Details
Creator Imbert, Anthony, 1794 or 5-1834, lithographer.
Title Fixing a block-head to the Constitution or putting a wart on the nose of old ironsides. [graphic].
Publisher New York : Lithog. of Imbert, 104 Broadway
Publisher N.Y. New York. 1832
Date [1834]
Physical Description 1 print : lithograph ; sheet 34 x 51 cm (13 x 20 in.)
Description Satire of President Andrew Jackson who is represented as a figurehead that is being placed on "Old Ironsides" (i.e. the ship "Constitution") by African American sailors. The white commander, attired in uniform with his back to the viewer, stands beside a bucket of grog and offers the sailors a "double allowance of grog." To the right, eight African American sailors, portrayed in racist caricature and speaking in the vernacular, hoist the figurehead up with ropes. In the left, two African American sailors steady the base of the figurehead with rope and one remarks, "...dey'd better run him up to the yard arm like dey do de pirate." The figurehead of Jackson, who was often criticized for his broad interpretation of the constitutional powers of the executive branch, holds a paper inscribed "My interpretation of the Constitution." In the right, a white man military fifer and a white man drummer play the "rogue's march" instead of "Hail Columbia." Cartoon references the event in July 2, 1834, when mariner Samuel W. Dewey decapitated the figurehead in the middle of the night. The figurehead of Andrew Jackson was added to the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) in March/April 1834.
Is referenced by Weitenkampf, p. 26
Notes Title from item.
Incorrect publication date of 1832 supplied by Weitenkampf.
Originally part of American political caricatures, likely a scrapbook, accessioned 1899. Collection primarily comprised of gifts from Samuel Breck, John A. McAllister, and James Rush.
RVCDC
Description revised 2023.
Access points revised 2021.
Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of the Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Biographical / historical note Imbert, a pioneer of lithography in New York City, printed city views and also painted marinescapes.
Subject Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845 -- Caricatures and cartoons.
Constitution (Ship)
United States. Constitution.
African American men -- Caricatures and cartoons.
African American sailors.
Presidents -- United States.
Racism in popular culture.
Ship figureheads.
Geographic subject United States -- Politics and government -- 1829-1837.
Genre Lithographs -- 1830-1840.
Political cartoons -- 1830-1840.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| Political Cartoons - 1834 Fix [5760.F.73]
Accession number 5760.F.73