The Queen's Matrimonial Ladder

Card folded in the shape of a ladder illustrated with a satirical account of the relationship between Queen Caroline and George IV. Entitled 'The Queen's Matrimonial Ladder' the card was sold to accompany the satirical pamphlet of the same name published by William Hone with illustrations by George Cruikshank. The card is printed with fourteen black and white woodblock engravings by Cruikshank each resting on a rung of a ladder. Entitled 'emigration, exculpation, imputation, alteration, acceptation, declaration, qualification, remigration, consternation, accusation, publication, indignation, coronation and degradation' the illustrations depict the mistreatment of the Queen by the King, including their infamous divorce trial.

The radical publisher and political satirist William Hone was best known for his victorious court battle against Government censorship in 1817. His association with the illustrator George Cruikshank began in 1811 and for several years they produced a number of highly significant satirical pamphlets that captured the public distaste for the Prince Regent and the Government.