Jealousy de CRUIKSHANK, George - 1835

London: Thomas McLean, 1835. Hand-colored etching. Small 4to (10¼" X 8"; image size 9¼" X 7"). Near fine. This delightful hand-colored copperplate etching depicts an enraged, scowling Beethoven lookalike seated at a table, a "Dear John" letter on the table under his fist. Devil figures perch on his shoulders, whispering in his ears, suggesting different scenarios of betrayal. At lower left one tiny Lothario figure embraces a seated female; at lower right a woman descends a tiny ladder into the outstretched arms of another Lothario; one tiny figure kicks out a footstool and hangs himself, the end of the rope held by a devil lying at the edge of the table; on the fireplace mantel, below a screaming tea kettle, two tiny figures duel and one flies backward through the air, shot. Artfully colored in blues, yellows, browns and pinks. At lower left, outside a thin double rule, fine print notes "A. Crowquill" as designer and "G. Cruikshank" as etcher. At lower right is noted "Pub'd. Aug't. 1st 1835, by Thos. McLean, 26, Haymarket." This handsome example is framed in a decent vintage 13" X 11" wood-and-filigree frame. McLean published a variety of Cruikshank etchings, in a variety of formats. This early print is exceptionally well colored and is in exceptional condition.