MARCONI DISCLOSURES 1913 John Bernard Partridge PUNCH CARTOON PAGE

Original 10 1/2 inch x 8 1/4 inch Wood Engraved Cartoon page titled MARCONI DISCLOSURES from Punch, January 1, 1913.

Guglielmo Giovanni Maria Marconi (1874 – 1937) was an Italian inventor and electrical engineer, known for his creation of a practical radio wave-based wireless telegraph system.
The Marconi Scandal 1912-13 led many to draw unfavourable conclusions about corruption in British politics. It is believed that Lloyd George’s role in the scandal brought it to press and public attention. The scandal centred mostly around three Liberal ministers; Rufus Isaacs, Alexander Murray and David Lloyd George, who allegedly profited from an impending government tender.
In 1912 a lucrative tender was accepted by the Post Office which instructed the English Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company to develop, build and maintain a series of wireless transmitting and receiving stations across the British Empire.
Godfrey Isaacs; managing director of the English Marconi Company, was also the brother of Attorney General Rufus Isaacs. Under the influence of his brother, Rufus bought shares in the company’s American subsidiary at a favourable price. He allegedly informed the Chancellor of the Exchequer; David Lloyd George and the Liberal Party’s Chief Whip; Alexander Murray of the contract, which led both to purchase their own shares in the American Marconi. Murray also bought shares on behalf of the Liberal Party.

The cartoon is by John Bernard Partridge (1861 - 1945). An English illustrator born in London. Partridge was educated at Stonyhurst College, and after matriculating at the University of London entered the office of Dunn & Hansom, architects. He then joined for a couple of years a firm of stained-glass designers (Lavers, Barraud and Westlake), learning drapery and ornament; and then studied and executed church ornament under Philip Westlake, 1880–1884. He began illustration for the press and practised watercolour painting, but his chief success was derived from book illustration. In 1891 he joined the staff of Punch and, in 1910, became its chief cartoonist, replacing Edward Linley Sambourne. During his time at Punch, Partridge published several cartoons showing his support for the Suffragist movement. He was elected a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours and of The Pastel Society

Punch, or The London Charivari, was a British weekly magazine of humour and satire established in 1841 by Henry Mayhew and wood-engraver Ebenezer Landells. Historically, it was most influential in the 1840s and 1850s, when it helped to coin the term "cartoon" in its modern sense as a humorous illustration.

The page is in very good condition with light foxing. Reverse side mostly blank.