‘This is the Fan mentioned in the London Magazine; it will be very useful at all meetings for nominating Members of Parliament, not only for cooling the Heats which may arise, but to show the nature of an arbitrary Monster.
‘Now is the Time when every British Fair
May turn Excises of all kinds to air.’
‘There is now published the third Edition with additions.’
The marriage of the Crown Princess with the Prince of Orange in 1734 was the occasion of much rejoicing, and the nuptials were celebrated with the greatest magnificence, the prince receiving with his bride the sum of £80,000 as portion. In an address to His Majesty from the loyal and dutiful citizens of London, the greatest glory, the brightest triumphs, the most distinguished prosperity are presaged from another alliance with that truly illustrious house, the house of Nassau; ‘from whence so many heroes have sprung, the scourges of tyrants and the asserters of liberty.’
The fan joins in the general congratulatory chorus; a view of the marriage ceremony in the French Chapel of St. James’s Palace is given; the King and Queen, with the royal family, are seated in boxes at the back.
There was an allegorical version of this event, in which the contracting parties appear in classic costume, with a bishop and other persons in the background in the costume of the period. In front Hymen lights his torch from that of Cupid. In other parts of the composition are seen: An infant embracing a lamb, a pelican in her piety, an infant Hercules killing serpents, etc. The whole surrounded by an orange border.
Several variations of this are extant, one omitting the orange-trees, with a border printed from another plate.
The following advertisement appeared in the Craftsman for July 7, 1733:—
‘Just Published
‘By Jonathan Pinchbeck, Fanmaker, at the Fan and Crown in New Round Court in the Strand; and sold by him, and at the Fan-shops of London and Westminster.
‘The Nassau Fan; or Love and Beauty Triumphant: Being an Encomium on the Nuptial Ceremony which will shortly be consummated between his Highness the Prince of Orange and the Princess Royal of England; adorned with the Pictures of those illustrious Personages, attended by Hymen, Fame, Minerva, Cupids, etc. Together with a copy of Verses and other Decorations suitable to the occasion.
‘N.B.—Beware of Counterfeits; the true original Nassau Fans having the name (Pinchbeck) prefix’d to the mount.’