Fans illustrative of the ‘tender passion’ naturally form a large class, and may be divided into the following groups:—
1. Satirical and Amusing.
2. Pastoral, Social, and Fancy.
3. Subjects from Classic Mythology, as ‘The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche,’ ‘The Theft of Cupid’s Bow,’ ‘The Offering of Love,’ etc.
Maps of the affections were common both in this country and on the Continent, and are invariably designed on the principle of the Italian fan, ‘Il Paese del Matrimonio,’ referred to page 269.
The following advertisement appeared in the Craftsman for January 13, 1732-3:—
‘Daniel Chandler, Fan maker in the Strand over against Southampton St., who invented and sold the Lilliputian Fans,[164] and Variety of other pleasant Fans, is now provided with a Parcel of fashionable Fans, neatly mounted, representing the map of Tender, which may afford Entertainment both for Ladies and Gentlemen who are Tenderly inclined, and disposed to be agreeably merry.
‘These fans and Mounts are likewise sold by Michael Burnet, Fan maker, at the Hand and Fan, over against Friday St. in Cheapside.’
On the same date, Saturday, January 13, 1732-3, Pinchbeck announces the ‘Courting Fan Mounts.’
‘An Embleme of the Four different Stages of life finely delineated in seven hieroglyphical Figures. Being a lively representation of the Address of young Lovers, the Raptures of a new-married couple; the reciprocal Harmony of Antient wedded companions; and the abject, wretched state of an Old Maid. Illustrated with a Paraphrase, on each cut, which serves as a Key to the whole.
‘N.B.—At the abovesaid Place may be had all sorts of Fans and Fan-mounts of the newest Fashion, and at the lowest prices, wholesale or retail.’