Election Entertainments, etc.
Hogarth's subscription-book, with the names of all, and autographs of most of the subscribers, is in my possession; and by this it appears that the subscription to the first print of an Election Entertainment, or to the complete set, commenced 28th March 1754. From this time to the 31st of May in the same year, there were 461 subscribers to the first print, and 127 to the complete set. The leading names on the list are the Prince of Wales, the Princess-Dowager of Wales, and Prince Edward; but the first person that has any money annexed to his signature is the Right Hon. Henry Fox, afterwards Lord Holland.
The subscription for the remaining three prints was opened 24th Feb. 1755, and closed 28th August 1756. To this there were only 165 subscribers, so that there were 296 names to the first print who did not continue to subscribe to the other three.
As a receipt to these prints, he gave the following engraving, with emblematical devices of Crowns, Mitres, etc., published in the year 1736, as a headpiece to an inscription expressing his gratitude to the Legislature for passing the Act to protect prints from piracy, etc.:—
Crowns, Mitres, Maces, etc.
"Received 4th May 1754, of Mr. King, 5s., being the first payment for a print representing an Election Entertainment, which I promise to deliver when finished on the receipt of five shillings and sixpence more. Wm. Hogarth."
"N.B.—The price will be raised when the subscription is over."
Second state—Receipt for one guinea, being the first payment for the four prints. In this, the receipt for 5s. appears to have been covered with paper while the impressions were taken off, and that for a guinea, engraved on another piece of copper, stamped beneath.
Third state—Receipt for 15s., being the first payment "for three prints representing the polling," etc.
Four Prints of an Election.