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"Phil" by Spy ( Leslie Ward )
Vanity Fair 21 February 1895 |
Philip William May was a caricaturist. He was born near Leeds and was the son of an engineer who died when May was nine years old. May worked in a variety of jobs before moving to London, and shortly afterward to Australia, when he was seventeen. In Australia he found work with the Sydney Bulletin, and in just three years produced over 800 drawings for the Bulletin. On his return to London in 1892 May drew for the St Stephen's Review; his studies of the London guttersnipes and coster-girls rapidly made him famous. He became a regular member of the staff of Punch in 1896, and in his later years his services were retained exclusively for Punch and The Graphic.
For full biographical notes on Phil May see part 1, and for earlier works, see parts 1 - 5 also.
This is part 6 of a 22-part series on the works of Phil May:
1896 Phil May's Illustrated Annual:
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| Front Cover |
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| Title Page |
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"Sy, Bill. wots 'is pedigree?"
"Why, 'es a Porter out o' a Third-Class Rileway Kerridge." |
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Fat Party (after a war of words). -
"If you come down our court to-morrer and bring a bit o' fat with yer, I'll bloomin' well eat yer." |
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Types I Have Met.
No.3. - Whitechapel. |
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A Mistake For Mamas to Chaperon their Daughters, if they at all Resemble.
Snooks on seeing his beloved's Mama.- "Great Scot! Will she grow up like that?" |
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Types of Waiters.
( Chez Julians ) |
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Street Musicians - High Street, Kensington.
"Come into the Garden, Maud." |
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A Pardonable Mistake.
Jew Hawker to New Woman.- "Can I thell yer a nithe pair of braithes?" |
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The Long Un.- "I think I shall go an' see my 'osses to-morrow."
The Short Un.- "Yes? Where do you keep 'em - Attenborough's?" |
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Jones to new servant whom he has sent out for haddock, the largest she can get for the money.-
"Great Scot! What's that?"
New servant.- "It's se'npenny one, but I got it for fourpence, 'cos it worn't quite fresh." |
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| Study for a Background at Newlyn. |
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It Must Have Been Awful.
Mrs. Baggs (after receiving tornado of abuse from over the road).- "Well, I never 'eard sich langwidge in all my life. I never was called sich names before. Even my own 'usband doesn't call me sich names." |
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| A Confession. |
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| "Why don't we have open-air cafés? So pleasant to take one's refreshment in the open air.- (Vide newspapers.) |
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Very Personal Friends.
"Ullo, Kite Face!"
"Wot Cheer, Puddin' Face!" |
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"What sort of bait are you usin', Billie?"
"A bit o' cheese rind."
"What are yer trying to ter catch - mice?" |
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| Distinguished individual (to shabby ditto in shocking bad hat).- "Where have I seen your face before? Let me see - it wasn't at Lincoln & Bennett's, was it?" |
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| Little Briggs.- "Dear me! What a comfort you'll be to your mother when you grow up!" |
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| "They all love Jack." |
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"Poor little feller. Are yer lost?"
"No-boo-hoo! But my Murrer is." |
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English as She is Spik.
Furious Frenchman (to 'Arry, who has just knocked his hat off "for a lark").- "Sacr´´! Eef I vood know ze Eengleeshe for ze Box, I vood blow your nose, by dam I am!" |
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Brother Brushes.
L. Raven-Hill.
Note: Leonard Raven-Hill ( 1867-1942 ) was an English artist, illustrator and cartoonist. |
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| Phrenologist (to Park loafer).- "Now, you're full o' nerves, you are. What you want is iron. You musn't drink beer: you must drink Burgundy." |
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Down in the World.
Alas! See what drink has brought him to. |
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| A Study. |
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Jocular Briton ( leaving French hotel ).- "Well, au reservoir, m'sieu."
Hotel Proprietor.- "Tanks!!" |
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| Joyful News. "Ow, I sy, Billy, fader says there'll be a penny off de income-tax nex' year." |
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| Untitled sketch. |
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"Does your poetry pay?"
"Well, it just keeps the wolf from the door."
"I suppose you read it to him." |
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A Yorkshire Man in Paris.
Mr. Watson (thro' Leeds).- "What's this 'ere Polly Burgesses like?" |
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Our Poet.- "There's a gold mine in my head."
City friend.- "Yes, and it's only been 'scratched'" |
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| Thief ( who is adopting a parrot, surprised at his power of speech ).- "I ax your parding, Sir. I thought you wos a bird." |
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Fat Capitalist.- "It's all very well for poor people to talk, but look at us City Men. Now, I can't sleep at nights, and I assure you I shall not remember to-morrow anything I have done today."
Needy Individual.- "You haven't such a thing as a pound about you, have you?" |
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'You Engleeshe you do not fight ze duel. Vat do you do ven you air insult?"
"Oh, we write to the newspapers." |
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"Oh! Smile upon my suit."
" I do, I do. I can't help it." |
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Overheard in a "mean Street" (Fact).
Scene- Two pals outside a pub, looking at a third in the immediate distance, bargaining with a sailor for a parrot..- "Woy! 'is missis jaws enough; wot do 'e want with a bloomin' parrot?" |
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"The Pot and Kettle"
'Arreit.- "Ow, I say, look at 'is bloomin''at." |
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| A Merry 'Xmas to you |
1897 Phil May's A.B.C. published by Leadenhall Press, London:
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| Front Cover |
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| Advertisement for other Phil May books |
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| Title Page |
