{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1138743"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1138743/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2010EK3500/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2010EK3500/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2010EK3500","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O1138743/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1138743","accessionNumber":"S.290-1997","objectType":"Print","titles":[{"title":"C.H. Simpson, Esqr. M.C. R.G.V. For upwards of 36 years, - with a distant view of his Colossal Likeness in Variegated Lamps","type":"assigned by artist"}],"summaryDescription":"This engraving shows the Master of Ceremonies, C.H. Simpson, on his Benefit Night at the Royal Vauxhall Gardens on 19th August 1833. The quaint Simpson, called by Thackeray: 'that kind, smiling idiot' acted as Master of Ceremonies from 1797 until his death in 1835. He was well known as a genial host at Vauxhall, and awarded himself the Benefit night, for which he would have received a percentage of the profits, and assured his patrons it was the first Benefit night given at Vauxhall.  When the gardens closed for the season on 9th September Simpson issued a bill announcing his retirement and noting that: 'the immense portrait of myself, in proper costume, so much admired at my Benefit, will be, for the last time, exhibited in variegated Lamps, and also, that my own figure, in Fire Works, will appear very beautiful, and bow as representing life.'\n\nC.H. Simpson did not retire in 1833 but enjoyed another Benefit the following season, on 21st July 1834 when he also announced his retirement, but resumed his duties there again in 1825, the year of his death.","physicalDescription":"Coloured engraving showing C.H. Simpson, holding a top hat and walking cane in his left hand, shaking the hand of the Duke of Wellington, watched by a number of well-dressed men and women. Behind them is the figure of Simpson in lights.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Cruikshank, Isaac Robert","id":"A5186"},"association":{"text":"artist","id":"AAT25103"},"note":""},{"name":{"text":"Kidd, W","id":"AUTH340779"},"association":{"text":"printed","id":"x38483"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Printing ink","id":"AAT187371"},{"text":"Paper","id":"x30308"}],"techniques":[{"text":"engraving","id":"AAT53225"},{"text":"hand colouring","id":"AAT133555"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Engraving","categories":[{"text":"Entertainment & Leisure","id":"THES48959"},{"text":"Prints","id":"THES48903"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"T&P","id":"THES48602"},"images":["2010EK3500"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"004","id":"THES356741"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"prints","id":"AAT41273"}],[{"text":"engravings","id":"AAT41340"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"London","id":"x28980"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"19/08/1833","earliest":"1833-08-19","latest":"1833-08-19"},"association":{"text":"drawn","id":"x30545"},"note":""},{"date":{"text":"30/08/1833","earliest":"1833-08-30","latest":"1833-08-30"},"association":{"text":"printed","id":"x46159"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Accepted by HM Government in lieu of Inheritance Tax and allocated to the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1996","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"28.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"sheet","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"22.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"sheet","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"'To C.H. Simpson, Esqr. M.C. of the Royal Gardens Vauxhall, - this Print taken in the Sixty Third year of his age, on the Night of his benefit is by express permission most repectfully dedicated by his obliged and humble servant- the publishers'","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Bottom centre"}],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"C.H. Simpson (1771-1835), the Master of Ceremonies at Vauxhall Gardens, on his Benefit night, 19th August 1833. Hand-coloured engraving drawn by Robert Cruikshank, published by W. Kidd, 20 August 1833","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[{"text":"Simpson, C. 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