Linley Sambourne's career as an artist

1867 Punch magazine was founded by a small group of journalists and printers in 1841. It was one of the first satirical and political illustrated weekly magazines.  As it was not possible at that time to print from photographs, artists were employed to make drawings which were then engraved. Punch had a strong team of artists, including John Tenniel, Georges du Maurier and from 1867, Linley Sambourne from 1867.

1868-1869 Punch Cartoon - Mermaid: Sambourne had a gift for the grotesque or fanciful, which the editor encouraged him to develop. Women in strange costumes make up some of his best work during this early period. The cartoon satirises the extravagance of women's fashions.

1869 Punch Cartoon - Lady on a bicycle: Here the lady is riding side saddle. Punch liked to poke fun at women.

1869-1881 Punch's Pocket Book: This was an annual publication with an illustrated calendar and astrological tables requiring 10 or 12 illustrations. Framed sets of these drawings hang on the staircase walls of 18 Stafford Terrace.

1873 The Essence of Parliament - Letter F: One of Sambourne's tasks during the 1870s was to illustrate a regular article called the Essence of Parliament. His designs around the captial letter grew more fanciful each year.

1878 Punch Cartoon Working the points: Sambourne was promoted to the post of Cartoon Junior with John Tenniel as Cartoon Senior. Sambourne began to tackle more political issues.

1882-1883 Punch's Fancy Portraits: Sambourne also worked on another series called 'Fancy Portraits' in which he drew caricatures of famous people in costumes reflecting their special interests.

Punch Cartoon 1885 - The Puppy Class: Sambourne had a special gift at depicting politicians as animals. This was very popular with Punch readers.

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