Thomas Mason

Colonial male from the 1840's who has been credited for producing a poster, but who may be the intended target of the poster. Apparently the target is a Methodist preacher who has lied, exploited convicts and is running for office!
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engraver(?) is cited in Mitchell Library as author of a crude poster c.1840 containing a praying skeleton and the text: 'The Praying Mantis or, Corpulent Lawyer! The Ex Clerk of the Course, now a Methodist Preacher! A Prayer of a Candidate for Launceston!!!/ Oh! Righteous God, grant that I may be Returned to the New Council. I admit to robbing the Widow and her Children; I admit my fiendish barbarity in getting David Richardson’s Back Larcerated [sic]; his flesh cut from his bones—placing an everlasting Stigma on an innocent unoffending fellow-creature; but I repent; I admit to having hired convicts, but do not do so now. My Overseer hires them for me. Then Elect me [sic] – I’ll be your Friend! and never do so more!’ In fact, Mason appears to have been the subject not the author of the libel (SEE Joan Kerr, Artists and Cartoonists in Black and White , Sydney, S.H. Ervin Gallery, 1999}.

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Writers:
Staff Writer
Date written:
1996
Last updated:
2007

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Related collections
  • Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW (collected in)
  • Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Sydney, NSW (collected in)