Ganymede & Jack-Catch

This print was published by the caricaturists Matthew and his wife Mary Darly. The Darlys opened their print shop at 39 The Strand in 1766. They also encouraged amateur artists to produce 'carrick' (caricature) in the form of drawings and etchings. This one is initialled 'J.W.' in the bottom right hand corner.

Depicted are Samuel Drybutter, a bookseller in Westminster Hall, and Jack Catch, a fictional hangman. Drybutter was considered one of the leading 'Macaronis' in the 1770s. He was arrested on numerous occasions for attempted sodomy, a capital offence, but managed to escape prosecution. He was pilloried several times and suffered various physical attacks. In 1776 he appeared in the satire Sodom and Onan as Ganymede. In Greek mythology Zeus, the King of the Gods, fell in love with the shepherd boy Ganymede. The Darlys published two satirical prints featuring Drybutter under the pseudonym Ganymede. The first appeared in 1771. In this later version Jack Catch, shown holding a noose, says 'Dammee Sammy you'r a sweet pretty creature & I long to have you at the end of my string'. Drybutter, shackled in leg irons, replies 'You don't love me Jacky.' Jack Catch or Ketch was the popular nickname given to English executioners.