Making the Most of £10,000 per Ann. by Saving Travelling Expences 1819

"Making the Most of £10,000 per Ann. by Saving Travelling Expences" is a satirical hand-colored etching by J. Lewis Marks from 1819, housed at the Art Institute of Chicago. The print depicts a caricature of an unnamed figure, likely a member of the British aristocracy, riding a velocipede, a precursor to the modern bicycle. This early cycling technology was a novelty at the time, and Marks uses it to humorously comment on the perceived extravagance of the wealthy, who could afford to travel by more comfortable means. The image's title and text reinforce this message, suggesting that the individual is using the velocipede to save money on travel expenses, while simultaneously highlighting the absurdity of this choice. The print's use of humor and its commentary on social class make it a significant example of British political cartoons of the 19th century.