This charming four-panel English beehive cartoon, drawn in pen and ink on hand-laid paper, likely dates to the late 18th or early 19th century and captures a whimsical scene with both humor and period detail. The sequence shows a group of boys attempting to distribute or move a beehive, followed by the inevitable comic chaos as they are swarmed and stung, ending with their exaggeratedly swollen faces—a classic visual gag.
Rendered with a light, expressive line, the cartoon may have served as a standalone humorous drawing, part of a satirical publication, or even as a schoolboy’s or amateur artist’s playful sketch. The use of hand-laid paper with visible chain lines and a textured surface supports an early date, and the style reflects the British tradition of narrative cartooning, popularized by artists like Thomas Rowlandson or George Cruikshank, though this work is more domestic and innocent in tone.
Whether created for print, teaching, or personal amusement, the piece is a delightful example of early English visual storytelling, blending rural life, childhood mischief, and a touch of slapstick into a single witty composition.
Condition: Fine condition with creasing and mild stains
