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Full Speed.

Date1845-1846

MediumLithography; printer's ink and watercolor on wove paper; Drawing; graphite on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 8 9/16 x 11 1/4in. (21.7 x 28.6cm)
Sheet (height x width): 9 11/16 x 12 1/8in. (24.6 x 30.8cm)

Credit LineMuseum purchase

DescriptionOn recto: A stagecoach drawn by four horses is careening down a dirt road towards the left. It has narrowly missed colliding with a smaller vehicle, drawn by a single horse, sending that horse and two male passengers into a pond or stream at the right. The four runaway horses have broken reins and are shown in a flying gallop. The driver and two additional men are in the process of falling off the roof of the coach. All wear coats; some wear top hats. The drivers of both vehicles hold long whips. Grass lines the road in the foregound. A rail fence extends into the water at the right. Fields bordered with hedgerows and small hills are in the left bacground. Nine birds fly in the sky at the far left.

On verso: A locomotive engine is shown in profile, facing left, apparently in the process of crossing a railroad trestle. Smoke issues from the smokestack. A sign on the engine reads: "PennsyLAinA". Two men are in the cab; one of the men has both hands on control levers. A third man stands on the car immediately behind the engine. A sign on this second car reads: "W RR".

Object number1994.4.0

InscribedOn recto, lithographed title beneath image, "FULL SPEED."

On verso, in pencil: lower center, "... Dexter D. Proc[tor?]" lower right, "1994-4-0-1-recto / 1994-4-0-2-verso".NotesSource Note: The visual source is a British cartoon or caricature, possibly by Thomas Rowlandson. (Finlay 4/12/2004)

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