The Sir David Kirch Collection of Skit Notes

S.W.Fores No. 9, for Justice, Revenge, Millions & Self, 5 Danish Skillings, Copenhagen, 7 September 1818, promising to pay ‘Messrs Public Justice & Virtue or Bearer, Five Danish Skillings, when the Diabolical Massacre & Robbery of the Danes, shall gave been properly atoned for, and when the injured Honor & Moral Justice of Britain, shall have been completely restored’, signed by Hamlet and Heartfelt Horror, with a vignette showing the bombardment of a city and a mockery of a coat of arms, and labelled ‘A New Arms for Algiers’, good extremely fine £100-£150

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Sir David Kirch Collection of Skit Notes.

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This note probably refers to the bombardment of Copenhagen, and seizure of the Danish fleet by the British in 1807 (the original note was produced in that year, this Fores notes being a re-print). It appears to compare the British to the Barbary pilots operating out of Algiers, who were well known for such unsolicited and violent behaviour.