{"product_id":"making-lancer-v6mxwp4u","title":"Making a Lancer.","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRare.\u003c\/strong\u003e There are examples of this print in the \u003cstrong\u003eBM\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eThe National Army Museum\u003c\/strong\u003e in the UK. The V \u0026amp; A has a reversed copy of this print with the print fixed to the wall behind the women significantly altered. There is also an example of this print in the \u003cstrong\u003eMet\u003c\/strong\u003e and at the \u003cstrong\u003eLewis Walpole Library.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA fine impression of a very striking satirical print in which the famous circus equestrian performer Louisa Woolford is shown dressed in a men’s lancers uniform with a false moustache while two men covertly look on. Woolford performed a controversial routine as the “young lancer” where she wore men’s military uniform, much to the discontent of some members of the audience.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe British Museum catalogue notes that Louisa Woolford was part of the famous Woolford circus family and from a young age performed in the family show. She made her debut at Astley’s Royal Amphitheatre in 1828 at the age of 14 and quickly became the most famous member of the family troupe. In June 1829 she played the part of the “young lancer” in Astley’s show descried in a playbill as, “The splendid entrée of the Female Cavalry! \/ \u003cstrong\u003eConsisting of a display of Manoeuvres of Horse, mounted by FEMALES ONLY\u003c\/strong\u003e, the ladies of the Establishment; the separate Exercises of the BROAD SWORD and LANCE will be gone through, as closely approximating those employed by a Corps of Lancers, which this Squadron represents…”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe BM catalogue goes on to quote a later review of Woolford’s act:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘There is, as usual, some excellent riding in the circus; \u003cstrong\u003ebut we must find fault with MISS WOOLFORD’s White Serjeant, not that it is ill performed, but that the character is ill chosen.\u003c\/strong\u003e Her most peculiar merit is, that \u003cstrong\u003eshe preserves a feminine grace and elegance in an exhibition which in every other female rider has been coarse and masculine–– purely female habits, therefore, suit her best: we would see her with no other arms than those which nature provided her, and least of all with that most unpicturesque of all war’s implements––a musquet.’\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eThe Examiner\u003c\/em\u003e 10th August 1834)\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Maggs Bros.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47844096999581,"sku":"261216","price":2400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0669\/0045\/9677\/files\/261216_01.jpg?v=1777372116","url":"https:\/\/store.maggs.com\/products\/making-lancer-v6mxwp4u","provider":"Maggs Bros.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}