May 25, 1796 art work by H. Humphrey of new Bond Street, London; J.S.Gy. d. el.f, plate 33. [x=#8220/]The Grand Signior Retiring[x=#8221/]. The satirical piece depicts an overweight and plump Prince of Wales looking into the bedroom of [x=#8220/]Lady Jersey[x=#8221/], with her husband holding open the bedroom curtains, with a map of the Guernsey Islands above the Sir Jersey head. The Guernsey islands are 30 miles off the coast of Normandy, France, and have been under British control since about the 1200s. In Roman times, they were known as Sarnia. The isles were [x=#8220/]governed[x=#8221/] by a captain (later a [x=#8220/]Governor[x=#8221/]) who acted on behalf of the Crown. Here, the locals, clearly under the massive control of the Crown, had to cow-tow to every command, here referencing the taking of the Governor[x=#8217/]s wife. The political system was abolished in 1835. About the time of this engraving, St. Peter Port was a significant privateering locale, which may have been the target of the Prince of Wales. More research necessary on this fascinating subject. 12 x 18[x=#8221/], fine. City: State: Date:1976