Object of the Day: 1887 “Vanity Fair” Cover by “Spy”

From 1873 until 1911, the famous caricaturist, “Spy” drew the cover art for over two thousand issues of Vanity Fair Magazine. “Spy” was in reality, Sir Leslie Ward—the son of famed painters E.M Ward and Henrietta Ward, and the grandson of the renowned, James Ward. Though he came from a celebrated artistic family, Leslie, as one of eight children, received no specialized art training in his early life.


During his time at Eton in Windsor, Spy showed considerable artistic talent, and, soon, was being shown at the Royal Academy. Still, his father encouraged young Leslie to be an architect. After a grueling year apprenticing in an architecture firm, Leslie asserted himself and went on to receive training in the arts. His drawings earned him considerable attention, and, in 1873, he replaced the caricaturist “Ape” as the artist in charge of the covers for Vanity Fair Magazine.

His work was applauded and notable figures of the day were honored by his skillful and sympathetic cartoons. In his 1915, autobiography, Sir Leslie Ward said, “If I could sum up the art in a sentence it would be that caricature should be a comic impression with a kindly touch, and always devoid of vulgarity.” His drawings defined the art of caricature so much so that they are referred to as “Spy Drawings.” Three hundred of his original drawings hang in the British National Portrait Gallery.

This Vanity Fair cover from the November 12, 1887 edition is a classic representation of “Spy’s” work. Entitled, “First Lord of the Treasury,” the drawing reflects Sir Leslie Ward’s belief that caricature should not be forced or cruel, but should show “a good memory, an eye for detail, and a mind to appreciate and grasp the whole atmosphere and peculiarity of the ‘subject.’”

Today, Spy’s covers are highly collectable—just as they were at the time. Many of his covers were framed and proudly displayed. This particular cover is still in its original frame from C. Lamm and Company, 1890. The grace and simplicity of these covers makes today’s busy and loud magazine covers seem even more vulgar.