Une autre fois je fis encore un bon tour...... j’avais créé une société au capital de dix millions pour l’exploitation des tiges de bottes en carton..... je n’avais placé que huit actions représentant 1200 malheureux francs..... j’assemble mes huit actionnaires ! et je leur tient à peu près ce langage. Eh ! bonjour Messieurs les badeaux, Que vous êtes jolis, que vous me semblez beaux ! Je leur promets plus de fromage que de pain, je leur distribue un dividende de 50/00 je les chauffe un peu, et je laisse mijoter....... le lendemain on s’arrachait mes actions, je les place toutes et à la réunion suivante je dis: Dans le dernier compte, je me suis trompé, j’avais oublié le prix du carton et la façon, vous me redevez le dividende distribué, je vais le retenir......... je posai zéro et je retint le reste. Ah ! ah ! ah! ah (fait Bertrand) – hi! hi! hi! hi! (fait Wormspire.)
Une autre fois je fis encore un bon tour...... j’avais créé une société au capital de dix millions pour l’exploitation des tiges de bottes en carton..... je n’avais placé que huit actions représentant 1200 malheureux francs..... j’assemble mes huit actionnaires ! et je leur tient à peu près ce langage. Eh ! bonjour Messieurs les badeaux, Que vous êtes jolis, que vous me semblez beaux ! Je leur promets plus de fromage que de pain, je leur distribue un dividende de 50/00 je les chauffe un peu, et je laisse mijoter....... le lendemain on s’arrachait mes actions, je les place toutes et à la réunion suivante je dis: Dans le dernier compte, je me suis trompé, j’avais oublié le prix du carton et la façon, vous me redevez le dividende distribué, je vais le retenir......... je posai zéro et je retint le reste. Ah ! ah ! ah! ah (fait Bertrand) – hi! hi! hi! hi! (fait Wormspire.)
Title (alt.):
Once again I made another good trick...... I created a company with a capital of ten million for the exploitation of top boots in cardboard..... I had placed eight shares representing a petty 1200 francs..... I assembled my eight shareholders ! and I held forth in something like the following manner. Ah! Good day strolling Gentlemen, how handsome you are, how fine you seem ! I promised more cheese than bread, I would distribute a dividend of 50/100 I warmed them up a bit, and I let them simmer....... the next day they couldn't get a hold of my shares, I placed all of them and at the next meeting I said: In the last count, I was wrong, I forgot the price of cardboard and its fabrication, you must return the dividend I gave you, I'll remember.......... I put a zero and I kept the rest. Ah ! ah ! ah! ah (laughed Bertrand) - hi! hi! hi! hi! (laughed Woemspire.). Charivari
Description:
The text of this print is in parts alluding to the flattering of the fox in the falbe "The Fox and the Raven" by La Fontaine. Robert Macaire may seem to be a realistic figure, however one should remember that in reality he is an artificial personality, created in 1823 by Benjamin Antier for his play „ L’Auberge des Adrets“. The breakthrough came in 1834, when Frédéric Lemaitre used the names of Macaire and his somewhat simple partner Serres-Bertrand for his various comedies in Paris. The figure of Macaire goes back as far as 1371, when - as the legend goes - Aubri de Montdidier, a nobleman from the court of Charles V was assassinated by Macaire. The murder was vindicated by his dog, the only witness of the assassination. A duel between the dog and Macaire, who was armed with a cudgel, should settle the case. The dog killed Macaire, who confessed the murder before he died. Philipon was the author of all the texts of this series. It should be noted that Daumier did not monogram or sign the prints, presumable because Philipon wanted to document his position as author of the texts and as “inventor” of the series.
Copyright restrictions may apply. For permission to copy or use this image, contact the Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections Department, Brandeis University Libraries. The following credit line must be included with each item used: Benjamin A. and Julia M. Trustman Collection of Honoré Daumier Lithographs, Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections Department, Brandeis University.
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Place of origin:
Paris
Notes:
2nd state.
Published in: Le Charivari, November 15, 1838.
Notes (acquisition):
Donated by: Benjamin A. and Julia M. Trustman, 1959.
