DR. TORY (Member of Bamboozle College) – Conservative Commercial Humbugs. Rare Hull Political Election Broadside – Hull – c.1845–1847

Hull: B. Montgomery, Printer, 26 Lowgate, [probably c.1845–47].

Printed broadside, 21.7 × 17.8 cm.

A rare and highly entertaining example of nineteenth-century Hull political satire, issued in the guise of a quack medical advertisement and directed against Conservative electoral propaganda and political promises.

The broadside introduces the fictitious “Dr. Tory (Member of Bamboozle College)”, who offers for public consumption his celebrated “Conservative Commercial Humbugs“, supposedly capable of producing a variety of miraculous public benefits. Adopting the language of patent-medicine advertising, the text parodies the extravagant claims often associated with election campaigns and political patronage.

Among the benefits promised are the preservation of “all Abuses in Church and State”, support for “Corporate Corruption”, the removal of a hill, the construction of a railway thirty miles long, the provision of tea from China, and the distribution of coal to “Blue Voters”. The broadside further claims that these remarkable remedies surpass even the celebrated Dr. Morison’s Pills, one of the best-known proprietary medicines of the Victorian era.

Particularly noteworthy is the reference to a proposed railway “thirty miles long”. This may allude to one of the railway schemes then being promoted in the Hull district, possibly the projected Hull–Bridlington line, a route of approximately thirty-one miles that formed part of the intense railway speculation and political debate of the mid-1840s. While the precise occasion remains uncertain, the broadside is clearly rooted in contemporary local controversies and electoral politics.

The references to Blue Voters, the traditional colour of the Conservative interest, together with the title “Conservative Commercial Humbugs”, indicate that the piece was produced as anti-Conservative election literature. The mention of Scale Lane, one of Hull’s principal commercial thoroughfares, further anchors the broadside within the civic and political life of the town.

Political squibs and satirical handbills of this kind were among the most ephemeral forms of nineteenth-century printing, intended for temporary circulation during election campaigns and usually discarded immediately afterwards. Survivals are consequently uncommon, particularly when bearing explicit local references and a named provincial printer.

Printed by B. Montgomery of 26 Lowgate, Hull, the broadside represents a vivid survival of Yorkshire political culture during the age of parliamentary reform, municipal controversy and railway expansion.

An uncommon and visually striking piece of Hull political ephemera, combining electoral history, satire, local transport history and popular print culture.

Condition: Good overall. Trimmed, with staining, age-toning and handling wear. Complete, entirely legible, and displaying well.

Why Buy from Hornseys?

Established in 1976, Hornseys specialises in rare books, signed editions, manuscripts, historical documents and works of enduring cultural importance. From our gallery in Ripon, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, we serve collectors, institutions and bibliophiles throughout the United Kingdom and internationally.

Our reputation is built upon careful scholarship, accurate cataloguing and a long-standing commitment to authenticity, provenance and condition. Every item we offer is selected not simply for rarity, but for its significance within the history of literature, art, politics, exploration and collecting.

Expertise and Authenticity

Each book, manuscript or historical item is thoroughly researched and professionally described. We carefully examine points of issue, bindings, dust jackets, inscriptions, provenance and bibliographical references to ensure accuracy and authenticity throughout our catalogue.

Curated Collections

Our stock is individually chosen for rarity, condition, historical importance and collector appeal. We specialise in literary first editions, children’s books, modern literature, signed and inscribed copies, Churchilliana, fine bindings, rare maps and unusual historical ephemera.

Provenance and Scholarship

We place particular importance on provenance and collecting history. Wherever possible, our cataloguing traces ownership, associations and historical context, allowing collectors to acquire objects with genuine bibliographical and historical significance.

Customer Service

We aim to provide a professional and straightforward buying experience, from detailed cataloguing and high-quality photography to secure packaging and prompt worldwide shipping. We are always happy to discuss condition, provenance or collecting advice directly with clients.

Returns Guarantee

All items are offered with an unconditional guarantee of authenticity. Purchases may be returned within fourteen days of receipt for any reason, provided items are returned in the same condition in which they were supplied. We simply request advance notice of any return.

Explore Our Collection

Discover exceptional rare books, manuscripts, signed editions and historical material at Hornseys. With nearly fifty years of experience in the trade, we continue to offer carefully curated material chosen for rarity, condition, provenance and lasting cultural importance.