UNRECORDED. We have been unable to locate another example of this print. The only reference to this print is in a 1919 Maggs catalogue (no. 375, as part of a large group of Napoleonic caricatures).
A very curious print featuring a real woman from Leeds who claimed to be pregnant with Napoleone’s child. Molly Applegarth is shown nursing her illegitimate child who is a tiny Napoleon-like figure.
The Sun (and a number of other newspapers) reported in November and December of 1803:
“A very singular circumstance has excited the attention of the neighbourhood of Leeds. A pregnant female, of the name of Applegarth, has actually made an affidavit before the Mayor of that town, at the instance of the parish officers, to the fol- lowing effect:— ‘That she had been employed at St. Cloud, in France, in the Palace of the First Consul, as an upper house- maid;; but was obliged to leave her situation in an early stage of her pregnancy, on the breaking out of the war, and that Bonaparte is the father of the child’”
The Madras Courier followed this up in May 1804 noting:
“This damsel has undergone several whimsical examinations touching the origin of this misfortune; their Worships in the neighbourhood begining to credit the girls tale, and as the nine months are expected soon to expire, the female curiosity of their Wives and daughters is all a gog for a peep at the Suckling Consul”
The woman in the print speaks to her baby:
My Dear your Pappa – is a gay deceiver – thats what he is – but never mind my darling – I am sure you are a chip of the old block – and if you grow up you’ll be a precious comfort for Old England.”
A number of other prints were produced that alluded to Molly Applegarth’s story including The Accouchment of Leeds, The Affecting Interview at Leeds and Molly put the Kettle on.
