“John Bull in Egypt”, no information for this one. However, can be compared to 1888 Punch cartoon, and is probably of a similar age.

Image source: BradlyHardin.com

The Marconi Octopus Liberal Party - “Another tentacle or two and I’m done for!” published in Punch, or the London Charivari, on June 18th 1913.

The name ‘Marconi Octopus’ was derived from the Marconi Company who received a large  contract from the UK government to build six radio stations to ‘linking Britain to the Empire’ (1). The scandal involved three ministers — Sir Rufus Isaacs, Lloyd George and Lord Murray — who were accused of insider trading.

The cartoon above was published at the time of a charge of criminal libel against Cecil Chesterton, a publisher, (2) by Godfrey Isaacs, the Marconi Comapny’s director, went to court (3).

The court ruled against Cecil Chesterton and fined him a token £100 plus costs, which was paid by his supporters. Some supporters claimed the decision would have gone differently had Cecil’s lawyer aggressively gone after the accused ministers who were at the heart of the scandal. In the next issue of the New Witness, Cecil Chesterton repeated his allegations against the ministers, who still did not sue. (4)

For more information see: “The Marconi Scandal - 1912” by Parris & MacGuire and “The Marconi Scandal” on Wikipedia.

Footnotes & References:

Image Source: Altered from - Parris & MacGuire, “The Marconi Scandal” (see below) p.82 (Accessed: 3 Oct 2010)

(1) Parris, M. and K. MacGuire (2005). The Marconi Scandal - 1912: From Whitewash to Won’t Wash: the Marconi Octopus. Great Parliamentary Scandals: Five Centuries of Calumny, Smear and Innuendo. London, Robson Books.

(2) Cecil Chesterton published several articles accusing Rufus Isaacs and Herbert Samuel of insider trading (Wikipedia: The Marconi Scandal)

(3) ibid

(4) ibid

“Hints to canvassers at the General Election.”, W.K. Haselden, published in the Daily Mirror 26 Oct 1922 (Source: The British Cartoon Archive)

You must not say that Mr. Hustings Pollwell (marked X) once borrowed sixpence and did not pay it back - unless it happens to be true! 

But you may assert that he is going to ruin trade -
- bring wolves to your door -
- make savagery return to this country -
- cause a plague of octopuses on these shores - 
- and blow up the whole land

“Sleaze”by Peter Schrank, Published in ‘The Independent’ on the 7th Oct 1996. Relates to the ‘Cash for Questions’ Affair. See also: David Brown cartoon.

Image Source: The British Cartoon Archive - University of Kent

Boer War postcard (1899/1900)

Postcard from series ‘La Guerre du Transvaal’. Depicts Transvaal lion as biting British octopus. All other colonies in thrall to the octopus and entangled in its arms.

The caption says: ‘Tu as cette fois Albion, En face de toi un Lion’ (You have this time Albion, in front of you a Lion.)

Thank God for Byrne! (Cummings, 1961a)

Artist: Michael Cummings, Published: Daily Express, 30 Jun 1961
Source: BCA http://www.cartoons.ac.uk/record/MC0965 (Accessed: 6th April 2009)