Daumier, Honore (France 1808-1879) Lithograph, Titled "Ma patrie, à moi? c'est la semelle de mes bottes....hélas je n'aurai bientôt plus de patrie." Initialed H.D. Published in: Le Charivari, October 30, 1842. Stamped GL for George Longstreet*. 
Weight:10oz. A man is pointing at his boots, indicating that they are his only homeland. Although Goullet and Biais had asked the journalist Albert Cler to edit the text for this lithograph, Daumier's original text was eventually used. This can be considered unusual since in most cases Daumier did not supply the text with the print. In this series Daumier describes the various emotional reactions of his fellow citizens when faced with precarious situations… the doorman, who when peeking through a keyhole, sees his wife being embraced by one of his tenants, the old gentleman remembering with wistfulness his conquests of long ago, when seeing some models in a window decoration, but most touching, the father from the provinces who purposely is not being recognized by his “established ” son when visiting the city. Daumier succeeds to show the bourgeoisie with humour but also with that certain touch of bitterness and at the same time endeavors to help us understand how much we are all fighting to climb up the social ladder, while often forgetting our roots and damaging our own self-esteem as well as that of our surrounding. Acquired from the estate of George Longstreet, a renown collector of fine original illustrations and prints whose collection has appeared in dozens of museums and exhibits over the last four decades. * George Longstreet Indicated in pencil on mat board, regarding this lithograph, "First Daumier I ever owned." 
Measurements: Approx. 12.75"x9.75" 
Condition: Great Condition with surface marks consistent with some display use and wear. Light smudges & creasing, yellowed cellophane tape residue. (please refer to photos). Mat board may have some pencil marks, smudges.