Scraps, No. 1, New Series

David Claypoole Johnston was a printmaker, watercolorist, and illustrator, remembered mainly as a popular satiric commentator on American life. In 1829 Johnston began producing his graphic periodical Scraps, each issue of which contains four engraved plates featuring caricatures and vignettes addressing a range of subjects, including art, fashion, science, politics, and other social concerns. Contrary to this issue’s title page describing it to be the first in a “new series,” this booklet is the ninth and final issue of the "Scraps" publication. The four etched plates wryly examine several topics current at the time, including the Mexican-American War, the California gold rush, and the early but rising movement for women’s rights.