Fratres in Malo: or Tim. Bobbin's Rap at the Pyrates - Thomas Sanders

A satirical 1771 etching by Thomas Sanders attacking the practice of literary piracy in the eighteenth-century book trade.

This etching, published in May 1771, functions as a visual and textual polemic against the book trade practices of the eighteenth century. The work, titled Fratres in Malo: or Tim. Bobbin's Rap at the Pyrates, depicts a group of booksellers whom the artist accuses of literary piracy. The central figure, Tim Bobbin (the pseudonym of John Collier), is shown in a state of distress, surrounded by individuals carrying bundles of books labelled with various locations and names. The composition is crowded, reflecting the chaotic nature of the dispute, with figures positioned in a cramped interior space that suggests a shop or warehouse setting.

The print is notable for its combination of visual caricature and extensive letterpress text. The verses below the image detail the specific grievances of the artist, naming various booksellers and accusing them of theft and unethical conduct. The figures are rendered with exaggerated features, a common convention in the satirical prints of the era, which sought to mock the subjects through physical distortion. The etching technique allows for a high degree of detail in the clothing, the stacks of books, and the expressions of the individuals involved.

Historically, this print provides insight into the copyright disputes and professional rivalries that characterised the eighteenth-century publishing industry. The work is a direct response to the unauthorised reprinting of Collier's writings, which were popular in the North of England. By using the medium of the satirical print, Collier sought to publicly shame his competitors and defend his intellectual property. The work remains a document of the social and economic tensions within the literary culture of the period, capturing the friction between authors and the trade networks that distributed their work.