‘Everything Comes To Him Who Waits’, 1896

Description

Pen and ink drawing, entitled ‘Everything Comes To Him Who Waits’, by the artist Richard Freshfield (“Fred”) Reynolds in 1896.

This caricature is a satire on the time it takes to produce the British Pharmacopoeia, believed by some to be outdated by the time of publication. The previous was published in 1885.

Dr. John Attfield, the editor of the British Pharmacopoeia, 1898, is depicted up a ladder working a printing press. An elderly skeletal figure covered in cobwebs, representing the British Pharmacopoeia, is shown emerging from the press.

The crowd in the background, including William Martindale and Peter Squire, are criticising Dr. Attfield for the length of time it has taken to produce the British Pharmacopoeia. Dr. Attfield replies; “Now we shan’t be long!!”. Dr. John Attfield (1835-1911), was also for 34 years Professor of Practical Chemistry in the School of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

There is hand written text on the reverse of the drawing, including: “Poor belated Br