Joseph Swain, engraver

Joseph Swain, the principal engraver at Punch during the second half of the 19th century, engraved most of Tenniel’s designs. Tenniel’s blocks were composed of up to twelve pieces of wood mortised together. The pieces could be separated and distributed among different carvers in Swain’s workshop.

The subject matter of the wood engraving is the Franco-Prussian War and the end of the French Commune, presented by Tenniel in the guise of two competing and variously successful fire companies.