George Vane-Tempest, Marquess of Londonderry — 'the vice-commodore'

Signed Spy (Leslie Ward), this chromolithograph caricatures George Vane-Tempest, 5th Marquess of Londonderry, identified in the caption as 'the vice-commodore' — a reference to his yachting rank rather than any naval or political office. Ward renders him in profile: a broad-shouldered figure in dark frock coat and wide-brimmed hat, clutching a telescope or short cane, with ruddy complexion, ginger side-whiskers, and a heavy mustache exaggerated in the manner typical of Spy's gentlemanly ribbing. The aristocratic crown vignette at upper left signals the sitter's peerage. Londonderry is placed firmly in the leisured, sporting ruling class, his public identity reduced, affectionately, to a yacht-club title.