Saved from Drowning

Honore Daumier (1808-1879), [Saved from Drowning], lithograph, plate 7 from the series Les Canotiers Parisiens, a sur blanc impression from the album, with binding holes at left (also published with letterpress verso in Le Charivari; Daumier Register 1029, second state (of 3); in very good condition, 10 x 7.5 inches.

A very good impression.

From the Daumier Register:

Original Text:
UN HOMME SAUVE MALGRE LUI.
– Mais puisque je vous dis que je sais nager et que je me serais bien tire de l’eau sans monsieur!….
– a ne fait rien… la loi est positive… vous devez payer vingt cinq francs a votre sauveur… par exemple, s’il vous avait sauve mort vous ne lui auriez paye qu quinze francs!….

 

Translation:
A MAN SAVED AGAINST HIS WILL.
– But I am telling you that I know how to swim and I could have pulled myself out of the water without the help of this gentleman!
– That makes no difference…. the law is quite clear… you must pay 25 Francs to your rescuer…. for example, if you had been dead, you would only have had to pay him 15 Francs.