The Cartoon Museum

A museum for political cartoons, comic strips and books. Founded 2006. Featuring an exhibition of Ronald Searle's life works. Located near the British Museum. Entry £5.50 or less depending on concessions. Verdict, small but bursting with potential and already well worth a visit. A gentle reminder of the perks of living in one of the world's greatest cities. I've decided to visit a 'different' museum on my Tuesday day-offs.

THOUGHTS:
I must admit I didn't know much about Searle before visiting the Museum, but it became quickly obvious that he is a living legend. Wiki describes him as being best known for creating St Trinian's School, but it's fair to say his work which spans seven decades has touched on every aspect of life. His 400+ cartoons drawn in secrecy as a POW during WWII while incarcerated in Singapore and River Kwai are phenomenal. The humour conveyed is subtle yet far-reaching, even in some of the more depressing illustrations. Several lighter-hearted cartoons are also on display, including a humourous take on cricket which I particularly enjoyed. The Museum also has a section detailing the chronological history of political cartoons which is worth the entry fee alone. A few familiar names such as George Cruikshank, Le Charivari, Punch and Private Eye featured prominently. I was surprised to learn that Henry Mayhew, the great Victorian London social reformer founded Punch, or that George III was nicknamed Farmer George by satirists to mock his interest in matters non-political, though in reality he did enjoy a bit of gardening. For more little surprises like that do pay a visit. It's just a block away from the British Museum.