The Sinister (Or Left-Handed) Theatrical Duel

This woodcut engraving shows a duel with pistols that took place in Hyde Parke, London, on March 17, 1770, between George Garrick, an employee of Drury Lane Theatre, and comedian Robert Baddeley. The duel inspired a satirical article in the 1770 issue of Town and Country Magazine, called “History of Modern Dueling,” which used this engraving as an illustration. Even though the duel resulted in no injuries, the article used the dramatic and salacious event to criticize the practice of dueling to settle disputes.