1930 The Table d’Hôte - Water, I do declare with Worms in it!

This art postcard features a reproduction of Henry Thomas Alken’s 1838 illustration The Table d’Hôte – “Water, I Do Declare – With Worms in It”, a satirical scene from the popular Victorian comic narrative Jorrocks’s Jaunts and Jollities by Robert Smith Surtees. The image humorously captures one of the many misadventures of Mr. John Jorrocks, a loud and unrefined London grocer with grand dreams of sporting glory in the English countryside.

In this particular moment, Jorrocks is shown reacting in horror at the discovery of worms in his drinking water—a classic example of the exaggerated, farcical discomforts he endures while attempting to embrace rural high society. Alken’s illustrations, known for their animated style and sharp wit, brought Surtees’s eccentric characters vividly to life and remain iconic examples of early British sporting art.

Printed on a 1930s postcard, the image not only serves as a piece of comedic art history but also reflects a time when literary illustrations were widely appreciated and shared through ephemera like this. With its original caption and classic backstamp layout for correspondence and postage in the United Kingdom, the card blends 19th-century satire with early 20th-century charm—making it a unique collectible for lovers of literature, art, and vintage humor.

This postcard would look great framed, make a wonderful hostess gift, or make an excellent addition to any collection.

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