I discovered some smart pig art while looking for sources of free images recently. This pig is not just smart — he’s positively precocious. These colorful pig illustrations are from an old children’s book entitled ‘Precocious Piggy’ by Thomas Hood (1799-1845). The handsomely attired pigs were drawn by Tom Hood (1835-1874) – the author’s son. The full title of the book is: ‘The Headlong Career and Woeful Ending of Precocious Piggy‘.
Smart Pig Art Rediscovered
These color prints are a rare find in a book from the 1840’s. I found them in the public domain image collection of the British Library. The University of Florida provides a digital copy of the 3rd edition you can view online.
Partial Text of the ‘Precocious Piggy’ Poem
Where are you going to, you little pig?
“I’m leaving my mother, I’m growing so big!”
So big, you young pig. So young, so big!
What! leaving your mother, you foolish young pig?
Where are you going to, you little pig?
“I’ve got a new spade, and I’m going to dig!”
To dig, little pig! A little pig dig!
Well, I never saw a pig with a spade, that could dig!
Where are you going to, you little pig?
“Why I’m going to have a nice ride in a gig!”
In a gig, little pig! What! a pig in a gig!
Well, I never yet saw a pig ride in a gig!
Where are you going, you little pig?
“I’m going to the barber’s to buy me a wig.”
A wig, little pig! A pig in a wig!
Why, whoever before saw a pig in a wig?
Where are you going, you little pig?
“I’m going to the ball to dance a fine jig!”
A jig, little pig! A pig dance a jig!
Well, I never before saw a pig dance a jig!
Endnotes
The Headlong Career and Woeful Ending of Precocious Piggy – 3rd edition; in the University of Florida Digital Collections