'The Convenience of Married Life'

Michael Burr's series of comic scenes covered a vast array of subjects, although his jokes haven't always survived all the intervening cultural changes. One theme to which he returned again and again was the marital condition, presumably because its universal appeal meant it sold well. This one is titled 'The Convenience of Married Life' and shows a wife mending her husband's clothes. I thought for a long time that he was handing over some housekeeping money in return but the form entered at Stationers' Hall — integral to the copyright process — makes it clear that he is only handing her the button for his trousers.

Photographed by Michael Burr of Birmingham.

Entered at Stationers' Hall on 27 March 1865. The accompanying form describes the photograph as: 'Photograph, "The Convenience of Married Life." Husband in trousers and shirt, handing his wife a button to put on.'