Spy (Sir Leslie Ward, 1851-1922) (Lith.) — The Rt Hon We Baxter Mp ; Montrose. Issue 860. (First Edition Before the Bound Volumes. )

London: Vanity Fair, 1885. Original colour lithograph. 40 x 27 cm (15.75 x 10.6 inches). Good. Half inch tear in bottom edge and minor toning in margins, not affecting image. Dated April 25, 1885. Vincent Brooks, Day & Son (Lith.). Scarce. William Edward Baxter (1825 - 10 August 1890) was a Scottish businessman, Liberal politician and travel writer. Born in Dundee, Angus, Baxter was educated at the High School of Dundee and Edinburgh University. He was the son of Edward Baxter, a benefactor and reformer who had opposed the corn laws. He became a partner in his father's firm of Edward Baxter & Co. (afterwards W. E. Baxter & Co.). Baxter was Liberal Member of Parliament for Montrose Burghs from 1855 to 1885, and served under William Ewart Gladstone as Secretary to the Admiralty from 1868 to 1871 and as Financial Secretary to the Treasury from 1871 to 1873. He was appointed a Privy Councillor in 1873. He was also President of the first day of the 1883 Co-operative Congress. .