A FASCINATING collection of prints by the fun-poking forerunners of today's tabloid commentators is to go on display at Fairfax House in York.

More than 50 satirical prints have been lent to the Georgian house, in Castlegate, by York coroner Donald Coverdale, who has spent about 30 years amassing his private collection of the coloured engravings.

The prints, which go on display in the exhibition room from February 17 until the end of May, feature works by James Gillray, who was renowned for his savage satire. The display will kickstart a series of exhibitions themed around fashion.

Curator Peter Brown said: "They did enjoy taking the mickey out of some of the rather strange costumes and wigs people were wearing at the end of the 18th century.

"They liked poking fun at anything extravagant, or any member of society who had any social pretensions."

He said the visual jokes were the equivalent of today's television or tabloids and would be handed around clubs or societies.

Updated: 12:52 Monday, December 30, 2002