1800s Photographer Aims To Depict The "Five Stages Of Inebriation," Nails It

    In no way familiar to any gentleman who enjoys refreshing themselves of a Friday evening. HT Retronaut.

    Alan White
    by Alan White

    BuzzFeed News Reporter, UK

    The Five Stages of Inebriation (c. 1863-1868) by Charles Percy Pickering was possibly commissioned by a local temperence group.

    Via acms.sl.nsw.gov.au

    The State Library of New South Wales, which owns the pictures, says: "the photographs may also have been used by an engraver for illustrations."

    Via acms.sl.nsw.gov.au

    It's believed the man in the pictures is a model.

    Via acms.sl.nsw.gov.au

    And the library suspects this pose may have been influenced by an S.T. Gill watercolour.

    Via acms.sl.nsw.gov.au

    In 1866, NSW Premier James Martin introduced the Drunkard's Punishment Bill.

    Via acms.sl.nsw.gov.au