Gretna Green, or the Red-Hot Marriage. Oh! Mr Blacksmith ease our Pains-and Tye us fast in Wedlocks Chains. 18th.Century hand coloured Mezzotint engraving published by Robert Sayer Fleet Street London 17th March 1792. Probably after an original design by Robert Dighton. 25 by 35 pl. 26.2 by 36 sh. Some timestaining and rubbing, one small wormhole lower right, all to no real detriment. RARE.
The 1754 Marriage Act set the age of consent at 21 in England, but in Scotland couples could still marry from the age of 14. Many couples eloped to Gretna Green, just over the border, where the simple civil ceremony was performed by the local blacksmith over his anvil.