Readers with filing cabinets are advised to check behind them, pronto. It’s amazing what you can find. A Bic biro circa 1978; a ball of decaying rubber bands; a Bay City Rollers LP bought in a moment of madness and then shamefacedly hidden from colleagues. Or perhaps a series of raunchy cartoons, drawn in the early 1800s and later suppressed when society buttoned up during the pursed-lipped reign of Queen Victoria.

The saucy scribbles in question – 40 of them – were recently discovered between two filing cabinets during a clearout at the Ministry of Justice.

Among other things not suitable for disclosure in a family publication, they show Napoleon sneaking a peak at two bare-chested cavorting lovelies, and an image representing the famously large and amorous Duke of York, Prince Frederick, in carnal embrace with his very petite wife. The latter cleverly represents only the feet (pictured), in a technique that has been copied many times. The cartoons were drawn by the famous 18th century caricaturist James Gillray. It is thought they may have been seized by the authorities and stored in what was then part of the Home Office. There they remained – until they were discovered by MoJ staffer David Pearson (an art enthusiast, appropriately enough). The cartoons are now on display in the Reading Room at the V&A in London.

Don’t take grandma.