James Marshall, Esq.,

Writer to the Signet

An Antique Print by John Kay, 1787

Print Title: James Marshall, Esq., Writer to the Signet - Antique Print by John Kay, dated 1787

Plate No. 111, Volume 1

Size: The size of the image to the plate edge is 10.9 x 16.2 cm. Overall print size including the margins is approximately 21 x 26 cm.

Provenance /Publisher: This is a plate taken from ‘A Series of Original Portraits and Caricature Etchings by the late John Kay, Miniature Painter, Edinburgh, Vol. 1’. Published by Hugh Paton, Carver and Gilder; To her Majesty Queen Victoria. Edinburgh 1837 (See the scanned image of the title page).

Authenticity: This is a genuine antique print.

Condition: Very Good. Suitable for framing. The print may have some minor foxing or browning, however this will mainly be confined to the margins and does not affect the image.

Biographical details: The biographical sketch that was printed with the portrait etching (in the 1877 edition) can be found here: http://edinburghbookshelf.org.uk/volume8/page390.html

About the Artist: John Kay (1742 –  1826) was a Scottish caricaturist and engraver. He was born near Dalkeith, where his father was a mason. At thirteen he was apprenticed to a barber, whom he served for six years. He then went to Edinburgh, where in 1771 he obtained the freedom of the city by joining the corporation of barber-surgeons. In 1785, induced by the favour which greeted certain attempts of his to etch in aquafortis, he took down his barber's pole and opened a small print shop in Parliament Close.

His etchings chronicled all walks of life in Edinburgh society at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. Having turned to etching relatively late in life, he produced many hundreds of original naïve and mostly humorous portraits of his fellow citizens.

Returns Policy: If you are not satisfied with your order we will gladly accept a return for refund or credit. If you wish to return goods you need to inform us within 14 days of receipt of your order. Please contact us first if you wish to return an item.