Satire.- Austin (William) Collection of 11 satirical prints, from an unidentified series, etchings with hand-colouring, the majority numbered in the upper right corner, each sheet approx. 320 x 420 mm (12 1/2 x 16 1/2 in), all laid down onto paper or card support, some marginal losses and restored nicks and tears, some toning and surface dirt, all unframed, 1773 (11)

⁂ Drawing master, engraver, caricaturist; sold new and old prints, drawings and drawing materials, and framed and repaired pictures.

In 1747 was apprenticed to George Bickham jr, then worked for Thomas Major; recorded in list of eminent painters in Universal Magazine in 1748; his earliest known work appears to be trade-card for Bingeant, gold chaser, dated in 1751 in Heal collection (Heal,67.24), in early 1760s in business with Gerard Van der Gucht in Hanover Square; 1764-7 he was based at the former Brawn's Head Tavern in Bond Street. Seems then to have worked primarily as a drawing master after 1766 although in 1776 he exhibited for the first time at the RA. Like many drawing masters he visited Bath and his visit in 1778-9 is well documented. Later in his career ran other print shops, including the Patriotick Print Rooms in St James's Street, where in 1785 he was selling terracotta busts of Whig leaders as well as prints. By 1797 was living in Brighton where he died. [BM website]