Trade Card Bearing the Name of the Late Gunmaker John Knubley (1750–1795)

John Knubley|Anonymous, British, late 18th–early 19th century

ca. 1795–1804 · Engraving · Drawings and Prints

In the late eighteenth century, craftsmen in London used customized engraved trade cards, similar to the modern-day business card, as a means of advertising their services and qualifications to potential clients. This trade card bears the name of John Knubley, gunmaker to the Prince of Wales and other members of the royal family. Knubley is believed to have trained and employed Samuel Brunn, the gunmaker responsible for the pair of silver-mounted Neoclassical pistols also in the Museum’s collection (1992.330.1, .2). The card, issued after Knubley’s death, was likely created by local businessman John Maullin, whose name appears on the card above Knubley’s. Maullin may have printed the card in anticipation of taking over Knubley’s business at No. 7 Charing Cross, a transaction that archival records indicate never came to pass.

Artist

John Knubley|Anonymous, British, late 18th–early 19th century

Date

ca. 1795–1804

Medium

Engraving

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of Bella C. Landauer, 1926