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A series of original portraits and caricature etchings by the late John Kay

Original 215+-year-old antique etchings from various editions, circa 1784 to around 1810

Sheet and image sizes vary
Note: many of these plates have typical age-related condition issues, including browning of paper, foxing, cockling, etc.

Please click on a thumbnail for a view of the entire plate.

John Kay, 1742 - 1826. Caricaturist (Self-portrait)

John Kay began his career as a barber-surgeon before turning his hand to producing etched caricatures of his contemporaries. This self-taught artist's prolific output created an unmatched record of the citizens of Scotland's capital. Kay's simple, often humorous, portrayals provide a satirical commentary on Edinburgh society for which he was sometimes threatened with legal action. They offer a telling comparison to the grander images painted by established portrait painters. Kay sold his prints and miniature paintings from a shop at 10 Parliament Close. Within twelve years of his death his caricatures were published in a two-volume book, 'A series of original portraits and caricature etchings by the late John Kay', with a second edition following four years later.

[nationalgalleries.org]

 

Many of the prints we are selling have pencilled identifcations of the people in the caricature – but the pencillings are often illegible.
If you would like to see the text of Kay's book to identify the characters below, please click here

 
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-31

Adam Ritchie
Born 1683, Died 1789
Drawn from the Life

Entire sheet size (approximately): 6 x 9.875 inches

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$25
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-32

[Mr. Ralph Rylance]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 5.875 x 9.75 inches

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$25
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-33

[Edinburgh society members]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 9.75 x 5.75 inches

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$25
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-34

Dedicated to the Royal Edinburgh Light Dragoons

[John Adams, master of the Royal Riding Menagerie, Edinburgh]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 5.875 x 10 inches
stain right side

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$25
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-35

General Sir Ralph Abercromby, K.B.

Entire sheet size (approximately): 6 x 9.75 inches

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$35
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-36

[Francis, 7th Lord Napier of Murchistons, Major Clarkson, Major Pilmer]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 5.675 x 9.875 inches
some minor staining

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$35
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-37

[Captain Hind, 55th Regiment]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 5.75 x 9.875 inches

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$30
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-38

Three Captains of Pilate's Guard
[Pitcairn, Robertson, Pillaus]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 9.375 x 5.675 inches

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$30
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-39

[Sir James Grant]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 5.5 x 9.25 inches
some stains

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$30
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-40

[Sir Ralph Abercromby, K.B.]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 6.125 x 9.875 inches
minor foxing

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$30
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-41

Leith Volunteer
[William Grinly]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 6 x 9.75 inches
stain upper right

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$30
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-42

[Major General Alex MacKay]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 5.5 x 9.875 inches
minor foxing/staining

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$30
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-43

[Angelo Tremamondo]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 8.125 x 10 inches
with vertical fold, as issued

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$50
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-44

Sam. A Soldier I am for a Lady, what Beau was ere arm'd compleater &c

Entire sheet size (approximately): 8.25 x 11.25 inches
with center fold, as issued, some edge/corner wear

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$50
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-45

[Edinburgh notables]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 8.25 x 9.875 inches
with center fold, as issued

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$50
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-46

The Successful Candidate
[Prof. Andres Dalzel, F.R.S.]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 5.5 x 8.5 inches

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$25
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-47

Isobel Taylor
Aged 105, widow of John Alice

Entire sheet size (approximately): 7.875 x 9.675 inches
with center fold, as issued

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$35
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-48

[Mr. Dearall ?]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 3.5 x 4.675 inches

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$15
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-49

Patent for Knightdom

Entire sheet size (approximately): 6 x 9.875 inches
paper loss and thinning at top

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$25
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-50

[Archibald Campbell, Edinburgh Lawyer]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 8 x 10.875 inches
remnant of black backing paper at top of BACK

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$25
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-51

[Sir James Stirling, Lord Provost of Edinburgh]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 6 x 10 inches
some paper loss upper right corner

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$25
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-52

[Sir James Stirling, Lord Provost of Edinburgh]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 7.75 x 9.75 inches

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$30
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-53

[Lord Kames (judge), Hugo Arnold (advocate), Lord Monboddo (judge)]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 7.875 x 10.5 inches

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$30
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-54

[Provost Davy Steuart, Bailie John Lothian]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 7.375 x 9.5 inches

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$30
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-55

[The Hon. Henry Erskine, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 7.375 x 9.5 inches
remnant of backing adhesive on BACK top

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$30
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-57

[Barons of Exchecquer, Sir James Montgomery, David Stuart Moncrief]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 7.875 x 10.75 inches
remnant of backing adhesive on BACK top

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$30
original etchings and engravings from John Kay 1790s-1810 and later editions
REF: KAY-58

[Mr. John Wright, Lecturer on Law]

Entire sheet size (approximately): 7.675 x 9.75 inches

PLEASE CLICK ON ABOVE THUMBNAIL IMAGE TO ASSESS ANY CONDITION ISSUES
(THE DARVILL'S WATERMARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL ANTIQUE PRINT)

$20
   

 

Portraits/Famous People home page

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