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

Art Historical Context

This engraving, created around 1795–1804, serves as a trade card for the workshop of John Knubley, a British gunmaker who lived from 1750 to 1795. Produced shortly after his death, the card likely continued to promote his established business during a period when firearms craftsmanship played a vital role in Britain’s military and sporting industries. Such cards functioned as both advertisements and calling cards, reflecting the growing commercial culture of the late Georgian and early Regency eras. As an engraving on a modest sheet measuring just 4½ by 3⅛ inches, the piece highlights the precision and accessibility of this printmaking technique. Engraving allowed for fine detail and multiple impressions, making it ideal for distributing professional imagery to potential clients. The work’s classification as ephemera underscores how everyday commercial objects were crafted with artistic care, blending utility with visual appeal. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Drawings and Prints, this card was gifted by Bella C. Landauer in 1926. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of trade, artistry, and personal legacy in early nineteenth-century London.

About the Artist

John Knubley|Anonymous, British, late 18th–early 19th century (British|British) · 1795 |1771 –1820 |1835

British, 1795–1820|