Baxter Print The Lamented Missionary. the Rev John Williams

“The Lamented Missionary. the Rev John Williams” (CL No 74) dated 1843. (8 3/4″ x 10 5/16″). Here the Reverend is pictured in his study. It is unmounted and there is no lettering. Indeed, the slightly shorter nature of this card indicates it was probably removed. One of the “Missionary” prints, Williams was depicted by Baxter eight times in different poses and settings. He was a good friend of Williams. Courtney Lewis has an extensive entry on page 143 of “The Picture Printer of the Nineteenth Century”. The image includes a script of William’s book and a letter from Prout, his biographer. It is an excellent portrait and the pictures here barely do it justice. Originally sold for 10s 6d. They are hard to distinguish from oil paintings. Indeed, in my research, I found a very well known auctioneer selling it as such and describing it along those lines! Another copy sold as per the attached sale result! Unframed, ready for a beautiful period maple moulding perhaps. Williams was killed at Erromanga, and subjected to cannibalism. A wonderful portrait showing quite the best features of Baxter’s work and processes.