Africa miscellanea

George Baxter (1804-1867), colour printer, was born on 31 July 1804 in Lewes, Sussex. He attended the Cliffe House Academy and St Ann's High School before he was apprenticed to a wood engraver. Baxter developed innovative ideas for colour printing, and in 1836 received a royal patent for his printing process. Over the next twenty-five years he produced a vast and varied collection of prints, which included work for the large missionary societies. However, growing financial difficulties led to his bankruptcy in 1865. He died on 11 January 1867 at his home in Sydenham.

An illustration 'printed in oil colours by G. Baxter' and published by J. Snow. The original work was produced in 1842, and was used as the frontispiece of Robert Moffat's 'Missionary labours and scenes in Southern Africa' (London, 1846). This is probably one of a series of prints of the picture that were sold to raise funds for the mission.

The provenance of the collection is unknown.

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