An eminent judge of broom besoms!!! [graphic]Kay, John, 1742-1826, printmaker[1805]eng"Portrait of broomseller and centenarian John Tait; whole length, standing in profile to right, wearing a patched coat with a bag in the pocket and a broad-brimmed hat, carrying brooms under his left arm, holding a staff in his right hand."--British Museum online catalogueTitle etched below image.Copy of a print by A. Baillie after a drawing by W. Baillie. See: Catalogue of engraved British portraits preserved in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum, v. 4, page 242.For a later state with the number "220" etched below lower right corner of image, see: A series of original portraits and caricature etchings by the late John Kay. Edinburgh : Paton, 1877, v. 2, no. 220.Three lines of text etched below title: Old John Tait the besom maker who travelled the country begging and selling besoms till he arrived at the age of one hundred & ten years. Died in Jany. 1772 leaving Young John and 27 other descendants."From an original print by J.K."--At bottom of plate.Sheet trimmed within plate mark on top and bottom edges.