Title

The late Mr. A.J. Mason.

Author

Author not identified.

Source

Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney) 18 April 1831 - ongoing

Details

23 August 1858, p.5, col.3.

Publication date

23 August 1858

Type

Obituary

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

THE LATE MR. A. J. MASON.

We regret that we had to record in our columns last week, the decease of Mr. A. J. Mason, engraver, formerly of London, who during a residence of nearly two years in Sydney, obtained the esteem and friendship of all who knew him. Mr. Mason came to this colony, by medical advice, on account of his failing health, and the change of climate doubtless tended in some measure to prolong his life.
We feel that a man of his attainments should not pass from among us without more notice than a brief advertisement, and are only fulfilling a duty in presenting our readers with a few particulars of the career of nearly the last representative of the old school of wood engravers; only two of Mr. Mason’s contemporaries being now alive; and we are sure that this memorial in a distant land, will be gratefully regarded by the large circle of artists and literary men who knew and esteemed him in England.

This gentleman was born in Goswell Road, Lonsdon, April 5th, 1794. He lost both parents before completing his ninth year, and was sent into Devonshire for education in the autumn of 1803. In the course of 1803, paying a premium of one hundred guineas, he was articled to the late Mr. Robert Branston, wood engraver, for seven years, at the expiration of which time he remained with the gentleman as an assistant for five years more. Mr. Mason married in 1815 a niece of Mr. Branston, his preceptor in the art. In the years 1819 and 1820, while with Mr. Branston, he was concerned in numerous bank note experiments. Mr. Mason engraved for some months wholly on brass. In 1821 he commenced wood engraving, professionally, on his own account. In 1822 he published a volume of poems, which met with favourable notice, with the Press of the time. The work was illustrated with engravings by himself, after engravings by Mr. Thurston, and was printed by Mr. W. Keene, at present Government Inspector of Coal Mines in this colony. In March 1826, Mr. Mason was elected a member of the Royal Incorporated Artists, for the establishment of an annuity fund, in London, to which he belonged at the time of his decease; and in September, 1827, was chosen a member of committee of management of the London Mechanics Institution. In February, 1828, he delivered a private discourse to about forty of its members on the history and practice of wood engraving; in concequence of this he was invited, by the Royal Institution of Great Britain, and London Institution, to prepare a public lecture on the same subject. In the course of preparation for his public lectures, he became acquainted with several distinguished scholars and antiquaries. May 15th, 1829, he delivered his first lecture at the Royal Institution, before the first literati of the country, and on the 27th, gave the same lecture before the London Institution. In the months of June and July, he delivered his full course of four lectures at the London Mechanics’ Institution. On the 15th of July, 1829, he was admitted an honorary member of the London Mechanics’ Institution, and received, subsequently, votes of thanks from that and other institutions where he had lectured in London.

In November, 1829, Mr. Mason called from London with his family for the United States, and arrived at New York December 8th of that year. He took with him numerous letters of introduction and testimonials from public institutions, and individuals, with whom he had been connected: Lord Broughan, Dr. Birkbeck, Mr. London, the horticulturalist, J. S. Buckingham, the oriental traveller, the late Mr. Northcote, R.A., Professor Pattison, Mr. Wakley, Mr. Ackermann, and others. In May, 1830, he was elected an associate of the National Academy of Design of America, and in April, 1831, delivered his course of lectures to that body. In January, 1832, he repeated his lectures to the National Academy by request; and in June, the same year, he was elected professor of wood engraving to the National Academy of Design. In the autumn of the same year, Mr. Mason received an invitation to lecture in Boston; and in November and December delivered his course to the Society for diffusing useful knowledge in that city.
In 1839 he returned to London, universally respected by the artists and literary men of America. Shortly after his return he delivered his course of lectures on several occasions in London and the provinces; he was a member of two societies of artists, taking an active part in various capacities in their management; he remained in England till the summer of 1856, when he again ventured on a sea voyage and duly arrived per Vimiera, in Australia. Since being here he gave a lecture on the poetry of Shakespeare to a crowded assemblage at the School of Arts, and also twice attempted his favourite theme “The History and Practice of Wood Engraving but the subject failed to create sufficient interest to procure an audience.

His life terminated on the 18th of August, after a few days’ severe illness, leaving the partner of his youth, manhood, and age to mourn his loss, after an affectionate union of forty-three years. Of eight children three sons survive, all resident in this city, one of them practicing the art of his father.

From personal knowledge of Mr. Mason derived since his residence here, and the numerous testimonials and letters in his possession from men of eminence in England and America, the writer can testify to his great fund of information, not only on matters connected with his art, but in general literature. His lecture on Shakespeare exhibited an intimate acquaintance with the beauties of that immortal poet, and a keen appreciation of the philosophy that lies hidden in his writings.

His conversation was singularly interesting, containing as it did personal recollections of most of the artists of the past age, with some of whom we believe he was on terms of considerable intimacy. He well remembered Berwick, the father of modern wood engravers, and some of the most eminent of the present professors of the art in England derived their first knowledge of the art under Mr. Mason’s tuition. From his entire unworldliness of heart and his unbounded love of his profession, he most probably lost many opportunities of acquiring wealth. But from his high integrity of character, his industry, and his intelligence, he gained that which is of more value – the respect and esteem of all who knew him.

Mr. Mason was buried on Friday last in the Cemetery in Camperdown, and was attended to the grave by his sons and grand children, with several gentlemen of this city, some of them artists, and others who took the opportunity of showing the last token of respect to this devoted servant of a humble branch, it may be of a graphic art, yet, undoubtedly, the most powerful in its effect on the public mind.

[Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney), 23 August 1858, p.5, col.3.]