UNKLES, John (fl.1830-1840) — Cork
Lithographer. Produced Sketch explanatory of the position & movements of the Kings German Legion, and Hanoverian troops at the Battle of Waterloo, a plan of Farm of La Haye Sainte defended by the 2d Light Battalion of the King’s German Legion June 18th 1815 and two other plans for the 1837 volume of North Ludlow Beamish, ‘History of the King’s German Legion’ 1832-1837; Thomas Holt, Plan of the liberties or county of the city of Cork 1837; lithographs for John Lindsay, ‘A view of the coinage of Ireland’ 1839 — “the beautiful lithographic prints, 20 in number, executed by Mr. Unkles, of the South Mall, are highly creditable to his taste and skill” (Southern Reporter, 2 Mar 1839. Also known for bookplates, illustrations, etc.
Recorded in partnership as ‘Unkles & Klasen’ in 1834-1835, working for the French silhouettist Augustin-Amant-Constant-Fidèle Edouart, etc. He announced in 1835 that “after considerable difficulty and expense” he had set up a lithographic establishment “on such a scale of efficiency as will fully enable him to execute all orders with which he may be favored in the first style of the art … John Unkles would therefore hope that as he has been the first to introduce this elegant and interesting art into Cork, on the footing which it merits, his exertions will be appreciated and encouraged. He has very recently been in London, and has had the advantage of being in the principal establishments there, whose methods he has adopted, and can show specimens which he hopes will be considered creditable to his establishment, and to the art itself. J. U. therefore feels himself warranted in appealing with confidence for support, to an enlightened and liberal public … Maps, plans of estates, &c, charts, portraits, architectural, mechanical and other drawings, heraldry, music, fac similes, bank notices, checks, &c., receipts, labels, bills of lading, prices current, circular letters, law and military forms, cards of every descriptions, bill headings, &c., &c. — designed and executed on stone with neatness and despatch, and on very moderate terms” (Cork Constitution, 29 Sep 1835). Unkles was recorded among the Freemen of Cork, as a merchant. A loan of £50 from the Irish Reproductive Loan Fund in 1836 is recorded. Baron Spolasco, in his ‘Narrative of the wreck of the Killarney steamer’ 1838, noted (p.55) his thanks to Unkles, who had provided the illustrations at cost. His death was recorded in the Limerick Chronicle 11 Mar 1840 and he was succeeded by his widow Mary Unkles below. He was possibly related to the Irish-born James J. Unkles who was working as a land surveyor for the Ordnance Survey in 1851.
26 South Mall, Cork — 1834-1840
BM. BNA. Fincham. LHD. OSP.