Maginn, James John

Introduction:

Erroneously recorded as 'J. L. MAGINN' due to the misreading of his stencil stamp, Irish-born JAMES JOHN MAGINN (ca.1811-1897) produced cut-work profiles of modest merit. Like many mid-century silhouettists, he made the transition to the relatively new art of photography. Unlike others, he also offered readings in the pseudo-science of phrenology: the measurement of bumps on the skull to predict mental traits.

Maginn's profiles are relatively rare; virtually all  are stencilled on the reverse 'J.I. MAGINN ARTIST'. All works are bust-sized or half-length with diagonal or slightly concave terminations. All are cut from black paper, all evidence uninspired bronzing. However, though never advertising the option, Maginn made a good cut-work copy with pencil detailing of a late 18th c. bust-size profile of a male wearing a cockaded fantail hat and pigtail. Housed in a papier-mâché frame, signed and sold at Bonhams (London) 24th November 1999; the original was likely by Mrs.Beetham.

How he previously generated income in Ireland is unknown, but aged 33, Maginn placed his first English advertisement in the DERBY MERCURY 6th March 1844, offering "AUTHENTIC HEADS OF THE PEOPLE BEING TRUE LIKENESSES...FOR ONE SHILLING EACH, taken by Maginn's and Shelmalcalder's (sic) Patent Machine at MR. MAGINN'S PROFILE ESTABLISHMENT...OPPOSITE THE ROYAL HOTEL, DERBY".

Four months later, a large advertisement incorporating the profile of a top-hatted man was placed in THE LEICESTERSHIRE MERCURY 27th July 1844 and again in August  offering "...a correct likeness in Bronze for sixpence...[and]...DITTO in Handsome Rosewood Frame complete two shillings...taken in one minute by MAGINN and SWCHELMALCORDER'S (sic) PATENT MACHINE".

Though the above newsprint comprehensively butchered the spelling of his surname, CHARLES AUGUSTUS SCHMALCORDER (1781-1843) was a well-regarded optical instrument maker and inventor. Born in Stuttgart in March 1781 and trading in London by 1800, his 'Physiognotrace' machine was patented in 1806. While tracing the outline of a sitter's profile, it could uniquely also cut out the profile, though perhaps because the apparatus was cumbersome, virtually no silhouettist advertised using one. "Wholly disabled by loss of sight and sickness", Schmalcorder was admitted to the Strand's Union Workhouse 10th December 1843. Discharging himself the same day, he was buried at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields (Camden) 19 days later, aged 57.

While advertisements and trade directories record Maginn solely Manchester-based between 1856-1866, after which he emigrated to the United States, it's probable he also regularly returned to Manchester between his 1844-1855 commercial endeavours elsewhere.

The MANCHESTER COURIER 1st February 1845 related "MR. MAGINN has reopened his PROFILE ESTABLISHMENT...". In the MANCHESTER TIMES in July, Maginn, doubtless trying to malign the competition, cautioned "...the public to be on guard against profilists who only produced caricatures or burlesques...". Between October and November 1845, he revisited his birthplace, where, in FREEMANS JOURNAL 14th October 1845, he offers the Dublin public "...splendid GOLD BRONZE likenesses worth Half a Crown for ONE SHILLING".

By 1847, the LEEDS MERCURY 10th July advertised an expanding repertoire for "MR. MAGINN the celebrated Profilist from Manchester...[offering]...Bronzed and Coloured LIKENESSES 6 pence, Coloured Miniatures 2 shillings 6 pence and other styles...[priced]...accordingly".

Photography and phrenology are first recorded as an additional part of his stock-in-trade in the SOUTH EASTERN GAZETTE 16th November 1852. From his "DAGUERREOTYPE PORTRAIT ROOMS...[in Maidstone]...MR.MAGINN Miniature Painter, Photographic Artist and Phrenologist...[offered]...Portraits from 5 shillings, Bronzed Profiles from 1 shilling. Evening Class Drawing Lessons, 6 pence EACH LESSON. Practical Phrenology...[for]...Persons wishing to have their heads examined, terms 2 shillings 6 pence".

Between December 1854 and November 1855, a final flurry of itinerant activity  saw "MAGINN'S UNRIVALLED PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAITS..." offered in Folkestone, Canterbury, Dover, Hastings and Birmingham, following which he settles in Manchester's bustling Market Street. Though it's unclear whether he continued cutting silhouettes, an advertisement in the NORTHWICH GUARDIAN 8th March1862 where "...MR. MAGINN from Market Street, Manchester...[offered]...likenesses for Broaches, Lockets &c. Works of Art copied and PORTRAITS FOR 1 SHILLING" might suggest he did.

Maginn's final advertisement appears in the MANCHESTER TIMES 26th May 1866, with "...Cartes de Visite Portraits 5 shilings per dozen for one month prior to leaving 31 Market Street". Aged 55, Maginn was also leaving England. Emigrating to the United States the same year, he and his family next appear in Chester, Pennsylvania in the 1870 Federal Census.

Maginn's family circumstances initially appear in the Rugby 1851 English Census. Doubtless 'on the road', Maginn, aged 40, is listed a "Miniature Painter". Aged 47, wife Elizabeth (ca. 1804-N/K) and elder son James Vincent (ca. 1838-1908) were recorded Irish-born. Son Joseph Henry (1848-1927) was Manchester-born. Daughter 'Amastyres' (1850-N/K) was born in York. Her name is so obscure that its sole similarity appears to be 'Amastris' , a 3rd c. BC Hellenistic queen and first woman to wield independent authority in the Mediterranean.

Next seen in the 1870 Federal Census, Maginn and both sons are "Photographers". Maginn's wife is now Irish-born 'Ellen' (1822-N/K). Presumably, his first wife and memorably-named daughter were dead.

In 1875, THE CHESTER BUSINESS DIRECTORY records Maginn a "Bookseller and Stationer" and younger son Joseph Henry a "Photographer" working from the same address. Elder son James Vincent operated as a lawyer and secretary of the Chester and Upland Building Association. THE JEFFERSONIAN 24th November 1877 reported him charged with embezzling $6,500 of the Association's funds. His former silhouettist father stood bond for $1500, after which James Vincent Maginn vanished. According to THE JEFFERSONIAN 3rd December,  "...friends feared suicide or murder". In fact, he absconded to New York, working as an artist there until his death in 1908.

Aged 87, James John Maginn was buried in Chester's St. Michael's Roman Catholic Cemetery 14th February 1897. His obituary appeared in the CHESTER TIMES the following day.

Revised 21 October 2024 (Brian Wellings)