Current research has established that Benjamin Pearce 'the Elder' never existed and that photographer and profilist Benjamin Pearce 'the Younger' was in fact the 2nd son of 'artist' James Pearce (1800-1843).
As the career of BENJAMIN PEARCE (1831-1908) spanned more than 50 years from the mid C19th. into the early years of the C20th. commentators may have assumed there to have been a father and son combination. However, any cut-work attributed to Benjamin Pearce prior to 1850 should be dismissed as not by his hand, though prior to 1843 any cut-works signed 'Pearce' are likley the work of his father, shoemaker and profilist James Pearce
Revised: 27th September 2025 ( Brian Wellings)
Source: McKechnie (Author of, British Silhouette Artists and their Work 1760-1860)
Pearce, Benjamin, the Elder (McKechnie Section 1)