George Gatcombe was a companion and friend of Phil Ebbutt, and through that fact came to us. He showed an early taste for drawing, was from the first a very rapid workman, and soon developed to an extent that made his work suitable for publication. We gave him an opportunity by the introduction of his work on Fun, in which he evinced a distinct capacity for the elegant in his social pictures. He made many illustrations for books; and did much at various times for "Hood's Annual." Some of his political cartoons, too, showed a distinct taste in that direction. He also produced several designs of a historical character. Gatcombe is a good all-round black and white artist.
Among the many other pupils and assistants who have passed through our studios, and proved themselves steady and accomplished artists, we must not omit to mention Harry Leighton, E. J. Wallis, who has lately turned his attention very successfully to landscape photography, Walter Williams, William Arrowsmith, and James Clark, who, like his fellow-pupil Frank Fricker, remained with us for over forty years.
[THE PRINTING OFFICE.]
With the object of printing our own "Fine Art Books," early in the year 1857 we decided to set up a small printing office, which necessitated our obtaining much more extensive accommodation than we at that time possessed. We secured a long lease of the premises, 110—at that time known as 53—High Street, Camden Town, and under the style and title of The Camden Press gradually built up a large printing and publishing business. During nearly forty years of varied experience in this branch of the business, we printed a great number of important works for other publishers, as well as our own. Amongst the very last of these was "Dalziel's Bible Gallery."
The Camden Press, where this book was printed, is now in the hands of Charles and Harvey Dalziel. It fully maintains its repute for high-class art work, after the manner of the old firm, but "running to numbers" such as were never dreamt of in the days of