Thomas Isaacs b. 1813

Also known as Thomas Betton
  • Artist (Printmaker)
Originally convicted of larceny and sent to seven years transportation, Isaacs soon bought his own lithographic press and established his own business, executing landscapes, drawings and commercial lithography.
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lithographer and printer, was born at Mile End, Essex. His original surname was Betton and he was a lithographic printer by trade. In February 1832 he was found guilty at the London Gaol Delivery of larceny (he had confessed to stealing prints) and was sentenced to seven years’ transportation. Despite good behaviour in the hulks, his conduct in the transport York , which arrived at Hobart Town in December 1832, was considered bad. Nevertheless, the unmarried 19-year-old Isaacs was immediately assigned to the police office as a messenger and was promoted constable in August 1834. The following year Isaacs committed a felony and was sent to Port Arthur. Despite his early troublesome behaviour, he was given a ticket of leave in August 1838 while working in the Midlands. He received his free certificate in 1842 when employed by William Gore Elliston, editor and publisher of the Hobart Town Courier . Some time after this Isaacs returned to his trade, working for various Hobart Town lithographers before establishing his own business.

Describing himself as 'Late Workman to J.S. Prout, Esq., and Messrs. T. Browne and R.V. Hood [qq.v.]’, Isaacs announced in the Hobarton Guardian of 5 April 1851 that he had just received a lithographic press from England of 'The latest and most approved construction, and of larger dimensions than any hitherto used in this Colony, (selected by J.S. Prout, Esq., from the celebrated establishment of Day and Sons)’. He was therefore offering to execute landscapes, drawings and portraits as well as all aspects of commercial lithography.

Known work is of high quality. The Hobart Town Courier of 13 September 1851 described H.M. Brig Swift as 'a very spirited nautical lithographic print’. Similarly, Chalmers Free Church was referred to by the Hobart Town Courier of 21 February 1852 as 'a very good lithographic engraving’. Only three other lithographs by Isaacs have been recorded. He printed a plate for the supplement to the Hobart Town Advertiser of 25 August 1851, a View of the Triumphal Arch Erected…To Welcome His Excellency Sir W.T. Denison, on 25 August, 1851 ; he lithographed a portrait of Sir John Franklin by Alfred Bock after Negelen (n.d., probably 1850s); and he executed one of the three versions of the New Market Hobart Town for its artist and publisher, Knud Bull , in 1852.

Writers:
Stilwell, G. T.
Date written:
1992
Last updated:
2011

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