Robert Clayton (born circa 1793) was an Irish wood engraver[1] who engraved the first postage stamp of New South Wales.
Robert Clayton | |
|---|---|
| Born | circa 1793 Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | Australia |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Family | Benjamin Clayton I (father) Samuel Clayton (brother) Benjamin Clayton II (brother) Benjamin Clayton III (nephew) |
Robert Clayton was born in Dublin circa 1793. His father was wood engraver, Benjamin Clayton I. He had two older brothers, Samuel and Benjamin, who were also engravers.[2]
Clayton first worked as an assistant to his father.[3] Later working with his brother Benjamin, Clayton contributed to the Dublin Penny Journal in 1834 and 1835. Also in 1835, he engraved a series of 13 "Views of Dublin and Kingstown Railway" after Andrew Nicholl. Clayton was a drawing teacher, and worked as a polisher of cut glass decanters. Walter G. Strickland describes Clayton as "idle and a ne'er-do-well"[2] who appears to have been convicted of "forgery and uttering stamps" with his son, Thomas, in February 1834.[3]
Clayton and his son travelled to New South Wales as free settlers, as they cooperated with the authorities, but were not permitted to leave the colony.[3] They travelled on the Royal Admiral 3.[4] Primarily, Clayton is thought to have worked with his brother, Samuel, who was also in Australia.[2] Clayton has a number of identified plates in the 1838 Picture of Sydney by James Maclehose.[3]
The first postage stamp issued in New South Wales, the 1p red stamp, from 1849 has been attributed to Clayton.[5][6] His date of death is unknown.[4]