FORES GALLERY
Samuel William Fores (1761–1838), the son of a cloth merchant, founded his business in Piccadilly, London as a publisher and printseller in 1783, specialising in hand-coloured, singly issued satirical prints or caricatures, and became one of London's leading caricature publishers. Fores published cartoons designed by James Gillray (1756-1815) and Thomas Rowlandson (1757–1827) among others, including Rowlandson's famous 'Comforts of Bath' series. He was particularly innovative in marketing his prints, selling them wholesale and retail, and was one of the first to hire out folios of caricatures for the evening. Fores also offered other services such as frame making and teaching etching, and he kept a large stock of art supplies. After the death of Samuel in 1838 the business was continued by his sons, George Thomas Fores (1806-1858) and Arthur Blücher Fores (1814-1883) as Messrs Fores, who traded from satirical to sporting prints. It continued to be run by the descendants of George Thomas Fores until well into the 20th century. In 1938, Fores & Co moved to 138 New Bond Street and in 1980 as Fores Gallery Ltd they moved from 29 Bruton Street to 15 Sicilian Avenue. In the early 2000s, Stephen Ling of Brackley, Northamptonshire purchased the remaining stock and continued to reprint the plates. Suffolk artists who exhibited with Fores include Tom Lewsey.