Isaac Robert Cruikshank was the older brother of George Cruikshank, who from an early age was thought to be the more talented. A miniature painter, designer and etcher he occasionally linked up with his brother. His wit and skill were quickly recognized for his works of fantasy (Grimm's Fairy Tales, 1827), social satire (London Character, 1827) and (Days in London, 1828). His watercolours were once praised as "the best efforts of Gillray and Rowlandson may hardly compare with them."

Cruikshank made these designs in the Fairburn's New Characters series (London, Fairburn, Upper Holloway) c. 1840 which were prepared for the engraver.