Bagster, James, 20–21 Piccadilly, London, cm, upholder, looking-glass maker, tentmaker; carpet, bedding, cabinet warehouse manufactory owner (1782–1808). Trading from 1790–1808 at 20–21 Piccadilly, and in 1792 recorded as having a workshop at 7 Air St, Piccadilly. In 1791 he supplied furniture, including a carved and gilt looking-glass, to John Pinney of Bristol who considered this latter ‘too crowded with ornaments’ which he therefore removed. In 1794 he supplied ‘A cushing stuft with fine wool etc.’, costing £2 2s, to Mr Phillips of Langford Parsonage, near Maldon, Essex. Bagster subscribed to Sheraton's Drawing Book, 1793, and featured in Sheraton's list of master cabinet makers, 1803. He took out Sun Insurance policies in 1782 for £1,000 of which utensils, stock and goods accounted for £700; on 14 July 1792 for £500 of which utensils and stock in his workshop in a yard in Air St accounted for £250; on 9 July 1805 for utensils, stock and goods in trust in his shop and warehouse, for £1,000; and on 15 October 1806 on five houses in Baldwin's Gdn for £800. [D; poll bk; Furn. Hist., 1976; Essex RO, D/D Sp. A5; GL, Sun MS vol. 301, p. 634; vol. 389, ref. 602691; vol. 434, ref. 777625; vol. 437, ref. 795474]