Portrait of a gentleman traditionally identified as William Pitchford (1596-1659), bust-length, in a black fur-trimmed coat with lace collar, holding a baton in his right hand

William Pitchford, the youngest son of Thomas and Joan Pitchford, was born at Lee Brockhurst, Shropshire. He was a haberdasher in London and by the time of his death had accumulated considerable property in the capital and Shropshire. He was survived by a wife and three daughters. The fur-lined coat he wears in the present lot suggests that he was Master of the Haberdasher's Company.