Sorry I'm a bit late with this, but I finally discovered that John Harkness died in Blackburn in 1898 aged 83.

Although he spent 50-odd years of his working life in Preston, Lancs (he was born in Carlise in 1814), he seems to have spent his latter years avoiding all attempts to trace him and he died in complete obscurity.

Two of his sons became printers after him, but this was at the end of the age of the street ballad.

I'm not sure what he was doing in Blackburn, but I seem to remember that a large part of his stock, including his collection of wood-cuts, was sold to a dealer in Blackburn, so maybe there's a connection there.

Anyway, 110 years late I know, but here's to you John.