Lot 1239: 4 British Sporting/Equestrian Horse Racing Engravings & Book

Grouping of 4 British sporting or equestrian horse racing engravings in matching frames, depicting various scenes from 19th-century Doncaster races.  Includes book with 8 tissue-protected color plates, “The Story of British Sporting Prints” by Captain Frank Siltzer, Second Edition, 1929. Item 1: Doncaster Race aquatint, after James Pollard (English, 1792-1867) by C. Hunt and R. W. Smart. Depicts horses approaching the race’s start, and spectators in carriages. Text includes: “To the Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Turf and the Subscribers, this print representing the Horses starting for the great St. Leger Stakes, is most respectfully dedicated by their Obedient and much obliged Servants, S and J. Fuller. / London Published June 1, 1832 / S & J Fuller, at their sporting gallery, 34 Rathbone Place.” Behind glass in an ebonized wood frame with gilt paint. Sight: 16 1/2 in. H x 26 in. W. Framed: 26 3/4 in. H x 32 3/4 in. W. 1832. Item 2: Doncaster Race aquatint, after James Pollard (English, 1792-1867) by C. Hunt and R. W. Smart. Depicts horses racing past spectators and judges, with the following text: “To the Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Turf and the Subscribers to the great St. Leger Stakes, this print representing the Horses passing the Judges Stand, is most respectfully dedicated by their Obedient and much obliged Servants, S and J. Fuller. / London.” Sight: 16 1/2 in. H x 26 in. W. Framed: 26 3/4 in. H x 32 3/4& in. W. 1833.  Item 3: After Clifton Thomson of Nottingham (1775-1828), large aquatint titled “Panoramic View of British Horse-Racing/The Race for the St. Leger Stakes of 1812; on Doncaster Course.”  Ebonized wood frame with gilt paint. Sight: 28 1/2 in. W x 23 1/2 in. H. Framed: 33 in W. x 26 1/2 in H. 18. Mid-19th century or earlier. Item 4. After John Frederick Herring (1795-1865), aquatint, including text: “Birmingham, the Winner of the Great St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster, 1830 / 68 Subscribers – 28 Started. By Filho da Puta, dam Miss Craigie by Orville. The Property of Mr. Beardsworth, To whom this Print by Permission is most respectfully dedicated by the Publishers, J.F. Herring and S. & J. Fuller.” Sight: 19 1/2 W x 16 in. H Frame: 33 in. W x 26 1/2 in H. 1831.

PROVENANCE: Private Knoxville Collection.

CONDITION: All pieces in overall good condition with toning, light foxing, and some scratches to frames.  Item 3 has a faded copyright line with no discernible date. None have been examined out of frame. Book is in overall good condition, with inscription from 1930.