“Race for the Goodwood Gold Cup” James Pollard (1792–1867)

“Race for the Goodwood Gold Cup”
James Pollard (1792–1867)
Published by T. Mc.Lean, Haymarket
Aquatint with hand-colouring
Circa 1841.
Framed & glazed

Measures:-
35.5 cm x 45.3 cm (image)
45 cm x 54 cm (framed)

Lettered beneath the image with the title "Race for the Gold Cup at Goodwood, Cup Value 300 with 100 Sovs. added. Mr. Johnson's Charles the XII beating Hyllus, Recorder & seven others." With the artist's details "Drawn & Engraved by J. Pollard".

The horse Charles the Twelfth (1836–1859) (here "Charles the XII") won the St. Leger in 1839 and beat Hyllus in the Goodwood Gold Cup of July 1841. He was a half-brother to the great Voltigeur.

There is no Mc.Lean publication line on this print - indicating that this is either a proof before final letters or a later impression with the publication line expunged. Some copies of this print carry the curiously dated text "London, Published by T. Mc.Lean, 26 Haymarket, Nov.1st 1836". Some of those marked as such are clearly later restrikes - especially in the light of the date of the horse Charles the XII's career. The print here definitely has age and it seems likely therefore that it is an original proof before final lettering, dating to the 1840's.

Rare. Not in BM, Paul Mellon Collection Yale etc.

Literature:-
p.222 Frank Siltzer "The Story of British Sporting Prints", London, Hutchinson & Company, 1925