HALL, After Harry (1815-1882)

The Merry Monarch. The Winner of the Derby Stakes at Epsom 1845. 138 Subscribers - 31 Started. Bred by Mr. Gratwicke got by Col: Peel's Slane (by Royal Oak, dam by Orville) out of the Margravine (Sister to Frederick; Winner of the Derby in 1829) bred in 1830, by Little John, her dam by Phantom out of Sister to Elector by Gohanna. The Property of Mr. Gratwicker. To whom this Print by permission is most respectfully dedicated by the Publishers

London: S. & J. Fuller, July 1845. Aquatint, coloured by hand, by C. Hunt, 'Minerva head' blindstamp, marked 'Proof' lower left. Image size (including text): 12 1/4 x 16 1/2 inches. Sheet size: 17 5/8 x 22 inches.

A very fine and rare proof print from the 'Winners of the Derby Stakes at Epsom Series', started by John Frederick Herring and ably continued here: "as a recorder of horses and the turf between 1840 and 1882, Harry Hall had no equal" (Charles Lane)

Harry Hall "lived at Newmarket throughout his life having a small stable-studio off the High Street... He is probably best known for the engravings of Derby, St Leger and Gold Cup winners published by a succession of London print publishers. The first was Fuller, followed by Moore and then Baily.... Hall was familiar with every level of the eccentric strata of the turf during his lifetime.... [and] all made their pilgrimage to his Newmarket studio to discover his views on racehorses of the day. In his own behaviour he was a quiet man, devoted to his wife and children... At the end of his life, photography was beginning to take the place of the portrait artist, but as a recorder of horses and the turf between 1840 and 1882, Harry Hall had no equal." (Charles Lane British Racing Prints pp.108-109)

Lane British Racing Prints p.109.

Item #5195

Price: $2,250.00