ALKEN, Henry

Specimens of Riding Near London

London: Published by Thomas M'Lean, 1823. Item #01689

Alken's Rare Satire
Successfully Transplants Horse's Ass to Rider's Seat

ALKEN, Henry. Specimens of Riding Near London. Drawn from Life. London: Published by Thomas M'Lean,. Repository of Wit and Humour, No. 26, Haymarket, 1823.

Second edition. Oblong folio (8 3/4 x 12 3/4 in; 222 x 323 mm). Printed title and eighteen hand-colored engraved plates.

Late nineteenth century half red roan over red cloth boards, ruled in gilt. Rectangular red roan gilt lettering label, bordered in gilt on front board. Spine with two raised bands, paneled and lettered in gilt. Clean tear in the inside margin of the seventeenth plate (just touching image) expertly and almost invisibly repaired. A few other small marginal tears neatly repaired. Some very minor marginal spotting or soiling to the margins but still a near fine copy. Plates watermarked 1821 and 1822.

A classic example of Alken’s early mastery of sporting satire and observation, depicting the varied equestrian scenes and social types encountered on the riding grounds and roads surrounding Regency London. The plates combine technical accuracy in horsemanship with Alken’s characteristic wit, capturing both the elegance and absurdity of fashionable riding culture in the capital’s immediate environs.

Published by Thomas McLean at his celebrated Haymarket Repository of Wit and Humour, the work belongs to the golden age of English sporting prints, when hand-colored aquatints were produced for a discerning urban clientele. The second edition testifies to the popularity of the subject and Alken’s growing reputation in the early 1820s, shortly before his most celebrated hunting and coaching series.

An attractive and historically evocative sporting book, valued both for its lively plates and for its documentation of Regency leisure and landscape at the edge of London.

The Plates:

1. One of the comforts of riding in company. H. Alken 1821.
2. Symptoms of Things going downhill. H. Alken 1821.
3. The pleasure of riding in company. One would stop if the other Could. H. Alken 1821.
4. Preparing for the Easter Hunt (I shall be over Jack). H. Alken 1821.
5. The Consequences of having plenty of company on the Road. H. Alken 1821.
6. A thing of the last consequence. H. Alken 1821.
7. Delighted. S. Alken del et sc. Augt. 1, 1821.
8. Perfectly satisfied. S. Alken del et sc. Augt. 1, 1821.
9. Dissatisfied. S. Alken del et sc. Augt. 1, 1821.
10. Surprised. S. Alken del et sc. Augt. 1, 1821.
11. Displeased. S. Alken del et sc. Augt. 1, 1821.
12. Terrified. S. Alken del et sc. Augt. 1, 1821.
13. 'Taste - View near Knigtsbridge. (Bound as frontispiece). Drawn and Engraved by S. Alken Septr. 1, 1821.
14. Lords - View in Hyde Park. Oct. 1, 1821.
15. Yeomanry of England paying a visit. H. Alken del et sc. 1821.
16. Fancy - View near Grays Inn Road. Drawn and Engraved by S. Alken Septr. 1, 1821.
17. Folly - View near Acton. Drawn and Engraved by S. Alken Septr. 1, 1821.
18. Knights - View in the City Road. Oct. 1, 1821.

Tooley 52.

Price: $6,500.00