ALKEN, Henry

Miniature Sporting Prints

London: , 1827. Item #03364

ALKEN, Henry. Miniature Sporting Prints. [London: ca. 1827].

Small octavo. A group of eight exceptionally fine hand-colored etched plates, all window-mounted (3 1/8 x 5 3/8 inches; 80 x 135 mm.). (5 3/4 x 8 inches; 145 x 203 mm. with mounts).

Preserved in a green buckram chemise and matching quarter green morocco clamshell case by the Lakeside Press, Chicago. Spine with two sporting tools and longitudinal title lettering between two raised bands.

A fine group of eight highly unusual miniature scale sporting prints. Two show coaching scenes, one a horse fair, one fox hunters, another a man out shooting, two showing baiting sports watched by top-hatted men who all look slightly disreputable. The first of these two prints has the letters "H A" on a box being carried by one of assistants. The final print shows oriental cavalry and has a very small (5/8 inch) clean marginal tear. The title above is taken from the spine of the clamshell case which reads: ‘Miniature Sporting Prints by Henry Alken (circa 1827).'

Provenance: purchased from Spencer, London, 15 July 1937. Each print with the library stamp of Maxine and Joel Spitz on the verso of the mount.

Price: $4,000.00