High Mettled Racer – The Foal, 19th c. Antique Horse Print after Henry Alken

€ 880

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Mapmaker / artist: After Henry Thomas Alken (artist), after Thomas Sutherland (engraver), after S. & J. Fuller (publisher)
Technique: Color photomechanical print
Sheet size: 38.8 × 45 cm (15.3 × 17.7 in)
Reference: BG-13211-2

What the condition grades mean

Excellent: Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good: Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good: Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair: Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.

Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.

Condition

Very good. Light age toning and minor margin wear. Colors remain bright. Blank verso.

About this sheet

The High Mettled Racer – The Foal, after Alken, 19th century
A late 19th century color photomechanical print after Henry Thomas Alken’s equestrian series The High Mettled Racer. Originally issued in 1821 as hand-colored aquatints by S. & J. Fuller, engraved by Thomas Sutherland, the series followed the life of a thoroughbred horse as told in the popular ballad of the High Mettled Racer.

This plate, titled The Foal (Plate 1), shows the young horse alongside its dam, surrounded by gentlemen in riding coats and top hats. A hound at the front adds to the atmosphere of English sporting life. In the distance a country estate sets the rural backdrop. The scene conveys the early promise of the racehorse, highlighting both the elegance of the foal and the attention it draws from those who will train and handle it.

Framing tips: An ivory or pale cream mat will emphasize the crisp tones, while a slim dark wood or ebonized frame will give a classic equestrian presentation. This print pairs well with the other plates in the series for a narrative display.