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POLLARD, After James (1792-1867)
Epsom Races. Here they come. To the Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Turf, and the Subscribers this print representing the Horses passing Tattenham Corner for the Derby Stakes is most respectfully dedicated by their obedient and most obliged Servants, S. and J. Fuller
London: S. & J. Fuller, 2 June 1834. Aquatint, printed in colours and finished by hand, by R.W. Smart and C. Hunt. Image size (including text): 14 x 23 1/2 inches. Sheet size: 19 3/4 x 29 1/2 inches.
Early issue on Whatman paper. A fine image capturing the excitement of the moment during the running of the most famous classic race in the world of racing. Lane notes that this is one of a pair of prints, Siltzer and Selway both record a series of four.
Pollard here shows the scene as the runners turn into the finishing straight. The crowd is cheering and spectators on horseback urge their mounts on as they dash across towards the inside rails in an effort to get a view of the finish of the race.
James Pollard was the youngest son of the London engraver and print-seller Robert Pollard. He began work at the age of fifteen as a painter but quickly turned to engraving as well. In the 1820s his coaching scenes became both fashionable and lucrative. "A stream of coaching paintings followed, many of which he engraved himself. From 1821 he exhibited a small number of pictures at the Royal Academy and the British Institution which brought him more patrons. Between 1830 and 1840, Pollard also painted a number of racing pictures and some of the earliest scenes of steeplechasing on purpose-made courses, many recording the prowess of the few professional and more amateur riders of the day... [In all his work Pollard took great pains over accuracy, this is particularly true of his large scale works and] it is Pollard's large racing scenes which really take off and into which one can gaze and discover a microcosm of the turf" (Charles Lane British Racing Prints p.146)
Lane British Racing Prints p.150 (2 prints in the series); cf. SelwayJames Pollard 1792-1867 p.46 (variant title); Siltzer p.221 (4 prints in the series)
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#5173 $4,750.00 
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© 2002-2005 Donald A. Heald
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