ID 1105703
Lot 145 | [RAWLINS, T.J. (fl. 1833)]
Estimate value
£ 15 000 – 25 000
The Meltonian: or, the pleasures of the chase developed. Elucidating a modern system of fox-hunting, as followed up in that Prince of Hunting Establishments...composing the Quorn Hunt ... by The Author of 'The Deccanite, or Hog-Hunter of India &c &c. Dedicated to Sir Edward Joseph Smythe, Baronet and the Shropshire Hunt. MDCCCXXXIII. Trinchinopoly: 1833.
The Schwerdt-Gloucester copy of a magnificent and elaborate album of hunting watercolours made for Sir Edward Smythe, and attributed to Rawlins. Although Schwerdt in his catalogue describes this series as unique, another example from the collection of Captain F. Parr was sold at Sothebys on 19 July 1928 for £2,800 to Sawyers. That example, while being slightly grander in its embellishment, had a number of the watercolours signed or initialled by Rawlins. The 30 lessons include How to go to cover .. to shew off ... to ascend a hill ... to clear a ravine ... to turn a somerset, each an amusing tale of a hunters progress. Of Rawlins, little is known although the dedication mentions 'though once a foxhunter myself, when no very distant neighbour of yours [Smythe], yet I have since emigrated to the East'. Whether there was any intent to have this work published is uncertain, but we do know that Rawlins is associated with Alken's work on Nimrod's Mytton and contributed 15 plates to Rawstorne's Gamonia. In this work he has proved himself an extremely competent artist. The watercolours were probably assembled and mounted in this album by Schwerdt. Bobins III, 1187; Schwerdt II, pp.344-346.
Folio (440 x 405mm). Manuscript on paper, 34 leaves, comprising portrait frontispiece titled the 'Real Meltonian', additional ornamental title with architectural border incorporating scenes of dogs, a fox and a hunt, title-page, dedicatory letter to Sir Edward signed 'Junglicus', and 30 oval watercolours depicting 'lessons' of hunting, each watercolour with title and full explanation below, all the leaves mounted on larger sheets of Whatman paper. 20th-century red morocco gilt, by Morrell, ruled and tooled in gilt with fox and hound cornerpieces, upper cover titled 'The Meltonian or the Pleasures of the Chase developed Original water colour drawings. 1833 Unpublished', gilt inner dentelles fox and horseshoe cornerpieces, gilt edges (extremities lightly rubbed). Provenance: Rt. Hon. The Earl of Carrington (sale Christies 1896 sold for £50) – Sir William Bass (bookplate; sale Sotheby's 1913, purchased by:) – C.F.G.R. Schwerdt (bookplate; his sale, 14 March 1946, lot 2243) – H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester (1900-1974; bookplate; sold in these rooms 26-27 January 2006, lot 708).
Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London United Kingdom | ||||
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