Life of the Race Horse.

Rare. The complete series of lithographs for John Doyle's Life of the Race Horse, published between 1822 and 1823. John Doyle (1797-1868), an Irish artist from Dublin, won a gold medal from the Royal Dublin Society's drawing school. His love of horses and fine eye for detail, led to commissions by the Marquis of Sligo and and the Irish Viceroy, Lord Talbot, to produce equestrian prints. The present set, produced in 1822 is probably the finest example of his work in this field. It's scarcity can be partly gauged by its absence from such reference works as Dejager, Menessier, Mellon, Schwerdt, and Siltzer.

The images comprise: 1. Foal and Dam; 2. The Yearling; 3. Backing the Colt; 4. Training. The Gallop; 5. Watering; 6. Going a Sweat; 7. Sweating; 8. Rubbing. After a Sweat; 9. Feeding.

Later, Doyle became known for his satirical prints issued under the initials 'H.B.', constructed out of 2 J's and 2 D's. His sons included the renowned artist, Richard Doyle, and one of his grandchildren was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes.

First edition; landscape folio (59.5 x 40 cm); complete set of 9 original lithographs printed by Charles Hullmandel after drawings by John Doyle, light toning to edges, tiny closed tear to lower edge of plate 9 (not affecting image), no title-page issued; modern red morocco-backed cloth boards, a very good example.

Charles Lane (British Sporting Prints 1700-1940), pp. 99-100.