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ALKEN, Henry.
The Beauties and Defects in the Figure of the Horse comparatively delineated.
Alken worked in both oil and watercolor and was a skilled etcher. His earliest productions were published anonymously under the signature of "Ben Tallyho", but in 1816 he issued The Beauties & Defects in the Figure of the Horse comparatively delineated under his own name. From this date until about 1831, he produced many sets of etchings of sporting subjects, mostly coloured and sometimes humorous in character.
- Published
- London: James Toovey, 1881.
- References
- Schwerdt I p.12 (1816 edition); cf. Tooley 20 (1816 edition)
- Plates
- 18
- Binding/Size
- S=8vo
- Value
- 0-5000
- Published
- London: James Toovey, 1881.
- Ref
- 729
Royal octavo. (10 5/8" x 7 1/4"). Decorative, uncoloured title, 18 chromolithographic plates after Henry Alken. Original green cloth-backed orange/light brown paper-covered boards, titled on upper board. An excellent copy of this later edition of Alken's survey with pen and pencil sketches of the Horse. First published in 1816 with hand-coloured plates, this work was intended as a guide to the good and bad points of that noblest animal "the Horse ... [for the use of ] ... breeders country gentlemen and ... inexperienced purchasers. ... [It was] the result of the most attentive observation during many years entirely devoted to the pleasures of the field" (Introduction). Coloured plates in order: 1. Horses' heads from different angles. (4 figs) 2. Horses heads. (4 figs) Facial expressions of: rage / terror / sulking etc. 3. Horses' heads from different angles. (4 figs) 4. Horses legs. (8 figs) Showing assorted legs that display; hard work / strength / badly formed / weak etc. 5. Horses legs. (7 figs) Assorted figures intended to show the back off forelegs etc. 6. Horse's bodies. (4 figs) Showing; Neck & Shoulders / Breast etc. 7. Horse's bodies. (4 figs) Showing: Flanks & Thighs / Tails etc. 8. Horse's bodies. (3 figs) Showing the Hindquarters etc. 9. Side view of a fine-looking chestnut horse. 10. The Trot. 11. The Running Trot. 12. The Canterer, or Lady's Horse. 13. The Gallop. 14. The Hunter's Gallop. 15. Leaping (1). 16. Leaping (2). 17. The Bucking Leap. 18. The Fly Leap.
