Start for the Derby; and Winning the Derby, 1851

Details

Samuel Henry Alken (1810-1894)
Start for the Derby; and Winning the Derby, 1851
the first, signed 'H.Alken' (lower right), inscribed and dated 'Start for the Derby 1851' (lower left) and further inscribed and dated 'Teddington/the Property of John Massey Stanley Esqr/winner of the Epsom Derby/1851' (on the reverse); the second, signed 'H.Alken' (lower right), inscribed and dated 'Winning the Derby 1851' (lower left) and further inscribed and dated 'Teddington/The property of John Massey Esqr/1851' (on the reverse)
oil on canvas
15 x 21 1/8 in. (38.2 x 53.4 cm.)
(2)a pair

Provenance

probably, commissioned by Sir John Massey Stanley Errington, 12th Baronet (1810-1893), 1851.
with Edward Speelman, London, 1996, where acquired by the present owner.

Brought to you by

Brandon Lindberg

blindberg@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2095

Lot Essay

Sir Joseph Hawley’s Teddington, trained by Alec Taylor and ridden by Job Marson, won the 1851 Derby by two lengths at 3-1 odds. The painting of the finish shows Marlborough Buck beaten by two lengths in second, with Neasham another length away in third. Interestingly this pair of paintings appears to have been commissioned by Sir John Massey Stanley Errington, who befriended Hawley in Italy and who is credited with having developed the younger man’s interest in racing. Errington's card, attached to the reverse of one of the pictures, lists his address as 31 Avenue Champs Elysées. Another pair of paintings by Alken of Hawley’s 1858 Derby Winner Beardsman was sold at Sotheby’s, London on 7 June 2006.

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