2022 January Memorabilia Auction - Closing Date 02/06/2022
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/6/2022
Original 1790 'The Blackheath Golfer' Mezzotint Print by Lemuel Francis Abbott - Pres. Taft Previous Owner
Extraordinary! This original 1790 mezzotint exemplar titled 'The Blackheath Golfer' is unquestionably positioned at the pinnacle of the crowded golf's fine art hierarchy, once proudly displayed in the residence of President William H. Taft. That's right; this specific print offered here was part of President Taft's personal collection ('Great Golf Collections of the World' - by McDonough p. 76)! This originally commissioned image of Captain William Innis in his long red coat itself is familiar, as Lemuel Francis Abbott's 'The Blackheath Golfer' and remains one of the most published images in the history of golf. This piece of history, the forerunner of so many which have followed, is the first edition print of not only Francis Abbott's painting, but first golf print known in existence, with the original print run of 50 (to ensure one for each member of Society of "Goffers" at Blackheath). The gentleman behind Innis is one of the retired local Greenwich, England sailors that were known to serve as caddies.
It is imperative to closely examine this piece to look for the key identifiers that are necessary to determine that it is in fact the seldom seen 1790 mezzotint that routinely sells for five-figures when it seldom comes to market. The telling publication titled "Olmans' Guide to Golf Antiques & Other Treasures of the Game" by industry leaders John and Morton Olman breaks down the five stages of prints in chronological order. This is detailed on page 133. Stage 1 (1790) states that the black and white mezzotint printing was done by Valentine Green (notated V. Green below the image on the right side) promptly after Francis Abbott's painting was finished and measures (17 by 23 3/4") and that there are less than 15 known to exist (of the original 50 produced 232 years ago). Examples of this first edition of the print commonly have two vertical creases running north and south only a fraction of an inch on the left and right side of the image, shown in Image 4 of this lot. This original print was the only mezzotint in black and white, with the other mezzotint prints of 'The Blackheath Golfer' produced in color by Will Henderson between 1914 and 1917 and in 1926 by Walter Cox. Later in the book mezzotints prints in general are examined. The close up, magnified view of 'James Balfour' or 'The Blackheath Golfer's eye "Note the characteristic grain caused by the mechanically roughened metal printing plate." The image itself is 17" x 23 3/4" Framed to 30"x 40 1/2" inside of frame - 18 1/2" x 26 1/4." We in fact took a look at this example under a magnifying glass and saw those mezzotint distinguishers. "The mezzotint allows for intricate shading, tones and texture, especially useful in depicting clothing. Please note that there is a jagged repaired tear running horizontally across the image located through the knees as the caddy as it extends across the print and is depicted in the third photo. This was merely the joining parts without using additional non-original material in restoration. The bottom left corner of the goldtone frame is damaged, shown in the first listing picture. These blemishes do not negatively affect the overall visual presentation unless viewed at a relatively close proximity to the print Original Valentine Green mezzotints of the Blackheath Golfer can be found at the USGA Museum in Far Hills, N.J., and the British Golf Museum in St. Andrews," Golf Heritage Society member John Fischer III wrote in his February 2019 article 'The Blackheath Golfer Revealed.' The fortunate winning bidder of this lot will be able to add their preferred display location to that elite list.
Click above for larger image.