The Portraiture of Spanking Rorger

Dateca. 1760

Publisher Henry Roberts (active 1730 - 1790)

After work by James Roberts (ca. 1725 - 1799)

OriginEngland, London

MediumEtching and engraving

DimensionsOverall: 8 1/2 × 5 1/4in. (21.6 × 13.3cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1961-259

DescriptionUpper right corner reads: "20"
Lower margin reads: "The PORTRAITURE of SPANKING RORGER./ The Property of S.r Edmund Bacon R.t of Norfolk./ He was a Horse of high Blood, Size & Beauty, got by the Devonshire Childers,/ and bred by the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Essex, who dispos'd of him when 3 Years/ Old to Sr Edmund Bacon, his Dame was got by the Duke of Rutlands Cyprus/ Arabian, his Grand Dam was Daughter to the Old Bay Arabian calld Spanker/ the Property of Esqr Pelham of Lincolnshire./ 1737 he won 20.L at Epsom, 1738 30.L at Norwich, 40.L Plate at Stamford, 40 Guineas at/ Chesterfield, 40.L at York, the Ladies 90.L at Lincoln, April 1739 being then the Property/ of Mr. Grisewood he won the Kings 100 Guineas at Newmarket after which he was/ dispos'd of to the Lord Visc.t Weymouth in whose Possession in the same Year, he/ won 50.L at Wells, 30 Guineas at Denbigh, 50 Guineas at Bridgenorth, and 40.L at/ Winchester, he was again dispos'd of 1741 he died in Running a Trial."
Label TextThe print comes from a collection of forty engravings after the work of James Roberts and engraved by Henry Roberts entitled "The Sportsman's Pocket Companion" published around 1760. Though the horses were drawn by James Roberts, they were likely after other paintings and prints of famous racehorses. The majority of the horses represented in the prints raced between 1708-1755. The collection was originally bound, but the title page stated that "This Work is Contrived that it may be Framed & Glazed in various Sizes, & will make most elegant & pleasing Furniture."

Verse:
The PORTRAITURE of SPANKING RORGER.
The Property of S.r Edmund Bacon R.t of Norfolk.
He was a Horse of high Blood, Size & Beauty, got by the Devonshire Childers,
and bred by the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Essex, who dispos'd of him when 3 Years
Old to Sr Edmund Bacon, his Dame was got by the Duke of Rutlands Cyprus
Arabian, his Grand Dam was Daughter to the Old Bay Arabian calld Spanker
the Property of Esqr Pelham of Lincolnshire.
1737 he won 20.L at Epsom, 1738 30.L at Norwich, 40.L Plate at Stamford, 40 Guineas at
Chesterfield, 40.L at York, the Ladies 90.L at Lincoln, April 1739 being then the Property
of Mr. Grisewood he won the Kings 100 Guineas at Newmarket after which he was
dispos'd of to the Lord Visc.t Weymouth in whose Possession in the same Year, he
won 50.L at Wells, 30 Guineas at Denbigh, 50 Guineas at Bridgenorth, and 40.L at
Winchester, he was again dispos'd of 1741 he died in Running a Trial.