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DOS2005-PC-154
The Portraiture of Famous Old Partner
DOS2005-PC-154

The Portraiture of Famous Old Partner

Date1755
After work by Thomas Spencer (1700 - 1763/67)
Engraver Richard Houston (1721-1775)
OriginEngland, London
MediumMezzotint with etching and line engraving
DimensionsOverall: 13 1/4 × 15 3/4in. (33.7 × 40cm) Other (Plate): 11 3/4 × 13 7/8in. (29.8 × 35.2cm)
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1955-119
DescriptionInscribed below print: "Spencer delin.t / Houston fecit./ Old Partner was bred by Cha: Pelham Esq.r. And got by Jigg Son of the Byerley Turk, Partner's Dam was got by the Curwen bay barb, his Grand Dam by Old / Spot, his great Grand Dam by the Chestnut White Leg'd Lowther Barb Out of the Old Vintner Mare, which run in most parts of the Kingdom and beat the best / Horses notwithstanding she was a Brood Mare for Years before she was taken into Training. Old Partner got a great many Noted Running Horses / &Mares & beat the following Horses at great Odds, Viz. Sr. Robt. Faggs Horse Baxter, Ld. Droghedas Horse Tipler & the Duke of Boltons Horse Sloven he beat twice. / Publish'd 10.th March 1755, / as the Act directs."
Label TextThis print is part of a set of twelve portraits of famous racehorses published by artist and engraver Thomas Spencer, who was a student of James Seymour, the most famous sporting painter of the 1750s. Six of the portraits were by Seymour and six were by Spencer. The prints, engraved by Richard Houston, with a decorative rococo border that would have made these prints stand-out when framed. CWF owns five of the prints - see 1955-117 to 1955-121.

Old Partner was foaled in 1718 and after a successful career as a racehorse, he became one of the leading stud horses in England and Ireland.

Inscribed below print:
Old Partner was bred by Cha: Pelham Esq.r. And got by Jigg Son of the Byerley Turk, Partner's Dam was got by the Curwen bay barb, his Grand Dam by Old Spot, his great Grand Dam by the Chestnut White Leg'd Lowther Barb Out of the Old Vintner Mare, which run in most parts of the Kingdom and beat the best Horses notwithstanding she was a Brood Mare for Years before she was taken into Training. Old Partner got a great many Noted Running Horses &Mares & beat the following Horses at great Odds, Viz. Sr. Robt. Faggs Horse Baxter, Ld. Droghedas Horse Tipler & the Duke of Boltons Horse Sloven he beat twice.