The Portraiture of Starling

Dateca. 1760

Publisher Henry Roberts (active 1730 - 1790)

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

OriginEngland, London

MediumEtching and line engraving

DimensionsOverall: 8 3/8 × 5 1/4in. (21.3 × 13.3cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1961-254

DescriptionUpper right corner reads: "14"
Lower margin reads: "The PORTRAITURE of STARLING./ The Property of his Grace the Duke of Bolton./ He was bred by the Duke of Bolton and got by that Excellent Stallion Bay Bolton who was bred by Sr. Matthew Pearson out of/ a Daughter of Makeless and Grey Houtboy Son of Old Houtboy, who/ was out of a Royal Mare and the White Darcy Turk; Starlings Dam was got by a Son of the Brownion Turk, who got the Rutland Grey/ Grantham, his Grand Dam was Daughter of the Pulleyne/ Arabian, his Great Grand Dam was got by Rockwood/ Son of the Longsdale Tregonwell Mare, his Great Great Grand/ Dam was got by the Helmsley Turk./ 1731 he won the Purse of Guineas for 4 Years Old at Black Hanbleton April/ 1732 he won the Great Stakes 700 Guineas for 4 Years Old at Newmarket/ April 1733 he beat Mr. Panton's Mouse a 4 Miles Match 300 Guineas at/ Newmarket, he won the Kings 100 Guineas at Lewis & Lincoln & in Octr. at/ Newmarket, & April 1734 at the same place; after which he became/ the Property of Esqr. Leeds and was in very high Esteem as a Stallion"
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."

Lower margin reads:
""The PORTRAITURE of STARLING.
The Property of his Grace the Duke of Bolton.
He was bred by the Duke of Bolton and got by that Excellent
Stallion Bay Bolton who was bred by Sr. Matthew Pearson out of
a Daughter of Makeless and Grey Houtboy Son of Old Houtboy, who
was out of a Royal Mare and the White Darcy Turk; Starlings Dam
was got by a Son of the Brownion Turk, who got the Rutland Grey
Grantham, his Grand Dam was Daughter of the Pulleyne
Arabian, his Great Grand Dam was got by Rockwood
Son of the Longsdale Tregonwell Mare, his Great Great Grand
Dam was got by the Helmsley Turk.
1731 he won the Purse of Guineas for 4 Years Old at Black Hanbleton April
1732 he won the Great Stakes 700 Guineas for 4 Years Old at Newmarket
April 1733 he beat Mr. Panton's Mouse a 4 Miles Match 300 Guineas at
Newmarket, he won the Kings 100 Guineas at Lewis & Lincoln & in Octr. at
Newmarket, & April 1734 at the same place; after which he became
the Property of Esqr. Leeds and was in very high Esteem as a Stallion"