[Horses & Their Pedigrees].

London, Cheny & Butler, 1740-1746 or 1751-1753. . Oblong folio; 34 plates of racehorses engraved by H. Roberts, Parr and Canot after T. Spencer, each portrait surrounded by engraved text, some light surface creasing, contemporary autograph index to front free endpaper, bookplate to front pastedown; contemporary calf-backed marbled boards, rebacked, red morocco label to upper cover lettered in gilt, preserved in custom drop-back cloth box by Zaehnsdorf, bookplate inside lid. Sparrow notes its rarity in 1922, 'rare no doubt, because so many of the copies have been broken up in order that the prints might be sold one by one' (W.S. Sparrow, British Sporting Artists). Thomas Spencer may be regarded as a close follower of his contemporary, James Seymour; in fact, his manner of painting is in some ways more engaging than Seymour's since, despite the sometimes stiff portrayal of grooms and attendants, his horses themselves appear more fluid. From the library of the 2nd Baron Hesketh (1916-1955) who served as a Major in the Scots Guards, succeeding to the Barony on the death of his father in 1944. His substantial collection of rare books and manuscripts was held at the family seat of Easton Neston, until their sale in the early 21st century. Bobins 1196; Lane 168; Snelgrove (British sporting and animal prints), pp.157-170; cf. Siltzer 389; not in Schwerdt or Huth.