Nicholas Parsons Collection – Pair of 19th Century Equestrian Hunting Scene Lithographs of Tom Moody

The Nicholas Parsons Collection

A rare original Pair of Early 19th Century Equestrian Hunting Scene Lithographs after James Pollard (1792–1867) and published by Dean & Co. Threadneedle St. London (c.1808 -1833) featuring the figure of Tom Moody who was well known during the 19th Century as a controversial huntsman’s ‘whipper-in’ with many folk songs, quotes and allegories etc noted at the time about him. James Pollard was a British painter noted for his mail coach, fox hunting and equine scenes. The lithographer of these plates was Henry Heath (1801-1858), a notable Caricaturist and Lithographer, as well as a skilled draughtsman and etcher of political caricatures, who also worked as an engraver from about c.1824-30. The publishers Dean & Co. were well known for printing many of the George Cruikshank satirical works in 19th Century. In addition to being publishers Deans & Co. were also known as Printers (copperplate and lithographic), Booksellers and Bookbinders.

The first lithograph, with aquatint colouring and contemporary hand coloured watercolour detail, original Oak wood frame, is titled ‘TOM MOODY. HIGH! WIND HIM! AND CROSS HIM! NOW RATTLER! -BOY! HARK!’ “You all knew Tom Moody, the Whipper in, well: The bell, just done tolling, was honest Tom’s knell: A more able sports man ne’er follow’d a hound, Through country, well known to him fifty miles round. No hound ever opened with Tom near the wood, But he’d challenge the note, and could tell if’t was good; And all, with attention,would eagerly mark, When he cheered up the pack, “hark-to Rookwood, hark! hark!“.

The second lithograph, with aquatint colouring and contemporary hand coloured watercolour detail, original Oak wood frame, is titled TOM MOODY. WHIP HIGH OVER! NOW PRESS HIM (…) TALLY HO! “Six crafty earth stoppers, in hunters-green drest, Supported poor Tom to an earth made for rest, His Horse, which he styl’d his old Soul next appeared, On whose forehead the brush of his last fox was reared, Whip, cap, boots and spurs, in a trophy were bound, And here and there, followed, an old straggling hound. Ah! no more, at his voice, yonder vales will they trace, Nor the Wrek in resound his first burst in the chase.”

Provenance: The late Nicholas Parsons, CBE. Actor, Comedian, Broadcaster, Wit and Raconteur. Host of BBC Radio programme Just a Minute 1967-2019.

Price Inc. UK Delivery: £395.00p

H: 12.6? / 32cm x W: 14.8? / 37.5cm x D: 0.8? / 2cm

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