Vintage Snaffles Racing Print
A vintage snaffles racing print captures the movement and humour of early twentieth-century equestrian life, offering buyers a lively piece of British sporting history.
Vintage Snaffles Racing Print
A vintage snaffles racing print represents the celebrated work of Charles Johnson Payne, known as Snaffles, spanning the decades from nineteen ten to nineteen thirty. Buyers examining this page will encounter original prints and framed sequences that depict hunting, point-to-point racing and colonial sporting subjects.
The selections available here reflect British sporting art and Edwardian sporting art from the early twentieth century. Most examples appear as framed prints or framed artworks housed within wooden or oak frames under glass.
Subjects range from iconic racing scenes like High Leicestershire to humorous military and hunting episodes such as Carpet Beaters v Bobbery Wallahs. These pieces offer a direct connection to the aesthetic of early twentieth-century sporting culture.
How they were made
These works are produced on paper, often utilising gouache highlights to add depth and colour to the printed image. The combination of printmaking techniques and hand-applied pigment creates the characteristic richness found in works by this artist.
Framing materials typically consist of wood and oak, enclosing the paper prints behind glass for protection. This traditional method of presentation preserves the delicate surface of the gouache and paper over decades.
What varies in quality
Quality in these works rests upon the clarity of the printed line and the preservation of the gouache applied by the artist. Stronger examples retain their original vibrancy on paper without excessive fading from light exposure.
The choice of framing contributes to the overall character, with period wooden or oak frames providing a more authentic context than later replacements. The integrity of the glass and the preservation of the paper mountings also influence the standing of each piece.
Charles Johnson Payne Snaffles
The Vintage Snaffles Racing Print Glossary
- Gouache
- An opaque water-based paint used to add bright highlights and dense colour to printed works. It gives areas of the image a flat, matte finish with intense pigment.
- Point-to-point
- A form of amateur steeplechase horseracing held over a designated course across the countryside. This subject frequently appears in early twentieth-century sporting art.
- Oak
- A heavy, durable timber commonly utilised for framing traditional British artwork. Its pronounced grain complements the rustic nature of hunting and racing scenes.
- Sporting art
- Fine art depicting horses, hunting, shooting, racing and other rural pursuits. This genre flourished in Britain throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Vintage Snaffles Racing Print: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a snaffles print?
A snaffles print is an artwork created by the British sporting artist Charles Johnson Payne, who signed his work with his nickname. These pieces are known for their humorous and accurate depictions of military life and equestrian sports.
They often include witty captions written directly onto the margins of the paper, adding a distinct narrative element to the visual scene.
How should I hang these prints?
These framed artworks suit studies, hallways or living rooms decorated with traditional or equestrian themes. Keeping them away from direct sunlight protects the paper and gouache pigments from fading.
Ensure the wooden or oak frames are hung securely using appropriate fixings given the weight of the glass and timber.
How do I date these pieces?
Dating relies on the recorded periods of the artist's active output, which largely falls between nineteen ten and nineteen thirty. The style of the signature, the specific subject matter and the framing materials often provide further clues to the exact decade.
Comparative study of known publishing dates for popular titles helps establish the chronological placement of individual prints.
Are these prints original?
The listings on this page consist of original prints produced during the early twentieth century rather than modern reproductions. They feature the characteristic paper stocks and printing techniques of the period in which they were issued.
Each piece reflects the distinct hand-finished details and framing choices typical of the era from nineteen ten to nineteen thirty.