The High Mettled Racer – The Post Horse, after Alken, 19th century
Late 19th century color photomechanical print after Henry Thomas Alken’s famous series The High Mettled Racer. The original hand-colored aquatints were first published in 1821 by S. & J. Fuller, engraved by Thomas Sutherland. The series follows the life stages of a thoroughbred horse as told in the popular ballad of the High Mettled Racer, from foal to racer, and finally to its decline.
This plate, The Post Horse (Plate 4), portrays the horse in later life at a bustling coaching inn. The scene is full of narrative detail: coachmen and grooms prepare the horses, a farrier and ostlers are engaged in work, and dogs roam the courtyard. The horse, once a celebrated racer, is now harnessed for the demanding service of carrying mail and passengers. The setting captures both the atmosphere of early 19th century travel and the social world of the stable yard.
Alken’s skill in equestrian art is evident in the lively depiction of figures, animals, and architecture. This print conveys not only the horse’s change of fortune but also the energy of a society that relied heavily on horses for communication and transport.
Condition: Very good. General toning and some age-related spots in the margins. Colors are strong and well preserved. Blank verso.
Framing tips: This plate displays well on its own or in sequence with other prints from the series. Use a wide ivory or cream mount to soften the image, paired with a dark wood or ebonized frame for contrast. A gilt slip adds warmth and highlights the period character of the work.
Technique: Color photomechanical print Maker: After Henry Thomas Alken (artist), after Thomas Sutherland (engraver), after S. & J. Fuller (publisher) Date: Late 19th century, British
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