The St Albans Steeple Chase (1836)

Social History (Museum of St Albans)

The St Albans Steeple Chase (1836). Colour-printed and hand-coloured aquatint by James Pollard, engraved by Charles Hunt Steeple chasing was introduced to St Albans in 1829, with the course to the north of the town. In the 1830s the races evidently became a major attraction, and in several years they were recorded in series of coloured prints, mainly by Pollard, which had a wide sale. The St Albans races were obviously a very severe test of horse and rider, and here we see the winner, Captain Beecher's celebrated Grimaldi, dropping dead at the finish. James Pollard was apprenticed in the family trade of artist-engravers, and by the late 1820s had become the leading artist of coaching and sporting scenes. In later years his business declined as railways gained the public's interest and killed the coaching trade.

1836

ph8599 Steeple Chase

120 transparency

1) Photo Studio

St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK.

Herts Before the Car, 2001