Sporting Art Appraisal

Punchestown Conyngham Cup 1870 'The Finish' Racing Print

This item is a framed print depicting a horse race titled "PUNCHESTOWN. CONYNGHAM CUP 1870. THE FINISH.". The print features a dynamic scene of several horses and jockeys at full gallop on a racecourse, with a large crowd visible along the rails. In the distance, rolling green hills and a varied landscape extend under a bright sky, suggesting an outdoor sporting event. The colors are predominantly earthy greens for the landscape and track, with vibrant blues and reds for jockeys' silks and small details in the crowd and tents. The print appears to be a chromolithograph or a similar multi-color printing technique, characterized by relatively smooth color transitions and fine detail. There are visible white margins around the primary image, within which the title and date (1870) are printed. Below the main title, there is an inscription that reads: "Dedicated to The Most Noble The Marquis of Drogheda.", indicating a specific dedication. The print is housed within a simple, light-colored frame, likely wood or a composite material, with a white mat that provides contrast and separation from the frame. The glass covering the print shows reflections, indicating it is glazed. No overt damage such as tears, significant foxing, or major color fading is immediately apparent, though the lighting of the photograph makes a full condition assessment difficult. However, there is some curvature or looseness of the print within the matting at the bottom right corner, suggesting it might not be perfectly flat or securely mounted. The style is characteristic of late 19th-century sporting art, which often documented significant racing events and celebrated equestrian culture. The quality of the print appears good, with clear lines and rich colors, typical of well-executed historical prints. The visible text and dedication add to its historical and potential collectible value.