Vanity Fair 'Statesman No. 402' Lithograph of Horace Hutchinson (1890)

This is an original color lithograph portrait from the Victorian-era British weekly magazine 'Vanity Fair'. Dated May 19, 1890, the print features Horace Hutchinson, a prominent amateur golfer and prolific writer on the sport. The caricature, titled 'Hoyle' or 'The Champion Golfer', shows Hutchinson in a distinctive slouched posture, dressed in period-accurate golfing attire including a brown Norfolk-style jacket, knickerbockers (plus-fours), a small rounded cap, and long wool stockings. He is depicted holding a hickory-shafted golf club. The print bears the magazine's title 'VANITY FAIR' at the top left and the original publication date at the top right. A signature or artist monogram, likely 'Lib' (Liborio Prosperi), is visible in the lower left of the image area. The lithograph is presented in a sophisticated double-matted frame. The outer mat is a deep navy blue velvet or suede-texture material with a gold fillet border, which complements the glided wood frame. The frame itself shows some minor age-related wear and dust accumulation. The paper of the lithograph exhibits characteristic light toning and minor foxing consistent with a 130-year-old piece of ephemera. The colors remain relatively vibrant, suggesting it has been kept out of direct sunlight. The craftsmanship of the printing is high, utilizing the chromolithography process popular in the late 19th century to achieve subtle gradients and a painterly feel.

I have virtually examined this original chromolithograph from Vanity Fair, dated May 19, 1890, depicting the renowned amateur golfer Horace Hutchinson. The piece, titled 'Hoyle', is a significant crossover item between Victorian caricature art and sports history. My visual assessment identifies it as an authentic product of the era, confirmed by the distinctive 'Lib' (Liborio Prosperi) signature and the specific typography of the 'Vanity Fair' header. The condition exhibits characteristic light toning and minor foxing, which is expected for 19th-century paper, though the vibrancy of the pigments remains high. The high-quality custom framing with a navy velvet mat and gold fillet adds significant decorative value, transforming a standard print into a gallery-ready display piece. The market for golf-related Vanity Fair prints is robust, with subjects like Hutchinson commanding a premium over generic 'Statesmen' due to the global demand for early golf memorabilia. Comparable sales for framed versions of this specific print range from $400 to $700 depending on the gallery setting. However, digital examination has limitations; I cannot verify the presence of the original accompanying biographical text page or check for hidden watermarks and professional restoration behind the mat. Full authentication would require an in-person inspection to confirm paper weight, inspect the reverse for adhesive damage, and ensure the ink has the correct lithographic 'bite' rather than modern offset dot patterns. Provenance documentation regarding its storage history would further solidify the valuation at the higher end of the spectrum.