'Blank,' a bay horse, pre-letter mezzotint proof.
1757. Print. A pre-letter proof of a mezzotint by Richard Houston (1721-1775) from the painting of '"Blank", the Property of His Grace the Duke of Ancaster' by William Shaw published in 1757. "Blank, a bay horse foaled in 1740 by the Godolphin Arabian out of Little Hertley, by Bartlett's Childers, bred by the Earl of Godolphin."
Blank (1740–1770) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He won one race, but became a very successful sire and was British Champion sire in 1762, 1764 and 1770 (Wikipedia).
Accompanied by a 1954 newsprint article published in the Middlebury Chronicle by Ernest Hutton describing 18th century painters and an image of this print, which includes the caption as it later appears on the print.
13 x 15 3/4", with no text on bottom edge of print, trimmed close to impression mark, left edge slightly ruffled not affecting image. Otherwise very good condition. Item #23565
Price: $950.00