Football. color aquatint.
London: Thos. McLean, 1827. First printing. Print. One of the earliest images recorded of a Football game. Engraved by George Hunt.
The game recorded is being played at the crossroads of it's evolution when soccer and rugby were just about to split into two sports.
The image has a mêlée of jovial, good-natured soldiers are playing an informal game on a country parade-ground outside barracks, where a sentry is on duty. Most are in full regimentals with plumed shako, cocked hat, or cap; one is in shirt-sleeves but all wear tight stocks. Some sprawl under the legs of the others. They struggle for position, waiting for the ball to descend. An officer canters up, and a sergeant runs towards the players.
Etching and aquatint with hand-coloring. 23.6 X 34.1 cm.
Victoria and Albert Museum. E.3448-1953.
British Museum satirical print number 1935,0522.3.169 for the edition printed by Hunt in 1825.
Included is a 1930 advertisment for Guinness which uses the image in its promotion. Uniform toning but pleasant. Item #28323
Price: $550.00