North American Auction Company
Timed Auction

December 2023 Holiday Gift Sale

Fri, Dec 1, 2023 02:00AM EST - Mon, Dec 11, 2023 03:00PM EST
Lot 255

Charles Lees "The Golfers" Hand Colored Engraving

Estimate: $800 - $1,200

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
Featured in this lot is this hand painted engraving of Charles Lees's original painting done in 1847 titled, "The Golfers: A Grand Match Played Over the St. Andrews", with the engraving and hand coloring done by Charles E. Wagstaff circa late 1800s to early 1900s. This engraving depicts one of the most well-known golf paintings ever created, with the "Ginger Beer hole" at the Old Course in St. Andrews as the backdrop. The engraving depicts a scene from the October 1841 meeting of the Royal & Ancient. The game between Major Playfair and John Campbell and Sir David Baird and Sir Ralph Anstruther is shown in the scene. Numerous other well-known golfers can also be named. Lees took great pride in capturing the true likeness of the actual players and spectators in his famed portrait paintings. The original Charles Lees painting, which stood an impressive and imposing four feet and three inches tall by seven feet wide, was completed in 1847. Three years later, Charles Wagstaff’s black and white line engraving was published by Alexander Hill, in Edinburgh, in 1850. In Cupar, Fife, Charles Lees (1800–1880) was born. He received his art training in Edinburgh under the tutelage of renowned portraitist Sir Henry Raeburn. He returned to Edinburgh and established himself as a portrait painter after spending six months traveling and painting in Rome. In 1830, Lees was chosen as a Royal Scottish Academician. He started writing about sports in the 1840s, focusing on curling and golf. His first major sporting picture was "The Golfers". The engraving shows a group of golfers and spectators watching the historic match as they crowd the green and hole watching to see if the putt was made. The engraving reads at the bottom, "Edinburgh, 20 December 1850 published by Alexander Hills print seller to the Queen, 67 Princess Street / The Golfers / A grand match played over St. Andrews Links". In the bottom right hand corner, right below the engraving it reads, "Engraved by Charles E. Wagstaff", while the bottom left hand corner under the engraving reads, "Painted by Charles Lees". The engraving is set in a wood frame, sits behind glass and is single matted. The engraving and frame show good condition overall with no signs of obvious damage present. The visible art measures 15 15/16" L x 24 3/4" W, while the entire piece measures 25 3/8" L x 33 1/4" W.

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