Original 1790 "The Blackheath Golfer"

Mezzotint Print

        It’s not too often that we at Green Jacket Auctions get to handle a piece of golf history that is over 223 years old. Without question, this is one of the finest, and most historic, items ever to grace our auction block.

        Offered here is one of the greatest golf art pieces in existence – an original 1790 mezzotint print of the most famous golf portrait in history – “The Blackheath Golfer” by Lemuel Francis Abbott.

        In 1790, Blackheath golfer William Innes commissioned Abbott to paint his portrait, quickly followed by Valentine Green engraving 50 mezzotint prints that same year, presumably intended as gifts for Innes’ friends. These 50 examples are universally regarded as the first-ever golf prints.

        “The Blackheath Golfer” is widely reported to be the most-produced golf print of all-time. But what happened to that original painting by Lemuel Francis Abbott? It has long been the subject of scandalous rumor and speculation, but in truth was almost certainly destroyed in a fire in India on May 30, 1857.

        And those 50 original mezzotint prints that were also made in 1790? Approximately 10-15 are known to exist, including the offered example.

        For art lovers, this is a true “Holy Grail” piece. Describing this 223 year old print as museum-worthy seems obvious, as many of the other surviving examples do indeed reside in museums.

        This original 1790 mezzotint print of “The Blackheath Golfers” has been framed to 25 ¾” x 34 ¾”. The plate size is 17” x 26”, with the actual image itself measuring 16 ⅞” x 23 ½. As you can see from the photographs, the print remains in remarkable shape, with only very minor condition issues throughout. This piece is without question, one of the finest examples remaining in the hobby.

        The “Blackheath Golfer” is being consigned today by Jeff Ellis, widely regarded as one of the 20^th century’s greatest golf collectors.

        This original 1790 "Blackheath Golfer" is being offered today with only a nominal reserve. Its value is surely in the tens of thousands of dollars, but we’ll let our bidders decide…