Print: This is a full uncut sheet numbered 6674 bottom right and titled in French under the print Le Retour De La Chasse (The Return from Hunting). This is one of the most important subject matters in the sale and shows Queen Victoria on horseback looking on at the young Prince of Wales (Later Edward VII) holding a hare or rabbit.
 
Christies’ sale catalogue states that the man with beard in the centre foreground is Prince Albert but to me, this is totally wrong and the person must be John Brown, who became Queen Victoria’s personal attendant after the death of Prince Albert. They are all in highland dress
 
Edward VII (then the Prince of Wales) would have hunted in Scotland from the age of seven circa 1848, this became an annual trip especially after the purchase of the Balmoral Estate in 1852, In 1858, John Brown became the personal ghillie and gun-loader for Prince Albert and as such would have accompanied all the Royal shooting parties from that date.
 
Most probably printed for the French market.
 
It was first catalogued in The Baxter Times of the 1920’s and at that time numbered 47
 
This is part of the well documented ‘New Hall Vault sale’ held at Christie’s in 1987, for full information please see https://www.georgebaxter.com/christie-s-new-hall-vault-sale-1987
 
Date: 1850’s / 1860’s
 
Approx. size (cm ht x w): 50 x 37 (Full Sheet)
 
State: On the full uncut sheet as taken from the printing press including registration holes to help align the colours blocks
 
Condition: Excellent colours some toning and small nicks to sheet edges, please see images