Items Similar to Elegance at Play: John Roberts Jr., Billiards Virtuoso, Vanity Fair 1885 by Spy
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6
Elegance at Play: John Roberts Jr., Billiards Virtuoso, Vanity Fair 1885 by Spy
$208.59
$260.7320% Off
£155.75
£194.6820% Off
€176
€22020% Off
CA$286.09
CA$357.6120% Off
A$321.54
A$401.9320% Off
CHF 167.45
CHF 209.3220% Off
MX$3,910.78
MX$4,888.4720% Off
NOK 2,142.75
NOK 2,678.4420% Off
SEK 2,031.96
SEK 2,539.9520% Off
DKK 1,339.82
DKK 1,674.7720% Off
Shipping
Retrieving quote...The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation
About the Item
This Vanity Fair caricature, dated April 4, 1885, features John Roberts Jr., famously known as 'The Champion Roberts.' The illustration depicts him engaged in a game of billiards, a sport in which he excelled and became a renowned figure during the late 19th century. John Roberts Jr. was celebrated for his skill in billiards, winning multiple championships and helping to popularize the game.
The caricature by 'Spy,' whose real name is Sir Leslie Ward, captures Roberts in an elegant pose, typical of a gentleman player of the era, dressed in formal attire with his billiard cue in hand. The depiction emphasizes his concentration and finesse, qualities essential to a billiards champion. This artwork not only highlights his sportsmanship but also his status within the social and sporting circles of his time.
This print on offer would appeal to collectors interested in sports history, particularly those fascinated by the legacy of billiards, as well as enthusiasts of Victorian era art and culture. It emphasizes the athlete's mastery and the artistic portrayal that captures a defining moment in sports history.
The illustration in Vanity Fair was created using lithography, a popular printing technique in the 19th century. Lithography involves drawing an image with a grease-based medium on a limestone plate, then treating the surface with a chemical that ensures the ink only adheres to the drawn areas. This plate is then used to print the image on paper. The technique allows for high-quality, detailed prints that capture subtle gradations of tone and sharp contrasts, ideal for vividly portraying the unique caricatures for which Vanity Fair was known.
Vanity Fair prints gained popularity due to several factors:
1. Celebrity and Notoriety: The magazine featured prominent figures from various fields, including politics, royalty, arts, and sports. This wide range appealed to a broad audience interested in different aspects of society and celebrity.
2. Artistic Quality: The prints were known for their high artistic quality and the distinctive styles of the contributing artists, such as 'Ape' (Carlo Pellegrini), and 'Spy', who had a keen eye for detail and a wry sense of humor that shone through in his caricatures.
3. Humor and Satire: The caricatures often included humorous and satirical interpretations of the subjects’ personalities and careers, making them not only visually engaging but also entertaining.
4. Collectibility and Decoration: These prints were collectible items even at the time of their publication. They were often framed and displayed, serving as conversation pieces due to their striking and often amusing portrayals of well-known personalities.
5. Social Commentary: By exaggerating features and mannerisms, the caricatures provided insightful, though playful, commentary on the public figures of the day, resonating with the Victorian society’s appetite for social and political satire.
The combination of high artistic standards, humor, and social critique in a format accessible to the Victorian middle class made Vanity Fair lithographs highly popular and sought after as both collectibles and decor.
- Dimensions:Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)Width: 10.63 in (27 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1885
- Condition:Condition: Good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-13102-81stDibs: LU3054341316722
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2017
2,491 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Langweer, Netherlands
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllStrategic Mastermind: J. H. Blackburne, Chess Luminary, Vanity Fair 1888 by Spy
Located in Langweer, NL
This Vanity Fair caricature from June 2, 1888, features Mr. J. H. Blackburne, a distinguished figure in the world of chess, as indicated by the simple but telling caption "Chess." Joseph Henry Blackburne, known as "The Black Death," was an influential British chess...
Category
Antique 1880s Prints
Materials
Paper
$208 Sale Price
20% Off
Royal Elegance: Prince Henry of Orleans, Fencing Nobleman, Vanity Fair 1897
Located in Langweer, NL
This illustration from Vanity Fair, dated September 30, 1897, depicts Prince Henry of Orleans. It's crafted by Jean Baptiste Guth, an artist known for his detailed and refined portraits in Vanity Fair. This particular caricature portrays the prince in an elegant pose with a fencing foil...
Category
Antique 1890s Prints
Materials
Paper
$208 Sale Price
20% Off
Master Marksman: Walter Winans, The Record Revolver Shot, Vanity Fair 1893
Located in Langweer, NL
This caricature from Vanity Fair, published on August 17, 1893, features Walter Winans, a remarkable figure known for his skills as a marksman and his involvement in equestrian sport...
Category
Antique 1890s Prints
Materials
Paper
$208 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Vanity Fair Print 'Mr. Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt' by Spy – 1899
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Vanity Fair Print 'Mr. Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt' by Spy – 1899
This is an original Vanity Fair lithograph featuring Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, published as a supplement in 1899. The caricature was created by Leslie Ward, famously known as "Spy." Vanderbilt, a prominent American businessman and a member of the wealthy Vanderbilt family, is depicted here in his signature style—elegantly dressed in a tailored double-breasted coat, holding a driving whip, and wearing a top hat. The details of his fashionable attire and poised stance highlight his status as a key figure in high society and equestrian sports.
Published by Bemrose Dalziel Ltd., this Vanity Fair caricature is part of a long-standing tradition of capturing notable personalities from various spheres, including the aristocracy, business, and sport. Alfred Vanderbilt was known for his involvement in coaching and horse racing, making this print a wonderful representation of his lifestyle and the culture of the elite during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
This lithograph is perfect for collectors of Vanity Fair prints, equestrian enthusiasts, or those interested in historical depictions of influential figures. It serves as a stylish decorative piece, ideal for those who appreciate vintage caricatures...
Category
Antique 1890s Prints
Materials
Paper
$208 Sale Price
20% Off
Vanity Fair Print 'H. Searle' Professional Champion Sculler of the World – 1889
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Vanity Fair Print 'H. Searle' Professional Champion Sculler of the World – 1889
This is an original Vanity Fair lithograph dated Septem...
Category
Antique 1880s Prints
Materials
Paper
$208 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Vanity Fair Print 'A.A.A' Montague Shearman – 1895
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Vanity Fair Print 'A.A.A' Montague Shearman – 1895
This is an original Vanity Fair lithograph dated July 4, 1895, titled "A.A.A," featuring Montague Shearman, a distinguished British judge and athlete. Illustrated by "Wag" (the pseudonym of artist Alfred Thompson), this caricature highlights Shearman's association with the Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), as indicated by the title. Shearman is shown in a thoughtful pose, holding a top hat and umbrella behind his back, dressed in formal attire. His observant stance reflects his keen role as a legal figure and sports official.
Published by Vincent Brooks, Day & Son Ltd., this print was part of Vanity Fair's "Men of the Day" series, which caricatured influential figures of the time. Montague Shearman was notable not only for his legal career but also for his contributions to amateur athletics, making this lithograph a fascinating piece of sports and legal history.
This artwork is perfect for collectors of Vanity Fair prints, those with an interest in the history of athletics, or admirers of Victorian caricatures...
Category
Antique 1870s Prints
Materials
Paper
$208 Sale Price
20% Off
You May Also Like
Luke Fildes, painter, Vanity Fair artist portrait chromolithograph, 1892
By Sir Leslie Ward
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'He painted '"he Doctor"'
Vanity Fair portrait of Sir Samuel Luke Fildes, KCVO, RA (1843-1927) who was an English painter and illustrator born at Liverpo...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Portrait Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Vanity Fair “A Big Hitter” Men of the Day #543 Andrew E. Stoddart, July 09, 1892
By Vanity Fair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vanity Fair “Spy Cricketeers-Men of the Day” # 543, Andrew Ernest Stoddart,
“A Big Hitter”, chromolithograph by Jehu Junior, published July 09, 1892.
...
Category
Antique 1890s British Victorian Prints
Materials
Wood, Paper
Carlo Pellegrini, Vanity Fair artist portrait chromolithograph 1889
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'Ape'
Vanity Fair portrait of Carlo Pellegrini (1839-1889), nicknamed 'Ape', who was an artist who served from 1869 to 1889 as a caricaturist for Va...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Portrait Prints
Materials
Lithograph
John Seymour Lucas, Vanity Fair artist portrait chromolithograph 1899
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'A Connoisseur'
Vanity Fair portrait of John Seymour Lucas (1849-1923) who was a Victorian English historical and portrait painter as well as an accompl...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Portrait Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Henry Searle, rower, Vanity Fair rowing portrait chromolithograph, 1889
By Sir Leslie Ward
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'H Searle, Professional Champion Sculler of the World'.
Vanity Fair rowing portrait of Henry Searle (1866-1889), an Australian sculler who raced in...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Portrait Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Robert Abel, Vanity Fair cricket portrait chromolithograph, 1902
By Sir Leslie Ward
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'Bobby'
Vanity Fair cricket portrait of Robert Abel. Abel was a right hand batsman and bowler for Surrey and England.
390mm by 265mm (image)
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Portrait Prints
Materials
Lithograph
More Ways To Browse
Bleached Mahogany Chest
Bombe Box
Brass Pineapples
Bronze Crocodile Sculpture
Bronze Koi
Bronze Lotus Leaf
Bronze Portico Clock
Campaign Writing Box
Capiz Table
Carved Ducks
Carved Giraffe
Carved Oak Cabinet French Bar
Casket Plate
Ceylon Ebony
Charles And Diana
China Jade Tube
Chinese Bronze Horse
Chinese Camphor Wood Chest