John Leech Mr Briggs Fishing Set 6 Antique Hand-Colored Prints Framed c1860 For Sale

Six Antique Hand-Colored John Leech Fishing Prints
“Mr. Briggs & His Doings”
Bradbury & Evans, London, circa 1860
Offered as one lot is a matched group of six antique hand-colored fishing prints after John Leech (1817–1864) from the humorous Victorian series“Mr. Briggs & His Doings.”

The complete original fishing portfolio comprised twelve plates, depicting the misadventures of Mr. Briggs while fishing for perch, eel and salmon. This listing is for six framed prints from that twelve-plate series, not the complete portfolio.
John Leech was a prominent British illustrator and caricaturist associated with Punch. The Mr. Briggs character first appeared in Punch in 1849, and the separate fishing portfolio was published by Bradbury & Evans around 1860.
Subjects represented:

The six framed prints include scenes captioned:

1. “Mr. Briggs is so fortunate as to catch a Large Eel”
2. “Mr. Briggs as he appeared from six in the morning until three in the afternoon trying for a Salmon”
3. “Mr. Briggs, through the influence of a friend, has a day’s spring fishing, wind north-east”
4. “After a long and exciting struggle Mr. B. is on the point of landing his prize, when unfortunately the line breaks!”
5. The continuation of the large-eel episode, showing the consequences of landing the catch
6. “On arriving at ‘Hell’s Hole,’ Mr. B. is detained for three quarters of an hour while the Fish sulks at the Bottom”
The published plate list identifies these subjects among Plates 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 of the twelve-plate portfolio. One framed sheet contains two related illustrations forming a single episode. [link removed by ]Details
Artist: John Leech (1817–1864)
Series: Mr. Briggs & His Doings: Fishing
Publisher’s imprint: Bradbury & Evans, 11 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London
Approximate date: Circa 1860
Format: Antique hand-colored prints on paper
Quantity: Six framed prints
Approximate image size: 9 × 13.5 inches each
Frames: Included in the sale
Glazing: Printsarebehind glass
A comparable dealer record describes individual examples as hand-colored wood engravings, while a first-edition portfolio description identifies the complete issue as twelve hand-colored lithographic plates mounted on artist board. Because these examples have not been removed from their frames, this listing does not make a definitive claim about the precise printing process.Condition:
The prints show general age-related toning, discoloration and occasional small surface marks, consistent with antique works on paper. Coloring remains attractive, and the printed captions and publisher’s imprints are visible.
The frames show age-related wear, including scratches, scuffs and surface wear. The prints have not been removed from the frames, so the backs, full sheet edges and areas beneath the frame rebates have not been examined.
Please review all photographs carefully because the photographs form an important part of the condition description. Additional close-up photographs can be supplied upon request.Attribution and age:
Each print bears the printed Bradbury & Evans publisher’s line:
“London, Published by Bradbury and Evans, 11 Bouverie Street, Fleet Street.”
The imprint, typography, paper appearance and subject matter are consistent with published examples of the circa-1860 Mr. Briggs & His Doings fishing series. The prints are being sold as antique period examples based on the visible characteristics and publisher’s imprints. No independent certificate of authenticity or professional paper examination is included. Published portfolio records confirm Bradbury & Evans as the original London publisher.
Shipping
The six framed prints will be carefully packed and shipped together with tracking and insurance.
Because antique glass can be vulnerable in transit, local collection in the Phoenix, Arizona area may also be arranged. Any international buyer should contact the seller before purchase so that shipping availability and cost can be confirmed.