Rare Books

The "Blue Boy" by Gainsborough

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Description: Small printed flyer describing Thomas Gainsborough's portrait "Blue Boy." Probably designed to be handed out to the public or posted during one of the painting's frequent public exhibitions at the British Institution or the Royal Academy throughout the 19th century. Typographic style indicates that it was printed some time in the 1870s. The painting was sold to Henry E. Huntington in November 1921. Prior to its departure to California, "Blue Boy" was put on display in the National Gallery in London in January 1922.
Type: Rare Books(Opens in new tab)
Publication date: [approximately 1875?]
Call number: 653477
Provenance: Purchased from Michael S. Kemp Bookseller, June 2021.
Dimensions: 23 x 14 cm

Staff photographing Gainsborough's Jonathan Buttall: the blue boy, in the Huntington residence

Visual Materials

A series of three photographs of the photographing of Thomas Gainsborough's Jonathan Buttall: the blue boy (1770). The man on the ground on the left holds steady the ladder that the photographer is on, another man stands on the right, and Dr. Batrig stands on a platform helping the photographer. Labels accompanying photographs in album read "Apparatus for making exposures for color plates of paintings in New Gallery. Huntington Art Gallery."

photCL 107 vol13 (26)

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Sir Joseph Duveen and others unloading "Blue Boy,"

Visual Materials

Wire photograph of the painting "Blue Boy," wrapped in paper, being unloaded by art dealer Sir Joseph Duveen and four other men onto a wagon in Los Angeles, California, after being purchased by the Huntington Library in San Marino, California. With typewritten caption: "Photo by International 1175--Los Angeles Bureau. Famous painting arrives. Pomp absent at entry of art wonder in Los Angeles. World's famous "Blue Boy" $850,000. Painting being unloaded from train. Photo shows [painting] being put on hand truck at station." With stamp on verso: "Warning!! This picture is supplied by 'International' Examiner Bldg., Los Angeles ..."

photPF 20193

Portrait gallery in the Huntington residence

Visual Materials

The portraits on the walls, from left to right: George Romney's Penelope (Rycroft) Lee Acton (1791); Sir Joshua Reynolds' Sarah (Kemble) Siddons as the Tragic Muse (1783-1784); Reynolds' Georgiana (Spencer) Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (1775-1776); John Hoppner's Isabella (Ingram) Seymour Conway, Viscountess Beauchamp, later Marchioness of Hertford (circa 1789); Thomas Gainsborough's Henrietta Read, later Henrietta Meares (circa 1777); Gainsborough's The Hon. Anne (Batson) Fane (circa 1782); George Romney's Jeremiah Milles (1780-1783); Gainsborough's Jonathan Buttall: the blue boy (1770). The bronze sculpture beneath "Blue Boy" is Mercure (Mercury) by an unknown foundry, after Antoine Coysevox, made between 1700 and 1710. MS note on verso reads "HEH art gallery: new wing (interior view)."

photCL 107 fld23 (39)

Four people in period costume in the portrait gallery in the Huntington residence

Visual Materials

Two couples in 18th century dress in the portrait gallery. One couple, the man standing and the woman sitting, are in front of George Romney's Rose (Gardiner) Milles (1780-1783). The other couple, both standing, are to the left of Thomas Gainsborough's Jonathan Buttall: the blue boy (1770). The bronze sculpture beneath "Blue Boy" is Mercure (Mercury) by an unknown foundry, after Antoine Coysevox, made between 1700 and 1710. Label accompanying photograph in album reads "HEH 28 New Gallery, Huntington Art Gallery. Portraits visible are "The Blue Boy" by Gainsborough, and "Mrs. Jeremiah Milles" by Romney."

photCL 107 vol13 (28)

Portrait gallery in the Huntington residence

Visual Materials

The portraits on the wall from left to right: George Romney's Jeremiah Milles (1780-1783); Thomas Gainsborough's Jonathan Buttall: the blue boy (1770) (the bronze sculpture beneath "Blue Boy" is Mercure (Mercury) by an unknown foundry, after Antoine Coysevox, made between 1700 and 1710); Romney's Rose (Gardiner) Milles (1780-1783). MS note on verso reads "HEH art gallery: new wing, c. 1933." Stamp on verso reads "Hiller Studio, 336 So. Hudson, TE. 6904 Pasadena."

photCL 107 fld23 (41)

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Shanghae races : spring meeting 1865

Rare Books

Announcement of the first day of horse racing, Wednesday, 26th April, 1865 for the spring racing season in Shanghai, China. Printed on blue silk with black ink, this is probably a deluxe or commerative printing of the day's program, which would normally be printed on paper. The Shanghai Race Club was established in 1850 and from 1862 until 1951 was based at the Shanghai Racecourse. In 1954 the Club handed over all of its properties to the Chinese Government.

647812

The "Blue Boy" by Gainsborough

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Staff photographing Gainsborough's Jonathan Buttall: the blue boy, in the Huntington residence

Sir Joseph Duveen and others unloading "Blue Boy,"

Portrait gallery in the Huntington residence

Four people in period costume in the portrait gallery in the Huntington residence

Portrait gallery in the Huntington residence

Shanghae races : spring meeting 1865