Description
Signed limited edition of Cherished Portraits of Thoroughbred Horses by William Woodward, designed and printed by Eugene V. Connett at The Derrydale Press and bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe.
Folio, vii, 297pp. Red morocco, double gilt-ruled border on covers. Title in gilt on spine, raised bands with gilt-ruled compartments. Gilt-ruled turn-ins and border edges. Solid text block, light wear to covers. Offsetting to outer edges of endpapers due to turn-ins. A near fine example, free of any marks or notations. Complete with sixty-eight engraved plates, all with tissue covers, and three charts. One of 300 copies produced. (Siegel 22)
Inscribed on front flyleaf: “To David Wagstaff with best regards William Woodward.”
William Woodward, Sr. (1876-1953) was an avid horse racer and breeder. He also served as President of Hanover National Bank from 1910-1929. Both positions were passed down to Woodward through family lines, specifically from his wealthy uncle James T. Woodward. Inheriting Belair Mansion in Collington, Maryland, William Woodward Sr. transformed it into one of the most sought after breeding and horse racing operations during the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. Cherished Portraits of Thoroughbred Horses showcases illustrations and biographies of successful horses found in Woodward’s art collection, of which he “spared no expense to see that this book was the finest of its kind produced in America.” (Siegel 22)
