Heywood Hardy Going to Cover Value Guide

Heywood Hardy's 'Going to Cover' is a quintessential example of Edwardian equestrian art, capturing the anticipatory movement of a hunting party heading toward dense brush. These lithographs are highly collectible for their detailed depiction of Victorian sporting life and Hardy's mastery of equine anatomy.

What Is Heywood Hardy Going to Cover Worth?

The typical price range for Heywood Hardy Going to Cover is $175 - $190 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The physical condition of the paper, specifically the absence of water damage, heavy fading, or significant foxing.
• The presence of the original late 19th or early 20th-century wooden frame and matting.
• The clarity and vibrancy of the lithographic ink, as sun exposure can significantly diminish the value of hunting scenes.
• Provenance or labels on the reverse side indicating the original UK print seller or framer.

How to Identify Heywood Hardy Going to Cover?

• Check for the artist's signature 'Heywood Hardy' usually located in the lower corner of the print plate.
• Examine the paper for signs of age-appropriate foxing or yellowing consistent with the 1890-1920 production era.
• Look for high-quality lithographic detail in the hounds and horses, which distinguishes authentic period prints from modern digital reproductions.
• Verify the presence of an original wood frame and glass, which often feature period-correct joinery and backing materials.

History of Heywood Hardy Going to Cover

Heywood Hardy was a prominent British artist known for his equestrian and hunting scenes during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. His work often focused on the elegance of the hunt, capturing the dynamic movement of horses and hounds. Going to Cover is one of his most celebrated compositions, showcasing the start of the hunt as the party moves toward the dense vegetation where the fox is expected to be hiding. Hardy's work was widely reproduced as high-quality lithographs to satisfy the demand of the growing middle class in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.