Mr. Will Long on Bertha Value Guide

This mid-19th-century hand-colored engraving captures William Long, the legendary huntsman for the Duke of Beaufort, atop his celebrated grey mare, Bertha. Engraved by Edward Hacker after the original painting by William and Henry Barraud, it remains a definitive icon of Victorian sporting art.

What Is Mr. Will Long on Bertha Worth?

The typical price range for Mr. Will Long on Bertha is $225 - $250 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The vibrancy and precision of the hand-coloring significantly impact the market price, with unfaded pigments commanding higher values.
• Overall condition of the paper, including the absence of heavy water stains, tears, or significant trimming of the margins.
• The presence of an original or period-correct wood frame and protective glass can enhance the item's appeal to collectors.
• Provenance or evidence of early printing strikes, as later reproductions lack the fine detail found in original mid-1800s editions.

How to Identify Mr. Will Long on Bertha?

• Look for the names of the original artists, William and Henry Barraud, and the engraver, Edward Hacker, printed in the lower margin.
• Verify the presence of delicate hand-applied watercolor washes over the base ink engraving, particularly on the huntsman's coat and the horse's coat.
• Check for the mid-19th-century publication date range between 1849 and 1860, often found in the fine print at the bottom center.
• Examine the paper for signs of age-appropriate foxing or oxidation consistent with Victorian-era wood-pulp or rag paper.

History of Mr. Will Long on Bertha

This celebrated equestrian portrait depicts William Long, a legendary huntsman for the Duke of Beaufort, mounted on his grey mare Bertha. The original painting was executed by William and Henry Barraud and subsequently engraved by Edward Hacker in the mid-19th century. It became one of the most iconic images of the Victorian hunt era, celebrating the tradition of the fox hunt and the skill of the riders and their hounds.