Stevengraph of The Spanish Bullfight

“The Spanish Bullfight” (STG 178) by Thomas Stevens. This is a 6* rarity according to the Sprake reference, page 77. As detailed in the Godden reference it is on an F mount but interestingly we have a variation not yet recorded. It has the title on the mount (very hard to see) in the thick script lettering , on a very dark and textured mount but with no credit. The trade label is the 31+39b version and this dates the piece accurately to the late half of 1901. The major difference to the previous labels is the inclusion of the “Late” Queen Victoria in that she died 22 January 1901. This unusual item is rare as it was never that popular as an image. The silk is absolutely immaculate with no loss of colour and no foxing or marking. The mount and trade label are also excellent.