Snaffles (Charles Johnson Payne) British 1884-1967 is considered by many as one of the greatest sporting and military artist of his time. His humorous views of the sporting world have been delighting people for over 100 years. For more biography Click Here.

This engaging early Snaffles work shows Lord Ranksborough, a close friend of the Royal family and Master of the Cottesmore Hunt, raising his hat astride a thoroughbred. The original print formed part of a set of four medium-sized prints of hunting types, along with Old Tawney, 'Hogany Tops, and The Gent with 'Osses to Sell. The set was issued early in 1910 by the leading publishing house of Lawrence & Jellicoe, and its publication was to prove a turning point in Snaffles' career

In the years immediately preceding 1910, life had been hard for Snaffles, with financial difficulties constantly plaguing the young artist. His love of hunting remained unabated, however, and he had begun to ride to hounds, mostly on borrowed mounts.

Snaffles' life was profoundly changed by the publication of 'Hunting Types'. The set was an immediate success and Snaffles and his two sisters had to work frantically in a bid to colour the prints quickly enough to keep up with demand. Perhaps the most momentous event of that year was the beginning of Snaffles' association with the famous weekly magazine, The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News: the magazine republished this set late in 1910, and Snaffles' work was to make many more appearances in its pages over the following years, providing a great boost to his popularity.

Made in England by fine print makers using the "Gouttelette" process, the highest standard of digital printing. 16" x 12", unframed.