Cattle. Hereford Prize Bull, Hereford Prize Cow. Engraving c1857

by The Illustrated London News

Antique engraving of Cattle at a Meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society. Herefords: First Prize Bull and First Prize Cow. Original engraving by animal painter and illustrator Harrison Weir (1824-1906), for The Illustrated London News published in London circa 1857 (later hand-tinting with watercolour).

The Illustrated London News periodical was the world's first graphic newspaper. From the beginning, illustrated news was popular, selling hundreds of thousands of copies each edition (in particular with news of any wars around the world). Engraved illustrations were the main attraction. They were avidly collected, and coloured for further enjoyment (as with this engraving).

This hand-coloured engraving has been mounted in antique-white conservation mattboard, ready for framing, and is cellophaned for protection. Size of engraving window is 16 x 24 mm (6.25 x 9.5 inches). Full page size was 40 x 27cm (15.75 x 10.5 inches). External measurement of mount, for framing, is 30 x 38 mm (11.75 x 15 inches).