18th century stipple engraving and etching of Mr Horace Beckford in gilded frame with hand cut mounts
(William Horace Pitt-Rivers, 3rd Baron Pitt-Rivers, (2nd Dec. 1777 – 23rd Jan. 1831) known as Horace Beckford until 1828 was a British Peer.
After Richard Cosway – (Oakford, Devon 1742–1821 London). Cosway was the famous miniature artist and principal painter to the Prince of Wales in 1785.
Engraved by Jean Condé, French artist and print maker (Born Ĩle-de-France 1765 – Died London 1794)
Published by Colnaghi, London – August 1st 1793
Beckford succeeded his father’s estates in 1811. As Horace Beckford, he was a notorious gambler and a member of Crockford’s during the Regency Era. His mania for high play was so pronounced that when his maternal uncle, George Pitt, 2nd Baron Rivers died on 20 July 1828, he left Beckford (who succeeded him in the title by special remainder) only £4,000 per year directly, leaving the bulk of his estate, worth £40,000 per year, in the hands of trustees for Horace’s eldest son George. On 20 November, Horace assumed the name of Pitt-Rivers for himself and his successors in the Pitt estates, the rest of his issue to take the name of Pitt.
In January 1831, he was persuaded by friends to take up gambling again and lost. Frightened that he would once again become addicted, he drowned himself in The Serpentine on 23rd
Editions of this work can be seen in the Metropolitan Museum, New York, The British Museum, The National Museum of Scotland and the National Trust Property of Kingston Lacy, Dorset
Width: 18″ / 46 cms
Height: 22″ / 56 cms