19th Century Oil Portrait of World Chess Champion Howard Staunton

[John Upham]

See https://www.ebay.com/itm/19th-Century-O ... 4235344210

The above eBay item was drawn to my attention.

Anyone have an opinion on it ?

Is it genuine ?

Supposed Portrait of Staunton

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[John Moore]

John, I am not clear from where the seller got the date 1830 but Sir George Hayter was in Paris from 1828 to 1831. I am no expert but this work is not signed by Hayter. If you were young Staunton and spending a lot of money on a painting by a well known artist (although not yet appointed by Queen Victoria), I would make sure that my painting was signed, not so much to ensure its resale value but also to show my friends.

If it was a genuine Hayter (and it may still be - it would need an expert in Victorian portraiture), $20,000 dollars would be about right. However, it's on EBay which would cause me all sorts of doubts. If the vendor thinks it's a genuine Hayter, then he should take it to a reputable auction house where he would certainly make his money if he is right. As it is, I reckon (and it's obviously my personal view) that this is a good painting (possibly of Staunton) by an unidentified Victorian artist and I'd expect it to make in the low hundreds at auction.

[Adam Raoof]

I was so excited by this I almost clicked 'buy it now'!

It is a very good portrait, and an almost uniquely appropriate subject that could not have been set up by the painter or an amateur.

If I had the money, I would make them an offer. But it would be a low offer.

[Gerard Killoran]

The hair parting seems about right. Also the position on the board is that difficult mate with B + N, something a strong chess player would choose as an example of their prowess, even now.

Otherwise, this is one for 'Fake or Fortune'.

[John Upham]

The response (via Twitter) of Ray Keene has been :

"Never heard of it and it doesn’t look much like Staunton to me!"

and he posted a picture of his own :

Ray Keene's Staunton Portrait

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with the following comment :

This is the original of Staunton which I own. It looks considerably more convincing than the callow youth in the $20,000 version. ⁦

[John Moore]

Wonder if this was painted by Barry Martin, a friend of Ray Keene.

[John Upham]

A reply from the vendor :

Hello John

The answers to your questions are in the listing

Painter seems to have been George Hayter, who was Queen Victoria’s own personal portrait artist. The brush strokes and style are a match, although the work appears to be unsigned

The Painting was Created in 1830, according to the seller, but the Exact history is unknown to me

However the work matches what we know about the life of Howard Staunton:

Born in 1810, He was the illegitimate son of a Royal who died when Howard was 15 and left him lots of money, which he is said to have squandered within 10 years

Let me know if u have any further questions about this.

Cheers!

Judee

[John Moore]

"Born in 1810, He was the illegitimate son of a Royal who died when Howard was 15 and left him lots of money, which he is said to have squandered within 10 years"

John, I agree with the first three words. Who is the royal who is said to have died in 1825 from which everything seems to follow.

[John Upham]

"Born in 1810, He was the illegitimate son of a Royal who died when Howard was 15 and left him lots of money, which he is said to have squandered within 10 years"

John, I agree with the first three words. Who is the royal who is said to have died in 1825 from which everything seems to follow.

This has been discredited following research from John Townsend.

HJR Murray suggested the 5th Earl of Carlisle but JT disproves this

[John Moore]

Thanks John. Thought it was the usual mishmash to try and provide a provenance that doesn't exist.

[Kevin Thurlow]

I am not an art expert, in fact, I know nothing, but it looks not too different from some of his self-portraits (if it is a George Hayter.) Could it be a John Hayter?

But as it's on Ebay, I have doubts. Meanwhile I have an email from a total stranger beginning "Dearest beloved in Christ", that wants to give me $60 million, so I must formulate a response.

[David Sedgwick]

Meanwhile I have an email from a total stranger beginning "Dearest beloved in Christ", that wants to give me $60 million, so I must formulate a response.

Dearest beloved Kevin, I have no paid arbiting work because of the pandemic. Please will you give me 1% of your largesse, namely $600,000.

[Kevin Thurlow]

If I get the money, I'll do that immediately!

[JustinHorton]

Wonder if this was painted by Barry Martin, a friend of Ray Keene.

Plausibly

[John Upham]

Wonder if this was painted by Barry Martin, a friend of Ray Keene.

Plausibly

Was the difference between the first and second editions the words "first" and "second" on the front cover ?

I'm thinking of Flank Openings which used the words first, second, third and fourth as I recall.