Description
Vanity Fair “The Champion of 1885” – John Roberts Jr., Spy (Leslie Ward)
An 1885 Vanity Fair lithograph by “Spy” (Sir Leslie Ward), portraying billiards champion John Roberts Jr. standing at the table, cue in hand. The composition is characteristically restrained, with careful attention to posture and dress, set against a minimal interior that draws focus to the sitter’s composed concentration.
Issued as part of Vanity Fair’s celebrated series of caricature portraits, this print documents one of the leading figures in late 19th-century cue sports. Ward’s work remains a defining visual record of prominent personalities of the era, combining subtle caricature with sharp observation.
SEO Text
Original 1885 Vanity Fair lithograph of billiards champion John Roberts Jr., illustrated by Spy (Sir Leslie Ward). The image captures the subject in a poised moment at the billiards table, typical of the publication’s iconic portrait series.
Vanity Fair prints are widely collected for their historical significance and distinctive style, with sporting subjects such as billiards adding cross-category appeal. Works by Leslie Ward are particularly sought after within the series.
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