Background:

The antique Sports prints shown on this page are based on illustrations by William Nicholson (1872-1949), who also did the wood engravings on which the lithographs are based.  The prints portray a variety of British sporting activities throughout the year and were part of a calendar published in 1898 titled An Almanac of Twelve Sports.

Nicholson was an English painter, wood block engraver and designer of stained glass windows.  His paintings included portraits of English nobility and leading personalities of the day, still life, landscapes and illustrations for children's magazines.  He also did design work for the theatre.

Each print was accompanied by a poem authored by the English poet Rudyard Kipling.  The prints are sold with a copy of the accompanying poem.