Robert Walker Macbeth (1848-1910) rare etching – Late for Ferry Boat, King's Lynn, Norfolk

Late for Ferry Boat, River Great Ouse, King's Lynn, Norfolk; etching – Robert Walker Macbeth  (1848-1910).

A 19th century etching on card published Art Union of London, 1892 – the right side of the etching has been removed before framing (code SN10-38). 

Scottish artist Robert Walker Macbeth features fisherfolk dashing for the ferry to King's Lynn, beside the River Great Ouse.

The largest version of this subject was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1892, no.551 (featured below). It was 165cm wide. An earlier and smaller oil version, from 1881, is in the collection of Museums Sheffield (featured bottom).

The etching has been taken from the larger 1892 version and is slightly different to the original, with less mist and more people.

The updated picture was praised by many art critics in 1892. The Art Union of London secured the copyright of the picture and commissioned Macbeth to produce etchings of the original work.

This etching has been removed from inside an old frame that was damaged. The original etching has had the right quarter-side removed before being mounted, almost certainly because the owner felt the entire scene's 60cm-width was too much for their personal hanging or, less likely, they preferred the left-sided crop. 

Many cropped versions of the scene were reproduced by Macbeth and others. The bottom picture is held by King's Lynn Museum. The entire scene is posted underneath that, but is not the etching available for sale here.

Macbeth was a painter and engraver born in Glasgow. He was also an illustrator for the weekly newspaper The Graphic. 

He studied at the Royal Scottish Academy School and first exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy in 1867.

Best known for his watercolours, he had a unique etching style, very different from Haden or Whistler, that attracted much work.

Many of his landscapes were painted in Lincolnshire and in the West Country, although he spent much of his life in London.

He exhibited at the Royal Academy regularly from 1873 until 1904, where he exhibited 70 pictures, most famously, this one.