Bookie Collection

Bookmaker - Turf Accountant - James Dowsett of 38 Duke Street, Brighton. circa 1950s

Doncaster, from St. Stephens Review Presentation Cartoon, 17 September 1887
XCF136709 Doncaster, from St. Stephens Review Presentation Cartoon, 17 September 1887 (colour litho) by Merry, Tom (c.1852-1902); Private Collection; (add.info)

Comic postcard, woman at the races with bookie, placing a bet both ways Date: 20th century

Sketch in the Ring - "I'll Bet Against Clincher", 1850. Creator: John Leech
Sketch in the Ring - "I'll Bet Against Clincher", 1850. Turf accountant William Davies at the Epsom horse races:..the reader will recognise a well-known member of the ring

One of the bookies at the White City Greyhound Track keeps an eye on the action on the track. 7th September 1946

Three Card Trick (colour litho)
3641658 Three Card Trick (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Three Card Trick. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Inn Scene, c. 1820 (oil on panel)
2829810 Inn Scene, c.1820 (oil on panel) by Rippingille, Edward Villiers (1798-1859); 36.2x43.9 cm; Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, UK; eBristol Museums, Galleries & Archives; Purchased

A tic-tac man at work on a soap box on Epsom Downs racecourse. Date: 1937

The Oncourse Bookie, c. 1905 (colour litho)
619503 The Oncourse Bookie, c.1905 (colour litho) by Thelem, E. (fl.1890-1920); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; French, out of copyright

The green man (colour litho)
3641648 The green man (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The green man. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

May, Settling for the Derby, Long odds and long faces (engraving)
5997824 May, Settling for the Derby, Long odds and long faces (engraving) by Cruikshank, George (1792-1878); Private Collection; (add.info.: May, Settling for the Derby, Long odds and long faces)

Man in evening dress making a phone call (colour litho)
3094460 Man in evening dress making a phone call (colour litho) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Man in evening dress making a phone call)

A young race-goer places a bet during a night at the dogs, White City Greyhound Track. 7th September 1946

Jump Sunday, Aintree. Colourfull tipster Prince Monolou charms a crowd of spectators who visited the famous Aintree Racecourse to inspect the jumps for the Grand National to be run next Saturday

Appleby Horse Fair, Cumbria, England - a bookmaker writes the odds for a horse trotting race on a board. He wears braces and a straw sun hat. Date: 1990

Chippy Norton - Late Victorian era Bookmaker
Mathew Dawson (18201898) - a British racehorse trainer based at Newmarket. In a career which lasted from 1840 until his death in 1898, he trained the winners of twenty-eight British Classic Races

Horses running in Duke of York Handicap, Kempton Park, Surrey, illustrating a fixtures card for October 1936. Date: circa 1936

Racegoers and bookies at the Epsom Derby, 1933. Date: 1933

A Bookmaker and his client outside the Ram Inn, Newmarket (w / c with pen & ink on paper)
XYC322080 A Bookmaker and his client outside the Ram Inn, Newmarket (w/c with pen & ink on paper) by Rowlandson, Thomas (1756-1827); 24.1x19.4 cm; Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection

Epsom Races: The Betting Post (oil on canvas)
XYC159656 Epsom Races: The Betting Post (oil on canvas) by Pollard, James (1792-1867); 30.8x47.3 cm; Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, USA; English, out of copyright

Weighing and Rubbing Down and The Betting Post, c. 1789 (litho)
XZL151184 Weighing and Rubbing Down and The Betting Post, c.1789 (litho) by Rowlandson, Thomas (1756-1827); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

DORE: LONDON, 1872. Outside the Ring. Crowd of people outside the racetrack during a derby in London. Wood engraving after Gustave Dore, from the series London: A Pilgrimage, 1872

Joe Thompson - Bookmaker - late 19th century
Portrait by Phil May of Joseph (Joe) Thompson (18381909) The Leviathan - an Australian (although born in England) bookmaker and well-known figure in the racing (and other sports)

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"Bookie: The Turf Accountant Who Keeps the Betting Fever Alive" Step into the world of bookmaking with James Dowsett, a renowned bookmaker from Doncaster. In a captivating presentation cartoon from the St. Stephens Review on 17 September 1887, Dowsett's expertise in calculating odds and taking bets is showcased. A comic postcard captures the essence of betting fever as a woman eagerly places her bet with a bookie at the races, exploring both sides of luck. This scene epitomizes the thrill and anticipation that surrounds this age-old tradition. At White City Greyhound Track, one can witness how bookies like Dowsett keep an eagle eye on every race, ensuring fair play and accurate payouts for all participants. Their presence adds to the excitement and intensity of each event. The artistry of gambling is not limited to horse racing alone; it extends to games like Three Card Trick depicted in vibrant color lithographs. These images remind us that they are masters at navigating various forms of entertainment where wagers are placed. Even historical paintings such as "Inn Scene" from around 1820 portray lively scenes where individuals engage in friendly bets over drinks. Bookies have been woven into society's fabric for centuries, adding an extra layer of amusement to social gatherings. Epsom Downs racecourse comes alive with tic-tac men working their magic atop soapboxes during races in 1937. These skilled communicators use hand signals to relay information between punters and bookmakers swiftly - an essential part of any successful betting experience. "The Oncourse Bookie, " captured in a colorful lithograph circa 1905, showcases these fascinating characters who bring life to racetracks worldwide. With their distinctive attire and charismatic personalities, they create an atmosphere brimming with anticipation and possibility. Lastly, we encounter "The Green Man, " another mesmerizing lithograph capturing moments when fortunes change hands through calculated risks.