A rare print depicting a couple playing an early form of badminton from a rare series of twelve scenes of pastimes and activities originally painted by Francis Hayman. One of twelve designs originally painted by Hayman to decorate the supper boxes at Vauxhall Gardens. A man and a woman are playing battledore, a forerunner of badminton, using shuttlecocks or "birdies". They are playing inside a mansion, which is decorated with a fireplace and large portraits, while a second woman is sitting down and keeping score. Text below image: Ah! happy State, that void of Guilt and Care, Drives the light machine whirling thro' the Air, Whilst the brisk motion and address impart, Force to the Limbs & Pleasure to the Heart. Yet e'en in This, Life's image we behold, The Sport of Youth, the Business of the Old- Pastime of Children, Cares of Age we know, Are Cork and Feathers banded to and fro. Nathaniel Parr was an engraver active in London between 1739 - 1767. Although he worked predominantly for Bowles and other publishers he was also himself a print publisher. Francis Hayman (1708 - 1776) was a painter of history, portrait and genre. Born in Devon in 1708, he apprenticed to Robert Brown in 1718, producing scene paintings for Drury Lane Theatre. He went on to decorate supper boxes and pavilions at Vauxhall Gardens for Jonathan Tyers and he also contributed 31 pictures to a 1744 edition of Shakespeare's plays by Sir Thomas Hanmer, later portraying many leading contemporary actors in Shakespearean roles, including David Garrick as Richard III. Hayman taught at St. Martin's Lane Academy and was involved in the Society of Artists foundation in the 1760's, becoming President in 1766-68, and was also a foundation member of the Royal Academy. He exhibited at the SA 1760-68, and the RA 1769-72. John Bowles (c.1701-1779) was a British printmaker and publisher, and a member of the prolific and numerous Bowles family of printmakers. The second son of Thomas Bowles I, he established a publishing house in his own name following the passing of the family business to his older brother Thomas Bowles II after their father's death. In 1752, his son Carington joined the business, which traded under the name John Bowles & Son until 1764, when Carington took over the running of the original Bowles publishing house from his uncle, Thomas Bowles II. John Bowles specialised in mezzotint, especially portraits, though he also produced numerous topographical series and genre scenes. Condition: Professionally repaired holes to top and lower margin. Professionally repaired lower left corner. Surface marks to sheet.