Lot 79: GEORGE EARL (BRITISH, 1824-1908) A set of three portraits of the champion p

GEORGE EARL (BRITISH, 1824-1908) A set of three portraits of the champion pointers: Hamlet, 1868; Bang, 1876; Drake, 1875 signed and inscribed ‘Champion Hamlet 1868’ (lower centre) ‘Geo Earl’ (lower right); signed and inscribed ‘Champion Bang Geo. Earl. 1876.’ (lower centre); signed and inscribed ‘Champion Drake 1875 Geo Earl.’ (lower right) oil on canvas, the three works held in a Viscount Linley designed screen each panel 137.5 x 51.4cm (54 1/8 x 20 1/4in), overall screen 220 x 183.5cm (86 5/8 x 72 1/4in).

Published in 1906, William Arkwright’s ‘The Pointer and His Predecessors: An Illustrated History of the Pointing Dog from the Earliest Times’ would be the definitive guide to this breed and its development. Arkwright states that the advent of the first Field Dog Trial in 1865 would mark a turning point in the breeding of the Pointer. From here the finest gun dogs could be pitted against one and other, and judgement would be passed by an authoritative body. Both Hamlet and Drake are described by Arkwright as the leading dogs in the earliest years of these trials. Bang enjoyed similar success and would sire the majority of future winners in the first decades of the trials. ‘Whitehouse’s Hamlet, Garth’s Drake! What names to conjure up visions of past glory in the game-fields of England! Mention [them] and you have named...cornerstones in the foundation of the Point breed. Add the name of Price’s Champion Bang and you have heralded the principal fountainhead as we know it in this country today.’ The Sportsman’s Bookshelf, Volume XIII, Hunting Dogs and Their Uses: The Stackpole Company, Harrisburg, PA, 1951