61/243

Barford with Leicester Sheep,

M. & N. Hanhart (Printer)

This is a tinted lithograph print of an oil painting by H. Barrard, showing Valentine Barford with his pure-bred Bakewell Leicester sheep. The lithograph was produced by M. & N. Hanart, c.1850. Valentine Barford was a Northamptonshire stockbreeder. The painting was 'Presented to Mr. Valentine Barford by his friends as a token of their respect for his upright conduct and of his great perseverance and ability in keeping up the true character and form of the pure breed Bakewell Leicester Sheep.'

1 print in frame: paper, wood

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'PRINT - Lithograph // Description // BAKEWELL LEICESTER SHEEP // Tinted Lithograph of Valentine Barford with his sheep [pure-bred Bakewell Leicester] // Painted by H. Barraud // Lith. M. and N. Hanart // No Publisher or Date // c.1850 // Dimensions // Framed in narrow light wood frame. // 86.0cm wide x 73.0cm high // Associated information // This picture came to MERL from The City of Leicester Museums and Art Gallery. // The original oil painting and other family documents are held by Mr. Barford... // Valentine Barford was a Northamptonshire stockbreeder. // Lithograph of Valentine Barford and his Leicester sheep. // From the Picture // Presented to Mr. Valentine Barford by his friends as a token of their respect for his upright conduct and of his great perseverance and ability in keeping up the true character and form of the pure bred Bakewell Leicester Sheep. // colour slide 4188 // References // Rothamsted catalogue No 150, p52.', Photocopy of archive item – 'Presentation of the Testimonial Portrait to Valentine Barford at the Talbot, Towcester // 25 November 1857 // gift of about 150 of his friends. VB and 3 sheep 'one in, and two out of wool'. Painted by Henry Barraud. Chairman J Yorke Esq said he believed Barford's pure-bred Bakewell Leicester sheep were the best for wool and meat for this locality. Tho' small they were hardy, arrived early at maturity and gave a quicker return than any other breed. // Barford explained how he had bred his sheep. // Said his father bred from Bakewell of Dishley's sheep in the herd of Mr Robinson of Wellingborough Lodge. Calls B of D 'the greatest master of the science of breeding this country, or perhaps the world ever saw'. Contd to use the sheep of Mr R until 1810 when they were of the opinion that no further improvement was to be affected by continuing. Looked around - but decided to breed from their own stock. And from then on have bred without any admixture of new blood. Sd had been accused many times of being wrong. Urged to use new blood and to artificially feed up his sheep to force them 'to an apparently greater size'. // Says recently demand for his sheep has grown. // VB had no son. // 30 of the subscribers were from Norfolk.' // Source: N. Herald 28 Nov. 1857.'

Greater London [region]

1850 - 1850

Paper, Wood

Lithography, Printed