The Dancing Dogs

“The Dancing Dogs” (LB No 103 CL No 114) by Abraham Le Blond (1819-94). See Lycett/Martin reference book on page 36.  Two signature version with Le Blond’s and Elliot’s details bottom centre. Not seen with Le Blond’s signature only. On a clean mount, and excellent print colours. Probably an original drawing from Le Blond.

This is the rarest of the Le Blond ovals, probably because the subject became unpopular at the time so the print run was shortened. This is supported by the “Sports & Pastimes” entry for 1831 that declared it not popular except with children and the lower classes of people! This copy was verified by the original Baxter Society in 1931 when they offered the service of authentication with an impressed stamp on to the image, and an applied and signed certification to the rear. See the pictures, signed Etheridge and Heath, two committee members who took it upon themselves to exercise the process.