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Pen of Theaves,

Everyday stories of country folk: 60 years of The Archers and MERL: 1951-2011, History of the World

R. Whitford (Artist)

This oil on canvas painting shows a shepherd hold a crook, with five young sheep around his feet. It is inscribed 'The 1st prize Pen of Theaves at Chester 21st July 1858'. It was painted and signed by R. Whitford in 1858. It is one of a collection of paintings and prints thought to date from the last quarter of the 18th century to c.1860.

1 painting: frame with perspexInscription on painting reads: The 1st prize Pen of Theaves at Chester, 21st July 1858.

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'PEN OF THEAVES // Description // PEN OF THEAVES // Oil on canvas // Painted and signed by R. Whitford 1858 // Inscription on painting: // The 1st prize Pen of Theaves at Chester 21st July 1858 // Dimensions // Framed [no glass] // 36 in x 24 in // Associated information // P.D. Carter's No 705', MERL miscellaneous note - 'Image used in Farmers Weekly Calendar 1971 (D71/36)', MERL miscellaneous note [The Royal Smithfield Club] – ‘A letter was received from the Museum in which it was stated that they had been given an opportunity to purchase a collection of paintings and prints of Farm Livestock executed during the period from the last quarter of the 18th century to about 1860. These include animals which had won prizes at the Smithfield Shows of 1834 and 1851… At the request of the Council, Mr. W. J. Cumber and Mr. P. M. Colebrook inspected the paintings and prints, and they were unanimous in recommending that the Club should purchase the prints and present them to the Museum… The Museum have agreed that the collection shall be recorded as The Royal Smithfield Club Collection.’, Letter, E. R. C. Tasker [Royal Agricultural Society of England] to MERL, 15 December 1969 - 'In reply to your letter dated 1st December, forwarded for attention by the Society's Stoneleigh officer, there were no classes specifically for sheep of the Cotswold breed at the Chester Royal Show in 1858. // However, in Class 3 of the section for "Long-woolled Sheep not qualified to compete as Leicesters" the First Prize of £20 for the owner of the best pen of five shearling ewes of the same flock was awarded to William Hewer of Hill House, Northleach, Gloucestershire, for his pen of 1 year 4 month Cotswolds.'

1858 - 1858

Paint, Canvas