Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
1. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) A Crossing Shot Watercolor on paper, 61/2 x 91/2 inches
Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture Volume II
a catalog presented in collaboration
PETER L. VILLA FINE ART, LLC
American & European Paintings from the 18th – 21st Centuries P.O. Box 143 – 10 Todd Avenue Peapack, New Jersey 07977 In New York by Appointment 212-371-1196 peter@plvillafineart.com www.peterlvillafineart.com and
RED FOX FINE ART
Sporting Paintings & Sculpture P.O. Box 385 – 1 North Madison Street Middleburg, Virginia 20117 703-851-5160 F. Turner Reuter, Jr. tr@redfoxfineart.com www.redfoxfineart.com
2. ALBERT LAESSLE (American, 1877-1954) Chanticleer Signed, inscribed and dated 1912 Bronze; rich brown patina, 181/2 x 83/4 x 51/2 inches
A Note of Introduction
W
e are pleased to present this second collaborative volume of significant paintings and sculpture by artists who celebrate the essence of the field sports and country life. In our current environment of anxious uncertainty, the presence of this genre of fine art in our lives strengthens our connection with the natural world, reminds us to appreciate its abundance, and provides a pleasant encouragement to embrace it. The selection of artworks in this catalogue is intended to illustrate these leading artists’ exceptional abilities and the perceptive interpretation of their subjects accomplished with unique styles and diverse mediums. Once again, we are fortunate to be able to represent the work of Ogden M. Pleissner in considerable depth, a remarkable talent whose facility with the brush has inspired a new generation of artists. Please note that all paintings and sculptures are offered subject to prior sale. Artworks can be viewed by appointment, or by delivery to the buyer’s location on approval. Prices, provenance, and full details of each entry are available on request.
Peter L. Villa
F. Turner Reuter, Jr.
Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture Volume II a catalog presented in collaboration
Peter L. Villa Fine Art & Red Fox Fine Art Copyright 2020 Peter L. Villa Fine Art, LLC / Red Fox Fine Art All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without written permission of the publishers. ISBN-13: 978-0-578-71435-6 Library of Congress Control Number: 2020911383 Published in the United States by Peter L. Villa Fine Art, LLC & Red Fox Fine Art Printed in the U.S.A. by District Creative Printing, 6350 Fallard Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland Layout and Design: Andrew Hock Artwork Photography: Brian Birlauf Brandon Webster Mariah Texidor
Front Cover: OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (detail) Plate 9 Opposite: ARTHUR FITZWILLIAM TAIT (detail) Plate 18
3. HERBERT HASELTINE (American, 1877-1962) Percheron Stallion: Rhum, 1921-1924 Signed HASELTINE on the marble base Bronze; unusual silver patina with gold highlights on the mane, tail and hooves 12 x 12 x 4 inches, with marble base 14 x 131/2 x 5 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
HERBERT HASELTINE Percheron Stallion: Rhum, 1921-1924
Provenance: Private Collection, United Kingdom Collections: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, Paul Mellon Collection, 86.134. Philips Andover Academy Art Museum, Andover, Massachusetts Evergreen Museum & Library, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland This portrait of the Champion Percheron stallion Rhum was modelled in the 1920’s as part of the Field Museum's (Chicago, IL) ‘Champion Animals’ project. Haseltine first modelled three Percherons, of which Rhum was one, in plasticine at the Greyling Stud in Warwickshire. He showed a grouping of all three together cast in plaster and silver-leaf at the exhibition of the British Champion Animals at the Galerie George Petit, Paris in 1925. He then decided the composition did not read well and subsequently cast 'The Percheron Stallion Rhum' and 'The Percheron Mare Messaline and Her Foal' as two separate models. Of Rhum, Haseltine later recalled he had “powerful quarters, a spirited head, a large, expressive eye and delicately shaped ears… with head erect, and turned slightly to the left, eyes accompanying the movement his lips were beginning to quiver, preparatory to neighing, as he would do when he heard the mares being turned out in the nearby pasture”. Casting Note: Haseltine produced the model of Rhum in three sizes as a part of the British Champion Animal Series. The large version approximately one quarter life-size, was limited to just one or in some cases two examples with the first of each going to the Field Museum. The medium version was one eighth life-size and was produced on demand as a part of a complete set, although research suggests that less than ten casts of this set were made. Finally, a small version, one sixteenth in size was produced and sold as a complete set – just six of these were made. The present example is from the medium size edition and is a particularly fine example of this model produced circa 1940. Previous examples, with one exception, have had more traditional patinas and less or no gilding on the forelock, hooves and tail.
Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
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The Art of Ogden M. Pleissner
O
Collection of Shelburne Museum Archives
ver the course of many years, a considerable number of artists have endeavored to capture the essence of fly-fishing for salmon and trout, gunning for waterfowl, shooting ruffed grouse and woodcock, quail or driven grouse; however few have managed to equal the work of Winslow Homer, Frank W. Benson, A.L. Ripley, and Ogden Pleissner. Pleissner considered himself to be a “landscape painter who also likes to hunt and fish.” He is an artist whose beautiful renderings of the natural environment always leave out some detail for the mind’s eye to fill in, thereby drawing the viewer into the oil painting or watercolor. Pleissner felt that “a fine painting is not just the subject ... it is the feeling conveyed of form, bulk, space, dimensionality, and sensitivity. The mood of the picture, that is the most important.” Thomas S. Buechner, an old friend and an authority on art history, has this to say about Ogden Pleissner: “There is a special joy in witnessing a champion performance – in tennis, politics, or in painting. Anyone who knows anything about recording the visual world in paint must be awestruck by Pleissner’s performance. Extremely complicated subjects are rendered so accurately, so spontaneously, so appreciatively that comparison with Homer and Sargent is inevitable … Catching a fish or fueling a plane may be the subject, but the picture is about an emotion that the artist has; he uses these things, arranges them, colors them, lights them to convey a mood ... Pleissner invites us to transcend our focus on action to see the whole scene – quietly, and from a little distance.” Sporting art is exactly that, art with a sporting theme. There is obvious or hidden prey in the picture and game is depicted in a well-painted landscape that may also include a figure holding a rod or gun; or simply could be an image of a stream, river, marsh, moor or hillside where one senses that a fish or bird lies in waiting. Artists who have the potential to create great sporting art know well the habits of the wild creatures, and have committed to memory every detail of their habitats. These artists have experienced the thrill of an Atlantic salmon or a large trout taking a well-presented fly, the explosion of a bursting covey of quail, sunrise over a duck marsh, running the rapids in a canoe, or sleeping under the stars. Ogden Pleissner is one of these men and his great skill as an artist can be recognized by the fine collection of his oils and watercolors illustrated in this catalog. Peter Bergh Author of The Art of Ogden M. Pleissner
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
4. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) Salmon Leaping on the Miramachi Signed Watercolor on paper, 18 x 27 inches
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5. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) Fishing the George Signed Watercolor on paper, 16 ½ x 26½ inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
6. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) Waiting for the Rise Signed Watercolor on paper, 161/2 x 261/2 inches
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7. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) Evening at Fraser’s Pool Signed Watercolor on paper, 71/2 x 101/2 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
8. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) Indian Camp on the Moisie River Signed Watercolor on paper, 9 x 14 inches
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9. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) Salmon Fishing Signed Watercolor on paper, 8 x 10 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
10. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) Casting the Pool Signed Watercolor on paper, 11 x 17 ½ inches
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11. ARTHUR BURDETT FROST (American, 1851-1928) Quail Shooting - Walking Up Signed and dated 1881 Black wash, ink & gouache on paper, 12 x 141/2 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
12. ARTHUR BURDETT FROST (American, 1851-1928) Live Pigeon Shooting at the Morristown Gun Club Signed Watercolor and gouache on paper, 11 x 17 inches
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13. JOHN SARGENT NOBLE (British, 1848-1896) The Keeper’s Bothie Signed and dated 1879 Oil on canvas, 41 x 51 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
14. PROSPER LECOURTIER (French, 1855-1924) Hound Bitch and Pups Signed Bronze; dark green patina, 161/2 x 141/2 x 91/2 inches
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15. GEORGE ARMFIELD (British, 1808-1893) Spaniels Putting up a Pheasant Signed and dated 1864 Oil on canvas, 28 x 36 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
16. JAMES HARDY, JR. (British, 1832-1889) Gun Dogs and Game Signed and dated 1888 Oil on canvas, 28 ½ x 36½ inches
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17. EDMUND H. OSTHAUS (American, 1858-1928) Pointer with Quail Signed and dated 1890 Oil on canvas, 261/2 x 351/2 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
18. ARTHUR FITZWILLIAM TAIT (American, 1819-1905) Setters on Quail Signed, inscribed and dated 1883 Oil on canvas, 12 x 16 inches
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19. AIDEN LASSELL RIPLEY (American, 1896-1969) October Day - Walking Up Woodcock Signed and dated 1938 Watercolor on paper, 15 x 24 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
20. AIDEN LASSELL RIPLEY (American, 1896-1969) Springers and Pheasants Signed and dated 1948 and signed, inscribed and dated 1948 on verso Oil on canvas, 27 x 40 inches
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21. ARTHUR FITZWILLIAM TAIT (American, 1819-1905) On Point, a Setter and Pointer with Snipe Signed, inscribed and dated 83 Oil on panel, 6 x 12 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
22. GEORGE COPE (American, 1855-1929) Cabin Door: Hanging Snipe Signed and dated 1912 Oil on canvas, 20 x 16 inches
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23. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) Duck Shooting Signed Watercolor on paper, 17 ¾ x 27¾ inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
24. FRANK W. BENSON (American, 1862-1951) Canada Geese Coming In Signed and dated ‘28 Watercolor on paper, 19¼ x 24 inches
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25. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) The Duck Blind Signed Watercolor on paper, 7 x 93/4 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
26. AIDEN LASSELL RIPLEY (American, 1896-1969) Near the Old Orchard Signed Watercolor on paper, 18¼ x 29 inches
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27. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) Waiting for the Drive Watercolor on paper, 8 x 10 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
28. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) The Stonewall Drive Signed Watercolor on paper, 17 x 28 inches
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29. JOHN FREDERICK HERRING, SR. (British, 1795-1865) Feeding Time in the Farmyard  Signed and dated 1858 Oil on canvas, 24 x 36 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
30. JOHN FREDERICK HERRING, SR. (British, 1795-1865) Dr. Caius, the Property of the Earl of Eglington Signed and dated 1843 Oil on canvas, 28 x 36 inches
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31. BENNO RAFFAEL ADAM (German, 1812-1892) Vixen and Cubs Signed and dated 1852 Oil on canvas, 32 x 45 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
32. JOHN FREDERICK HERRING, JR. (British, 1815-1907) Before the Meet Signed Oil on canvas, 28 x 37 inches
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33. JOHN FREDERICK HERRING, SR. (British, 1795-1865) Tramp, A Bay Racehorse Signed and dated 1828 Oil on panel, 14 x 18 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
34. ISIDORE JULES BONHEUR (French 1827-1901) Groom Leading a Horse in Sidesaddle Tack Signed and inscribed PEYROL Bronze; rich dark brown patina, 16 1/4 x 211/4 x 81/4 inches
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35. JAMES LYNWOOD PALMER (British, 1868-1941) Don Sancho and KCB Held by their Lads Signed and dated 1932 Oil on canvas, 40 x 60 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
36. GILBERT HOLIDAY (British, 1879-1937) Ascot Signed Watercolor on paper, 10 x 16 inches
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37. LIONEL D. EDWARDS (British, 1878-1966) The East Essex Hunt Signed Watercolor & gouache on paper, 17 x 29 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
38. LIONEL D. EDWARDS (British, 1878-1966) Over the Ditch Signed Watercolor & gouache on paper, 18 x 14 inches
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39. CHARLES WALTER SIMPSON (British, 1885-1971) The Quorn Hunt, Near Billesdon Coplow, Walter Wilson, on Optimist, Major A. Burnaby, on Cherribob Signed and dated 1933 Oil on canvas, 38 x 72 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
40. CECIL ALDIN (British, 1870-1935) J. Ashton Radcliffe, M.F.H., Hunting the South Dorset Pack at Milborne Wood Signed and dated 1922 Pastel on paper mounted on board, 41 x 71 inches
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41a. FREDERICK R. LEE (British, 1798-1879) The Bridge Pool, one of a pair Signed and dated 1839 Oil on canvas, 50 x 40 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
41b. FREDERICK R. LEE (British, 1798-1879) Anglers by the Rapids, one of a pair Oil on canvas, 50 x 40 inches
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42. PAUL WAYLAND BARTLETT (American, 1865-1925) Crocodile Signed and inscribed Bronze; dark brown patina with warm brown highlights, 53/8 x 23 x 121/2 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
43. WILLIAM HUGGINS (British, 1820-1884) Lion Portrait Signed and dated 1877 Oil on canvas, 30 x 25 inches
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44a. ISIDORE JULES BONHEUR (French, 1827-1901) Standing Bull, one of a pair Signed and inscribed PEYROL Bronze; dark brown patina with golden brown highlights, 271/2 x 361/2 x 10 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
44b. ISIDORE JULES BONHEUR (French, 1827-1901) Walking Bear, one of a pair Signed and inscribed PEYROL Bronze; dark brown patina with golden brown highlights, 271/2 x 32 x 11 inches
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45. GEORGE COPE (American, 1855-1929) Cabin Door: Hanging Ducks Signed and dated 1903 Oil on canvas, 23 x 16 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
46. GUSTAVE MUSS-ARNOLT (American, 1858-1927) A Brace on Point Signed Oil on canvas, 16 x 20 inches
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47. JOHN MARTIN TRACY (American, 1844-1893) On Point Signed Oil on canvas, 16 x 24 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
48. GEORGE BROWNE (American, 1918-1958) Quail in the Pine Woods Signed Oil on canvas, 18 x 26 inches
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49. WILLIAM M. PAXTON (American, 1869-1941) Autumn Shooting Signed Oil on canvas, 32 x 18 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
50. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American 1905-1983) Grouse Shooting Signed Watercolor on paper, 18 x 28 inches
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51. PERCIVAL LEONARD ROSSEAU (American, 1859-1937) Three Setters on Point Signed Watercolor on paper, 20 x 28 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
52. AIDEN LASSELL RIPLEY (American, 1896-1969) Pine Cover Grouse Signed and dated 1935 Watercolor on paper, 18 x 25 inches
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53. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American 1905-1983) Grouse Shooting Signed Watercolor on paper, 16 x 27 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
54. GEORGE BROWNE (American, 1918-1958) At The Crossing 1957 Signed Oil on canvas, 22 x 32 inches
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55. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) Landing a Heavy Salmon Signed and dated 1931 Oil on canvas, 22 x 24 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
56. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) Salmon Fishing Signed Oil on canvas, 18 x 22 inches
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57. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) Fishing the Riffles Signed Watercolor on paper, 14 ½ x 21½ inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
58. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) A Rise Near the Cabin Signed Watercolor on paper, 17 x 27¼ inches
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59. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) A Perfect Day Signed Oil on canvas, 24 x 36 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
60. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) Rising Mist - Cran Serre, Moisie River Signed Watercolor on paper, 18 x 28 inches
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61. OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (American, 1905-1983) The Gondolier Signed Watercolor on paper, 18 x 28 inches
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Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
Index Adam, Benno Raffael Vixen and Cubs (Plate 31) Aldin, Cecil J. Ashton Radcliffe, M.F.H., Hunting the South Dorset Pack at Milborne Wood (Plate 40) Armfield, George Spaniels Putting up a Pheasant (Plate 15) Bartlett, Paul Wayland Crocodile (Plate 42)
Herring, Sr., John Frederick Feeding Time in the Farmyard (Plate 29) Dr. Caius, the Property of the Earl of Eglington (Plate 30) Tramp, A Bay Racehorse (Plate 33) Holiday, Gilbert Ascot (Plate 36) Huggins, William Lion Portrait (Plate 43)
Barye, Antoine-Louis Reclining Bear (Plate 62)
Laessle, Albert Chanticleer (Plate 2)
Benson, Frank W. Canada Geese Coming In (Plate 24)
Lecourtier, Prosper Hound Bitch and Pups (Plate 14)
Bonheur, Isidore Jules Groom Leading a Horse in Sidesaddle Tack (Plate 34) Standing Bull, one of a pair (Plate 44a.) Walking Bear, one of a pair (Plate 44b.)
Lee, Frederick R. The Bridge Pool, one of a pair (Plate 41a.) Anglers by the Rapids, one of a pair (Plate 41b.)
Browne, George Quail in the Pine Woods (Plate 48) At The Crossing 1957 (Plate 54) Cope, George Cabin Door: Hanging Snipe (Plate 22) Cabin Door: Hanging Ducks (Plate 45) Edwards, Lionel D. The East Essex Hunt (Plate 37) Over the Ditch (Plate 38) Frost, Arthur Burdett Quail Shooting - Walking Up (Plate 11) Live Pigeon Shooting at the Morristown Gun Club (Plate 12) Hardy, Jr., James Gun Dogs and Game (Plate 16) Haseltine, Herbert Percheron Stallion: Rhum, 1921-1924 (Plate 3) Dairy Short Horn, Lily Carter II, 1922-1924 (Plate 63) Herring, Jr., John Frederick Before the Meet (Plate 32)
Muss-Arnolt, Gustave A Brace on Point (Plate 46) Noble, John Sargent The Keeper’s Bothie (Plate 13) Osthaus, Edmund H. Pointer with Quail (Plate 17) Palmer, James Lynwood Don Sancho and KCB Held by their Lads (Plate 35)
Grouse Shooting (Plate 53) Landing a Heavy Salmon (Plate 55) Salmon Fishing (Plate 56) Fishing the Riffles (Plate 57) A Rise Near the Cabin (Plate 58) A Perfect Day (Plate 59) Rising Mist - Cran Serre, Moisie River (Plate 60) The Gondolier (Plate 61) Ripley, Aiden Lassell October Day - Walking Up Woodcock (Plate 19) Springers and Pheasants (Plate 20) Near the Old Orchard (Plate 26) Pine Cover Grouse (Plate 52) Rosseau, Percival Leonard Three Setters on Point (Plate 51) Simpson, Charles Walter The Quorn Hunt, Near Billesdon Coplow, Walter Wilson, on Optimist, Major A. Burnaby, on Cherribob (Plate 39) Tait, Arthur Fitzwilliam Setters on Quail (Plate 18) On Point, a Setter and Pointer with Snipe (Plate 21) Tracy, John Martin On Point (Plate 47)
Paxton, William M. Autumn Shooting (Plate 49) Pleissner, Ogden M. A Crossing Shot (Plate 1) Salmon Leaping on the Miramachi (Plate 4) Fishing the George (Plate 5) Waiting for the Rise (Plate 6) Evening at Fraser’s Pool (Plate 7) Indian Camp on the Moisie River (Plate 8) Salmon Fishing (Plate 9) Casting the Pool (Plate 10) Duck Shooting (Plate 23) The Duck Blind (Plate 25) Waiting for the Drive (Plate 27) The Stonewall Drive (Plate 28) Grouse Shooting (Plate 50)
62. ANTOINE-LOUIS BARYE (French, 1796-1875) Reclining Bear Signed Bronze; dark brown patina 53/4 x 8 x 53/4 inches Important Sporting Paintings & Sculpture
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Back Cover: 63.
Opposite:
OGDEN M. PLEISSNER (detail) Plate 29
HERBERT HASELTINE (American, 1877-1962) Dairy Short Horn, Lily Carter II, 1922-1924 Signed HASELTINE on marble base Bronze; unusual green and brown patina, 81/2 x 121/2 x 41/2 inches, with the marble base 10 x 13 x 51/2 inches
PETER L. VILLA FINE ART, LLC
American & European Paintings from the 18th – 21st Centuries www.peterlvillafineart.com
RED FOX FINE ART
Sporting Paintings & Sculpture F. Turner Reuter, Jr. www.redfoxfineart.com