STEEL ENGRAVING - "SELLING THE PET LAMB" from the painting by William Collins, engraved by A. L. Dick, published in 1865. This engraving is in excellent condition. The picture measures 5” x 6 3/8”, and is matted to 11" x 14" for easy framing.

William Collins was born 1788, and died 1847. He was the father of Wilkie Collins, the celebrated novelist.

The troubles of the widow and the fatherless have come upon this household; poverty has prompted the “Sale of the Pet Lamb.”

We know how intense is the joy, and how keen the grief of childhood; how sincere and deep-rooted its affections, and whoever has witnessed the peculiar affection which a pet lamb inspires in its human companions, must know that on the score of affection the lamb is the pet of pets.

The plot of this picture is admirably conceived, indeed, we may say “the picture is a tragedy.” The mother, baby in arms, is being paid the price of favourite, by the butcher; the eldest child, old enough to comprehend the inevitable necessity of the sacrifice, stands by with the corner of her apron in her eyes; and the sympathetic attitude of the butcher’s dog bespeaks and understanding and pity which we feel can hardly be accidental. In the foreground is the lamb surrounded by his affectionate playmates, who, grief-stricken at the impending separation, demonstrate in a despairing manner their solicitude. One offers the poor pet a drink of milk, his last drink in the house of friends; another clasps his arms around its neck, and another bravely goes forth to battle with the butcher’s boy, unequal though the battle must appear. The butcher’s big boy, with steel buckled round his waist (suggestive of the cruel fate in store for the lamb) and halter in hand, is simply amused at “the fuss” the children make over a lamb; his occupation has long since made him a stranger to sentiment or pity where dumb animals are concerned.

We can imagine the wail of the children after their lamb is gone, and that the remembrance of their childish bereavement will likely be carried far into their lives.

The landscape is perfect, and worthy the renown of the great master.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Antique prints, engravings, and lithographs are printing processes, which use steel, copper, stone or wood blocks or plates to produce a picture on paper.

Most antique prints and engravings, which are seen on the internet today, are bookplates. Because they are pages from a book, there are multiple copies in existence. This does not, however, mean that they are "reproductions" that have been printed recently.

Because they were, at some point, part of books, some have been preserved in excellent condition, while others show signs of age, as yellow spots or darkness on the edge of the page from being handled.

Engravings, lithographs, etc., are high quality pieces of art, as it took a highly trained artist many hours of work to produce one. Although there may be multiple copies still in existence, the date of the item should be stated, thus giving the buyer an idea of its age.

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