1873 – The Mastiff

“The Mastiff – by Harrison Weir” is a full page book plate image, taken from the “Chatterbox Album of Animals”, published by W.W.Gardner, circa 1878.  This version was originally published in an 1873 edition of “Chatterbox” (hence our date), but was also included in this collection of images. The short anecdote accompanying the illustration, relays an interesting history,  and reads as follows:  “The old English Mastiff was the watch-dog of the period, and generally used to sleep before his master’s door, keeping watch and ward. It is said that Sir Henry Lee, when severely wounded at the battle of Agincourt, was protected by his mastiff while lying helpless, and it is from a descendant of this very dog that our picture is taken.”

Prints currently available in A4, A3 and A2 sizing options.