Remained with the artist until his death, London, 1873; included in the sale of the Landseer Estate, Christie's, London, 8 May 1874, no. 133, as The Earl and Countess of Sefton; from where purchased by Agnew’s (dealer), London, 1874, stock no. 8698[1]; sold to Henry William Eaton (1816–91), later 1st Baron Cheylesmore (cr. 1887), 6 June 1874; his collection, Cheylesmore Manor, Coventry and Warwick, until 1891; included in the late Lord Cheylesmore sale, Christie's, London, 7 May 1892, no. 40, as Waiting for the ferry[2]; with Leggatt Bros (dealer), London, by 1947; from where purchased, on the advice of A.J.L. McDonnell, for the Felton Bequest, 1947; arrived Melbourne, 1948.
[1] See Agnew’s Picture Stockbook 1874–79, NGA27/1/1/5, pp. 14-15, Thomas Agnew & Sons archive, National Gallery Research Centre, London, https://cld.bz/hPd11Tu
[2] 71 x 112 in, with the description “The portraits were said to have been those of the Earl and Countess of Sefton and Lady Cecelia Molyneux [their daughter].” The painting sold for £220.10.
Exhibited, The Works of the late Sir Edwin Landseer, R.A., Royal Academy Winter Exhibition, London, 1874, no. 256.