James Lippett Clark (1883-1969) American, "King Buck", 1955

James Lippett Clark (1883-1969) American, "King Buck",
signed, "King Buck/Jas L Clark SC/ 1955", bronze with black patina.
11" long x 5.5" wide x 9.5" high.
Walnut base with a silver presentation plaque, 13" x 6.75" x 2.25" high.

King Buck (1948-1962) was a legendary Labrador retriever who lived a rags-to-riches life worthy of a Hollywood movie. Born in Iowa in 1948, as a young pup he nearly died of distemper. Nursing him back to health and recognizing his potential, owner Robert Howard of Omaha, Nebraska, prophetically named him King Buck. John Olin, developer of Winchester's Super-X shotshell, bought King Buck in 1951. A year later Buck won the National Field Trials, earning him the distinction as the finest retriever in the nation. Incredibly, he repeated the performance the following year. During his career, King Buck completed 83 national series, of a possible 85. No other retriever has completed more than 62.

The 1959 Federal Duck Stamp commemorated retrievers and their contribution to waterfowl conservation. A call to entry was made and wildlife artist Maynard Reece's watercolor portrait of the now retired King Buck was chosen, marking the first time a dog appeared on a U. S. stamp. (See photo.)

King Buck died in 1962. His latest honor came in 1992 when he was inducted into the Retriever Hall of Fame.

Olin commissioned wildlife sculptor James Lippett Clark to produce a life-sized statue of his beloved canine. That statue now marks the grave of what many consider the finest retriever that ever lived. An edition of 15 small versions was issued and this copy was given by Olin to his wife Evelyn as a Christmas gift in 1955.