An early proof of Old Sarum was ready by autumn 1829. On 19 January 1830 Constable wrote ‘The Old Sarum is perfect’ and it was first published in December 1830 (see P 2449.15). Always indecisive, Constable seems later to have found fault with the print and asked Lucas to engrave a fresh plate. In the later state, the shepherd has acquired a larger flock and a heightened contrast between light and dark has been introduced.