Isolated ellipticals and their globular cluster systems I. Washington photometry of NGC 3585 and NGC 5812

The globular cluster (GC) systems of isolated elliptical galaxies have only recently begun to be studied in detail, and may exhibit morphological connections to the evolutionary histories of their hosts. Here we present the first in a series of wide-field analyses of the GC systems of the isolated ellipticals - Washington C and R photometry of NGC 3585 and NGC 5812 down to R similar to 24 mag. The GC systems are characterised, with each system displaying both the Universal blue peak at (C - R) similar to 1.3, and a red peak, but each with differing strengths. The total number of GCs in each system, and their specific frequencies, are estimated. The GC colours and specific frequencies are highly indicative that the host galaxy environment plays a role in shaping its GC system. We produce, and subtract, accurate models of each galaxy, revealing interesting underlying features, including the first definitive evidence that NGC 5812 is interacting with a dwarf companion galaxy. From the galaxy models we also determine surface brightness and colour profiles. Both colour profiles appear quite flat and with (C - R) similar to 1.7 and we discuss the apparent youth of NGC 3585 in the context of this work.