A collection of Wilk hunting cartoons, taxidermy by world-renowned Van Ingen of Mysore and Carl Church and a 1930s Purdey shotgun are among the highlights in Mitchells’ next three-day Country Sporting Sale this month.
Held from Wednesday October 11 to Friday October 13 at its Cockermouth saleroom, the most valuable lot is likely to be the 1937 J Purdey & Sons of London 12 bore side-by-side shotgun with 28″ barrels which comes with a splendid leather and brass cornered motor case.
Auctioneers believe the shotgun should sell for between £6,000 and £7,000.
The highest value lot among the taxidermy is expected to be a 1939 leopard head mounted on an ebonised shield by Van Ingen of Mysore, one of the world’s greatest taxidermy firms serving international nobility as well as the Maharajas of India for nearly 100 years before finally closing in 1991.
The leopard head is expected to sell for between £3,000 and £3,500.
Another taxidermy of a Pine Grosbeak in a glazed oak case by the world renowned Carl Church of Pickering, North Yorkshire should sell for £300 to £400.
A 10lb 8oz brown trout measuring 29” long caught in Loch Rannoch in 1974 and mounted on an oak shield by Tony Armitstead of Darlington also has an estimate of £300 to £400.
Other notable lots amongst the taxidermy are three otter masks mounted by Raine Bros of Carlisle from the Cumberland Otter Hounds in the 1930s which are valued at £100 to £150 each.
A selection of highly collectable hunting cartoons by the renowned Keswick illustrator John ‘Wilk’ Wilkinson (1906-1994) are up for auction including a watercolour cartoon dated 1982 depicting Johnny Richardson and the Blencathra Foxhounds at the Blencathra Kennels which should make £200 to £300.
Fishing rods and reels include a Sage Graphite IV salmon fly rod in four sections valued at £120 to £180, a Hardy Graphite Salar salmon fly rod in three sections with an estimate of £100 to £150, and a Hardy Angel 11/12 salmon fly reel with spare reel and pouches which should make £100 to £150.
Other eye-catching sporting items for sale include an Elkington & Co silver pipe stand in the form of three Lee Enfield military rifles dated 1919 with an estimate of £50 to £80.
A pair of cold painted bronze ashtrays with onyx bases in the form of a fox and a Bedlington terrier, by Douglas of Keswick, should make £50 to £80.
A 20th century Lalique figure of a bird, possibly a robin, has an estimate of £30 to £50 and a 9ct gold brooch decorated with a fox’s head should make £20 to £30.
Highlights among sporting artworks include an oil on canvas by William Ellis Barrington Browne (1908-1985) titled Waiting for Pigeons Calmsden with an estimate of £70 to £100.
A limited edition Wildtrack Wildlife Art of a grey partridge dated 1992 should make £40 to £60.
Two framed and mounted watercolours by Norma E Roy of Haaf netters on the Solway are expected to sell for £20 to £30.
When is Mitchells’ Country Sporting Sale?
The first day of the sale on Wednesday October 11 will include guns and ammunition. Day two on Thursday October 12 will feature shooting accessories, taxidermy, ceramics, books and pictures. Fishing rods, reels and tackle will be sold on day three of the sale on Friday October 13.
An illustrated catalogue can be viewed online at www.the-saleroom.com/Mitchells where salegoers can also register to bid live online during the auction.
Alternatively lots can be viewed in person at Mitchells town centre saleroom in Cockermouth on Monday October 9 from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday October 10 from 10am till 7pm and throughout each day of the sale.
A printed, text only catalogue is available for £3 from the saleroom. Anyone requiring further information about these and other lots featured in the auction are asked to contact auctioneer James Moore on 01900 827800.
What is coming up at Mitchells?
Entries are now invited for Mitchells next three-day Antiques & Fine Art Sale from November to December 1, with a closing date for entries of Tuesday October 31.
This sale will feature a special section of Cumbrian art and members of the public are invited to bring their local artworks and jewellery to the saleroom for a free appraisal at a Drop-In Valuation Event on Friday October 20 between 10am and 2pm, hosted by picture specialist James Forster and jewellery specialist Mark Wise.
Charity pop-up valuation events
For those in the South Lakes and wider area, valuer David Brookes will also be hosting two more Pop-Up Valuation Events in aid of St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston on Friday October 13 at the hospice and another on Friday October 27 at Millom Library.
Just drop by with your items between 10am to 2pm for a free valuation in return for a donation to support the hospice.
David can also be contacted to arrange free valuations and home visits at [email protected]
