From fishing rods, reels and tackle to fine sporting guns and taxidermy, there are several highlights at Mitchells’ next Country Sporting Sale.
The three-day sale takes place at Mitchells’ Cockermouth saleroom from Wednesday April 17 to Friday April 19.
There are a number of highlights in the sale.
Sporting guns
The most valuable of the sporting guns is expected to be a 1947 William Powell of Birmingham 12 bore side by side shotgun with 28″ barrels and a leather and brass cornered motor case which has an estimate of £5,000 to £6,000.
Also for sale is a Caesar Guerini Maxum 28 bore over/under shotgun with 32″ multi choke barrels which should make £2,700 to £3,000.
Local guns include a William Murdock of Whitehaven 14 bore single barrel percussion sporting gun with 31 1/2″ Damascus barrel with an affordable estimate of £200 to £300.
Also of interest for shooting enthusiasts will be a signed limited edition James Purdey & Sons Gun and Rifle Makers 200 Years of Excellence book by Donald Dallas, bound in black leather and with a maroon outer case which could make £300 to £500.
An unusual Waterford Crystal revolver and six cartridges, a one-off design produced by Waterford Crystal exclusively for the vendor, has an estimate of £120 to £180.
A pair of Leica Trinovid 10 x 42 BN binoculars is expected to make £200 to £300.
Fishing
Highlights among the fishing lots are an 1830 Ustonson brass pull winch fishing reel with a bone handle, marked to the side ‘Ustonson maker to His Majesty, Temple Bar London’ with an estimate of £1,500 to £2,000.
A Charles Farlow & Co. four-tiered concertina fly box containing around 100 salmon flies is expected to sell for £70 to £100.
A framed and mounted photograph of Joe Graham, of Brewery Cottage, Cockermouth, holding a 34lb hen fish taken from the River Derwent on October 20 1918 should sell for £40 to £60.
Taxidermy
Among the taxidermy is a fine wall-hanging case displaying a pair of kingfishers, with rocks, trees and watercolour background, attributed to the celebrated Victorian taxidermist Murray of Carnforth, which is expected to sell for £300 to £500.
Also for sale is a collection by Peter Spicer & Sons of Leamington Spa, one of the greatest firms of British taxidermists in the late 19th and early 20th century, which includes 10 fox and otter masks from local Cumberland hunting packs such as the Melbreak and Ullswater Foxhounds.
A fox mask labelled Melbreak Foxhounds Darling How November 7th 1942, a second labelled Killed at Isel February 5th 1935 and a third labelled Ullswater Foxhounds Mardale April 29th 1935 have estimates of £180 to £220 each, the latter being of historical interest since Mardale was flooded four months later in August 1935 to create Haweswater reservoir.
Other highlights
A watercolour Wilk cartoon by John William Wilkinson (1906-1994) depicting John Peel of Blencathra Foxhounds and an American gentleman in a 10 gallon hat with the caption “I only said I would give you £5,500 for your little trumpet” has an estimate of £300 to £500.
The caption relates to the Keswick antique dealer Brassy Johnny, known for selling hunting horns to busloads of American tourists.
Two gilt slip and oak framed photographs of the Cockermouth Beagles by Cockermouth photographer F Nainby, one showing the Last hunt of the season Buttermere 1899, the other Cockermouth Beagles last hunt of the season Buttermere 1902 have estimates of £50 to £80 each.
Other notable lots include a Royal Copenhagen Icelandic Falcon figure, designed by Christian Thosmen No. 263 estimated at £100 to £150 and a silver handled riding crop in the form of a horse’s head, marked Sheffield 1980 Maker S&B with an estimate of £70 to £100.
When does Mitchells Country Sporting Sale take place?
The first day of the sale on Wednesday April 17 will include guns and ammunition. Day two on Thursday April 18 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 April 19.
How can I see the lots on offer at Mitchells Country Sporting Sale?
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 April 15 from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday April 16 from 10am to 7pm and throughout each sale day.
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 should contact James Moore on 01900 827800.
What’s next at Mitchells?
Entries are still open for Mitchells online Maritime & Transport Sale from Friday May 10 to Monday May 20, which already includes a head-turning 2006 Piaggio Vespa LX50 scooter with an estimate of £400 to £600.
So if you have something to sell on a maritime or transport theme contact Claire Machin for a free valuation on 01900 827800. Entries close Friday April 30.
Do you have something valuable?
Do you have something which might be valuable? Mitchells now offer free drop-in valuations at their Cockermouth saleroom Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
So whether it’s a painting, a piece of jewellery or something else, just drop by with your items – or a photo if they’re too big to carry – for a free, no obligation appraisal by one of their expert valuers.
