Wilk cartoons and taxidermy: Lots on offer at country sporting sale – Times & Star

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A collection of Wilk hunting cartoons, taxidermy by world-renowned Van Ingen of Mysore and Carl Church and a 1930s Purdey shotgun are amongst the highlights in Mitchells next three-day Country Sporting Sale.
The 1937 J Purdey & Sons of London 12 bore side by side shotgun is expected to sell for between £6,000 – £7,000 (Image: Supplied)
The most valuable lot in the sale is likely to be the 1937 J Purdey & Sons of London 12 bore side by side shotgun with 28″ barrels which comes with a leather and brass cornered motor case. The auctioneers believe the shotgun should sell for between £6,000 – £7,000.
The highest value lot amongst 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-£3,500.
A Pine Grosbeak in a glazed oak case (Image: Supplied)
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 10lbs 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-£150 each.
A Wilk cartoon dated 1982 depicting Johnny Richardson and the Blencathra Foxhounds is expected to make £200-£300 (Image: Supplied)
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-£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 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 9 ct gold brooch decorated with a fox’s head should make £20 to £30.
Highlights amongst 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.
The first day of the sale (Wednesday, October 11) will include guns and ammunition. Day two (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 (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.
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