May 2016 Sporting and Collectors Preview
Brian Goodison-Blanks highlights some of the exciting lots coming up in the two
day May 2016 Sporting and Collectors Auction that boasts more than 1,200 items,
ranging from fire arms and swords through militaria and medals to toys and models.
A 5-inch Gauge Live Steam 0-4-2 Slab Sided Tank Locomotive No 1451 in GWR Livery
(SC22/1103), which will be offered for sale during the Two Day Sporting and Collectors
Auction on 18th/19th May 2016 in Exeter and online.
Once again Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood's
Two Day Auction of Sporting and Collectors
items in May 2016
has over 1,200 lots, which will attract a great deal of interest from a wide range
of collectors.
A .41 Calibre Rimfire Double Barrelled Over and Under Remington Derringer Pistol
(SC22/97). Bidders who cannot attend the auction in person will be able place bids
live over the Internet.
A Colt Dragoon, Third Pattern Single Action 6 Shot Percussion Revolver (SC22/112)
from circa 1850 carries a pre-sale estimate of £1,000-£1,500.
Among the selection of antique firearms is a
.41 calibre Rimfire double-barrelled
over and under Remington Derringer pistol
(SC22/97). In excellent condition with much of the original colour to the barrels,
it has not suffered from the cracking to the screw mount that this type of pistol
is prone to and so should easily reach the upper end of its pre-sale estimate.
The name Derringer automatically conjures images of the Wild West but also included
in the sale is a maker that is entwined with the history of the Americas, Samuel
Colt. The third pattern
Colt Dragoon
(SC22/112) was introduced around 1850 and is in good original condition. The matching
numbers to the frame and trigger guard will attract collectors in America who will
be able to use online bidding during the sale.
A 17th Century Turkish Kilij (SC22/201) is expected to fetch between £5,000 and
£8,000 in the May 2016 auction.
The craftsmanship of antique weapons is always a pleasure to see with the range
of swords included in the auction. Perhaps the highlight of this section of the
sale is the
17th century Turkish Kilij
(SC22/201) with its gold inlaid decoration to the blade and the turquoise and coral
decorated scabbard. Many people often think that older pieces do not have the quality
of latter examples, but in truth in the 17th century before mechanisation of manufacturing
processes, craftsmen were at a pinnacle of their work using traditional hand work.
The pre-sale estimate for the Kilij of £5,000-£8,000 is quite simply a reflection
of the quality of this piece.
The strength of the
militaria and medal
market continues to challenge the old establishment of ceramics and furniture as
the auction world's most popular category. Considering the interest and rise in
values of medals over the past few years, this section again has several highlights.
The medal group with the Military Cross with Two Bars awarded to Major Daniel Douglas
Pole-Evans of the Royal Field Artillery (SC22/353) recalls his exceptional bravery.
Given what we know of the conditions of the battlefields during WWI, it is quite
something to understand the bravery of those who won the
Military Cross
(SC22/353), but to subsequently win a further two bars for the MC is quite
remarkable. This is precisely what Major Daniel Douglas Pole-Evans, Royal Field
Artillery, did during The Great War.
War creates unprecedented situations and under these circumstances brings out the
most remarkable characters and bravery from people such as Flight Lieutenant Gerald
R Haggas AFC who was awarded the
Air Force Cross
(SC22/318) and local characters like
Lieutenant Col Terrence 'Sailor' Kitcat CBE DSO MC
(SC22/360). That these medals groups are sought after by collectors is perhaps a
mark of respect for their achievements and adds yet another chapter to their legacy.
A WWII Air Force Cross Group of Five awarded to Flight Lieutenant Gerald R Haggas
AFC, together with Log Books, Papers and Related Books (SC22/318).
Lieutenant Col Terrence 'Sailor' Kitcat CBE DSO MC: A Miniature Group of Ten Medals,
A George V Royal Naval Dress Sword and Dirk as well as a pair of Amber Snow Goggles
and a Pick (SC22/360).
Memories of childhood are always prevalent when cataloguing the collectors' sale
and it is easy to see why. For those of us who grew up looking in toy shop windows
at Dinky cars, train sets and Britains figures, we were of a generation that used
their imagination to create new and fantastic worlds, rather than have them zapped
into us by a games consul. The
live steam trains like the 5 inch gauge example
(SC22/1103) and the
early Carette Ramsbottom configuration train
(SC22/1102) can still immerse you in the age of steam, while the
Mekon mask
(SC22/1200) can send you off into space in an instant.
Carette For Bassett-Lowke: A Gauge I 2-2-2 Ramsbottom Configuration Live Steam Locomotive
and Tender 'Lady of the Lake' (SC22/1102).
Dan Dare and the Mekon: a green mache Mekon publicity mask from the first Hutton
Boys & Girls exhibition, Olympia 1956 (SC22/1200).
There are plenty of items from which to choose a favourite in the sale, but for
me one of the most amusing are the Britains, Lambeth Walk Dancing Couple for the
London musical 'Me and My Girl'. Issued in 1939 only, it is rare to find a set amongst
a box of soldiers, but it's even rarer to find two sets (SC22/869
and
SC22/870).
It's going to be hard not to start singing from the rostrum!
Britains: Lambeth Walk Dancing Couples for the London Musical 'Me and My Girl',
issued in 1939 only (SC22/869 and SC22/870).
- Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood
- Sporting and Collectors Auctions
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