A Cockermouth auction house is promising lots of Christmas gifts at its next sale.
There will be 1,400 lots for sale in Mitchells next three-day Antiques & Fine Art Sale.
The sale includes a private collection of 30 original drawings by Alfred Wainwright, books signed by Everest mountaineers Hillary and Tenzing, a large collection of vintage Scotch Whisky as well as pictures by Percy Kelly and Michael Woodford, sparkling jewellery and other decorative items.
With estimates starting from £300, the most valuable of the drawings by Alfred Wainwright (1907-1991) are a signed pen and ink illustration of ‘Cold Pike’ with an estimate of £1,200-£1,800 and ‘The Dow Crag Ridge, from Walna Scar’ valued at £800-£1,500.
The collection of 30 original drawings also includes iconic views of Coniston and other Lake District fells as well as Yorkshire, Wales, Scotland and a view of Chatsworth House in Derbyshire worth £300-£400.
A number of signed Wainwright prints, first and later edition books, some signed, as well as many first edition Lakeland sketchbooks are also for sale.
From the same collection is a range of vintage mountaineering books including a 1953 first edition of ‘The Ascent of Everest’ by author and expedition leader John Hunt (1910-1998) signed by Edmund Hillary (1919-2008),Tenzing Norgay (1914-1986) and other members of the expedition team which should sell for £1,000-£1,500.
Just in time for Christmas and the New Year, the sale also features a private collection of some 50 bottles of rare single malt Scotch Whiskies including seven Port Ellen Isle of Islay limited edition bottles, one of only 12,000 bottled in 2002, distilled in 1978, aged 24 years with estimates of £500-£700 each though may sell for considerably more. Also for sale are several very old 1977 limited edition bottles of Ardbeg Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky which should make £300-£500 each.
Highlights amongst the pictures include a valuable charcoal drawing by the renowned local artist Percy Kelly (1918-1993), signed and dated 1959 and depicting ‘The road from West Newton to Allonby’. Measuring 55 x 75cm, framed and mounted, the picture has an estimate of £4,000-£6,000. Also amongst the pictures is a large oil painting by Michael Woodford (British School 1938-2014) titled "No. 3 Wasdale Head". Signed lower left, inscribed with the title and artist’s name and address verso and measuring 151 cm x 152 cm, the painting has a valuation of £1,000-£1,500.
Other sale highlights include a single owner collection of silver featuring an Elizabeth I London 1599 silver seal top spoon by William Cawdell worth £1,000-£1,500, a Columbian emerald and diamond ring with an estimate of £3,500-£4,000, an antique Indian hardwood dowry chest valued at £500-£800 and a pair of Minton Secessionist pottery vases which should make £200-£300.
Day one of the sale on November 29 will include Asian art, ceramics and glassware, jewellery, pocket watches and coins, a single owner collection of silver and other silver and allied wares. Day two of the sale (November 30)will include a single owner Wainwright collection, mountain books, mountain paintings, other paintings, drawings and prints, whiskies, wines and port, objects of art, collectors’ items and metal ware. Day three of the sale will include table boxes, wall clocks, barometers and mirrors. textiles, furniture, longcase clocks, dining tables and chairs.
Lots will be on view in the saleroom. A fully illustrated catalogue can be viewed online at www.the-saleroom.com/Mitchells.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here