Auction 2015

Presented by Christina Williams.

Website: victoriamacdermott.com

‘Fox Study’ is a limited edition print of 250. This print is number 101 of the edition and is numbered and signed by Victoria Mac Dermott. Image size: 34cm x 30cm.

From an early age Victoria Mac Dermott has had a deep passion for the countryside and natural world. Victoria’s knowledge and understanding of both domestic and wild animals in all their natural form and movement is wonderfully reflected in her work. With an instinctive 'feel' for an animal's character and in-depth knowledge of its anatomy, she captures the true essence of her subjects and brings them alive. Working in oil, pastels, charcoal and etchings, her style is traditional and figurative, with a talent which sets her apart from most other wildlife artists of today. 

Born and brought up on a farm in Ireland, Victoria now lives in Devon on the edge of Exmoor with her husband and children surrounded by an array of their animals. Victoria specialises in European and African wildlife and undertakes many private commissions. Victoria has exhibited in a number of exhibitions in England, Ireland and the U.S.A.

Collection/delivery to be arranged with the donor.

Presented by Nigel Hemming.

Nigel Hemming undoubtedly is one of the country’s most successful animal artists. Born in 1957 in Staffordshire, his career has been well documented with transition through the media of watercolour, acrylic, pastel, and finally oil. Living with his own dogs has made Nigel a keen observer of canine behaviour and his images reflect this deep understanding of his subject. He paints pictures not simply of dogs, but about them. The appeal of his work led to him being presented with the Fine Art Trade Guild Published Artist Award in 1996.

Nigel’s works have been published in limited edition form since the mid 1980’s, enjoying ever increasing popularity with each new edition. His published works and original paintings have featured in one-man shows as well as a number of shared exhibitions. His original work has become highly sought after by private collectors and galleries alike.

Nigel has donated to our sale a signed limited edition mounted print titled ‘Park Drive’. This painting is a beautiful portrayal of a pair of Springer Spaniels. It is evening and the setting is an area of traditional English Parkland. A pair of Springer Spaniels emerge from the woodland, flushing birds as they go on the last drive of the day. ‘Park Drive’ was one of two published by Soloman and Whitehead, the other print was titled ‘Senior Service’ and despite being a non-smoker, Nigel thought that the association with two very old and well known brands of cigarette, might, at the very least, amuse potential buyers.

Nigel has always prided himself on finding good titles for his work and believes the title can be an integral part of peoples overall perception of an image.

FREE Postage & packing to UK mainland address.

Presented by William Garfit, The Old Rectory, Harlton, CAMBRIDGE, CB23 1ES.

William Garfit is well known in the sporting world for his articles in the Shooting Gazette. He is also known for his line drawings and wash vignettes which have illustrated over thirty books of country sports. This sepia print, titled ‘ Boyhood Memories’ was specially commissioned by the publisher of the successful book ‘The Fox and the Orchid’ by writer Robin Page. This book has become a “classic” on country sports and the importance of their influence on successful conservation and management of the British countryside.

Approximate size mounted 12in x 10in (Image size 9in x 7.5in).

Available when required from The Heather Trust. FREE postage and packing within the UK mainland.

Presented by Keith A McDougall, Hill House, Bridge Street, WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA, Norfolk, NR23 1QP.

“Lines from Euston – by one who is not going” is a wistful poem, written by A M Harbord, about a gentleman, from another era, as he quietly observes, and envies, a sporting traveller at Euston. This edition is illustrated by Keith McDougall, and measures 41.5cm x 30cm, unframed.

It is available for purchase from The Heather Trust on a ‘buy now only price’ of £10.00 (including postage & packing).

Presented by Patrick Laurie.

The Heather Trust has put together an ID guide for moorland waders, attractively illustrated and designed by Patrick Laurie. Featuring a curlew, a peewit, a greenshank, a dunlin, a redshank, a golden plover, a snipe and a dotterel, the quality poster also includes comments on the individual species, as well as some regional names.

A perfect gift for any upland enthusiast, the A1 wallchart (594mm x 841mm) is printed on quality paper stock and delivered in a cardboard tube.

It is available for purchase from The Heather Trust on a ‘buy now only price’ of £20.00 (including postage & packing).

Presented by Patrick Laurie.

The Heather Trust has put together an ID guide for moorland waders, attractively illustrated and designed by Patrick Laurie. Featuring a curlew, a peewit, a greenshank, a dunlin, a redshank, a golden plover, a snipe and a dotterel, the quality poster also includes comments on the individual species, as well as some regional names.

A perfect gift for any upland enthusiast, the A1 wallchart (594mm x 841mm) is printed on quality paper stock and delivered in a cardboard tube.

It is available for purchase from The Heather Trust on a ‘buy now only price’ of £20.00 (including postage & packing).

Presented by Patrick Laurie.

The Black Grouse is a lively natural history interwoven with an account of his on-going battle to conserve black grouse on his farm in East Galloway. His beautiful illustrations convey his passion for these vulnerable birds, so full of character, from their aggressive lekking behaviour to their desperate struggle to survive against nearly-impossible odds in modern Britain.

‘***** This beautiful book is a labour of love, with its lively text and striking illustrations by the author. ‘ The Scotsman, Sept 2012

‘Whichever background you come from, this is must read as it covers so many basic questions, including the age-old quandary between the shooting world and conservation.’ The Highland News, July 2012

‘It is without doubt a book which, no matter your individual knowledge of the bird in question, you will learn something from. For many, they will learn a lot, because Patrick has done an exceptional job in researching this bird.’ Lindsay Waddell, NGO Chairman, Aug 2012

Patrick Laurie is Project Assistant and Head of the Country Market and Sporting Sale at the Heather Trust, and has written a monthly column for the Shooting Gazette since 2009. The Black Grouse book is signed by the author and available when required from The Heather Trust.

FREE postage and packing within the UK mainland.

Presented by Keith A McDougall, Hill House, Bridge Street, WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA, Norfolk, NR23 1QP.

A signed copy of "A Special Kind of Light" is published in a limited edition of just four hundred and fifty cloth-bound copies with full colour dust jacket illustrated throughout with more than fifty evocative oil paintings and watercolours, plus line illustations, becoming a collector’s book.

This is a picture book for dipping into, for the guest's bedside table or the coffee table. Short text and more personal chapters link the artists' migrations in paint and prose and the reader will relish the atmospheric paintings of the Highlands, Hebrides and Norfolk farmland and marshes. It is truly a record of a lifetime's love affair with some of our most cherished landscapes. A treasure trove of the countryman's gentle approach to the natural world in paint and prose. Through-out the book Keith's deep interest in wildlife and conservation prevails.

Delivery/Collection by arrangement with the Donor.

Presented by Patrick Laurie.

The Classic GCT (now GWCT) “Green Guide” to moorland management – essential reading for keepers, land managers and shooting folk alike.

Excerpt below:

Objectives of grouse management: - The objective of red grouse management is to provide a sustainable harvest of grouse from a specific area of heather moorland within a balanced package of multi-purpose land use. - Multi-purpose land use involves the interests of shepherds, stalkers, and the general public who use the countryside as well as maintaining and enhancing the conservation interest. - Most owners of grouse moors need to produce a reasonable bag of grouse, mostly from driven grouse shooting, although this may not be feasible in some parts of Britain given the constraints of the land and other management priorities. - Multi-purpose land use is important for the uplands and there is no reason why good grouse management cannot run alongside other forms of land use including sheep farming, deer stalking, water catchment, and recreational activities, while maintaining the conservation interest. The only condition is that all parties fairly respect the requirements of other land users.

Price includes P&P

Presented by Peter and Suzanne Greenhill, The Courthouse, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 8HH.

A classic guide book to The Lake District, in print since 1902.

When this book was written, the Lake District spread across the county boundaries of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire. There was no such county as Cumbria. It has been quoted to be 243 pages of pure gold, and Hugh Walpole described it as “the grandest prose writing about the Lake District in existence”.

Hardback 1988 edition, cover with dustjacket, 243 pages.

Collection/delivery to be arranged with the donor.

Presented by Peter and Suzanne Greenhill, The Courthouse, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 8HH.

Formerly “ The Shell Country Alphabet”. A broad-ranging book on countryside issues with drawings and coloured photographs in encyclopedic format.

In the 1960’s Geoffrey Grigson, a poet and author, travelled around Britian writing the story of the secret landscape all around us. From why Yew trees were planted in Church yards, to the best time to see a shooting star, this book will help you to look beyond the familiar sights of our landscape and discover the hidden, magical world that remains, just off the motorway.

A hardback book, 263 pages.

Collection/delivery to be arranged with the donor.

Presented by Peter and Suzanne Greenhill, The Courthouse, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 8HH.

An A-Z guide of the life and landscape of the British Isles. A classical book in encyclopedic format with detailed explanations, cut-away drawings on hundreds of issues, with coloured photographs, maps and sketches.

A hardback book with 535 pages.

Collection/delivery to be arranged with the donor.

Presented by Quiller Publishing Ltd. Wykey House, Wykey, Shropshire, United Kingdon, SY4 1JA.

A Practical Guide for Agriculture, Conservation and Field Sports.

Moorland is the most extensive natural vegetation in the United Kingdom. It is internationally important, culturally and nationally valuable for agriculture, conservation and field sports. Over the past half-century many aspects have been subjected to detailed scientific study so the scale and depth of knowledge about this area is greater than ever before. However, as man's understanding has increased, management standards have tended to decline in many places and there are fewer people living in the uplands with the understanding and skills necessary to make the moorland system work properly in practice and on a sustainable basis.

In Moorland Management John Phillips draws together proven expertise and management tactics for the benefit of those responsible for this wonderful land-type to carry forward into the twenty-first century.

Format: 234 x 156mm, 304 pages Binding: case bound Illustrations: colour photography.

Presented by Edward Chadfield. The Woodlands, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Perthshire, FK19 8PB.

An African Cape Buffalo, one of the 'Big Five' taken by Edward Chadfield in Zambia on a safari expedition in 1992 with a double Manton .470. The head measures 76” from tip to tip via the boss. The shoulder mount was prepared by respected taxidermist Bob Goss of Oswestry.

An unusual and highly sought-after collector’s item in fantastic condition. The Buffalo forms part of Mr. Chadfield’s lifetime collection of memories from around the world. Horns, smaller taxidermy and collectables may also be available by separate negotiation with the donor.

Delivery / collection by arrangement with the donor.

Presented by Edward Chadfield. The Woodlands, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Perthshire, FK19 8PB.

A Greater Kudu from Twin Springs, Zimbabwe, taken by Edward Chadfield in 1998 with a TT Proctor .375. By standard SCI measurements, the horns are 48” long.

The shoulder mount was prepared by respected taxidermist Bob Goss of Oswestry.

Since the days of the British Empire, the kudu has been revered as the symbol of the African bushveldt, and this stunning collector’ s item has been kept in fantastic condition. The Kudu forms part of Mr. Chadfield’s lifetime collection of memories from around the world. Horns, smaller taxidermy and collectables may also be available by separate negotiation with the donor.

Delivery / collection by arrangement with the donor.

Presented by Edward Chadfield. The Woodlands, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Perthshire, FK19 8PB.

A shoulder-mounted Reed Buck from Zimbabwe, taken by Edward Chadfield in 1992. The head was prepared by respected taxidermist Bob Goss of Oswestry.

An unusual collector’s item in fantastic condition. The reed buck forms part of Mr. Chadfield’s lifetime collection of memories from around the world. Horns, smaller taxidermy and collectables may also be available by separate negotiation with the donor.

Delivery / collection by arrangement with the donor.

Presented by Edward Chadfield. The Woodlands, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Perthshire, FK19 8PB.

A beautifully mounted Bush Pig from near Lake Sebakwe in Zimbabwe, taken by Edward Chadfield in 1998. The shoulder mount was prepared by respected taxidermist Bob Goss of Oswestry.

An unusual and very rare collector’s item in fantastic condition. The Bush Pig forms part of Mr. Chadfield’s lifetime collection of memories from around the world. Horns, smaller taxidermy and collectables may also be available by separate negotiation with the donor.

Delivery / collection by arrangement with the donor.

Presented by Edward Chadfield.

A beautiful hen grouse superbly mounted and preserved for posterity. Well preserved birds like these are not easy to come by and always make a wonderful addition to a gunroom or study.

Collection/delivery to be arranged with the donor.

Presented by Edward Chadfield.

This beautifully mounted pochard drake would make a fantastic addition to any gunroom or study.

While pochard are quite common, it is not easy to find mounted specimens for sale – particularly not in this excellent condition.

Collection/delivery to be arranged with the donor.

Presented by Edward Chadfield The Woodlands, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Perthshire, FK19 8PB.

This model is exact scale and of Museum quality. Every shooting man secretly wanted to fly one.

It has a retractable undercairrage, so it can be displayed either standing or flying. It has flown with radio control and still has it’s original engine. Every gun room should have one!

Collection/delivery to be arranged with the donor.

Presented by Edward Chadfield.

A gentleman’s tie, (unused) decorated with pheasant feathers. These unusual ties used to be made in Perthshire and sold in Harrods.

Presented by Edward Chadfield, The Woodlands, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Perthshire, FK19 8PB.

A very well preserved Victorian mounted buzzard, in a naturalistic setting, inside a glass case.

Collection/delivery by arrangement with the donor.