A James Dixon & Sons game counter (see photo right) proved to be the highlight of the Sporting sale on the 2nd February. Always popular, the counter differed from the more usual model of “Pheasants” and “Hares” inscribed on opposing dials, by having four dials inscribed “Partridge”, “Rabbits”, “Pheasants” and “Hares” on the front face. The bidding was fought out in the saleroom and on the telephone eventually realising £1,600. The selection of guns included in the sale also proved to be popular; amongst them a John Dickson and Son of Edinburgh, 12 gauge double barrel, side by side, box lock shotgun made £730 and a Charles Boswell of London, 12 gauge, Damascus double barrel, side by side, hammer action shotgun made £480. Taxidermy also sold well, the highest selling lot of the section being a collection of four stuffed and mounted exotic pheasants in a carved oak framed display case in the Gothic Revival taste at £760.

The TV cameras will be here on 16th February, filming another episode of Dickinson’s Real Deal. Having filmed the initial part of the programme in Cheltenham during January, they will be seeing if the participants made the right choice by sending the items to auction.

An interesting collection of modern signed sporting, Rock & Roll, TV and film memorabilia will also be offered in the sale on Friday 16th       Februaury, including a U2 signed gold guitar (see photo below), various signed football shirts, signed vintage film posters and a plastic plate signed by Sir Jimmy Saville!!

The majority of the residual contents of Ewan Manor is also to be entered into the same sale, with other items to be included in the Selected Antique sale on the 2nd March and the Selected Picture and Antiquarian Book sale on the 31st March.