Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

SIR MALCOLM CAMPBELL’S GUN TO BE SOLD AT GLENEAGLES

A GUN belonging to Legendary World Speed Record Holder, Sir Malcolm Campbell will be included in Gavin Gardiner’s auction of Fine Modern and Vintage Sporting Guns at the world-famous Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland on Monday, August 24, 2009. The sale, held in association with Sotheby’s, will start at 6pm.

The 12-bore boxlock ejector gun by London gun-maker Henry Atkin is expected to fetch £2,000-3,000 and was used by Sir Malcolm, until his death on New Year’s Eve 1948. It was then given by his son, Donald – also a holder of land and water speed records – to the present owners uncle.

Malcolm CampbellSir Malcolm Campbell broke the land speed record nine times between 1924 and 1935 and was the first person to drive at more than 300mph. His car “Bluebird” is the best known of all record-breaking vehicles. He also set the world water speed record four times in his Bluebird boat, attaining a record speed of 141.7mph in 1939.

Auctioneer and Expert in Charge, Gavin Gardiner said: “I am very pleased to be selling this gun, which belonged to a legend of the driving world. We have a tradition of selling items relating to motor racing and speed at Gleneagles. In 2007, we sold a fine pair of guns that had belonged to Sir Jackie Stewart for £64,800 and Sotheby’s sold a magnificent painting by Jack Vettriano of “Bluebird at Bonneville” for £468,000, two days later.“

Elsewhere in the auction, an unusual 12-bore “Crocodile’ gun by David McKay Brown, that has been wonderfully engraved by highly acclaimed Goldsmith and foremost Gun Engraver Malcolm Appleby (b. 1946). The round action ejector gun, which was made in 1981, has 27- inch barrels and has been engraved and carved to give the appearance of a crocodile. It is estimated at £20,000-30,000 and appears unused.

A rare 12-bore hammer ejector gun by James Purdey & Sons, built in 1895 for Lord Ripon as Earl De Grey and is expected to sell for £35,000-45,000 Lord Ripon, Earl de Grey, was born in 1852 and became the second Marquis of Ripon in 1909. He is arguably the greatest game shot of all time with a recorded lifetime’s total of 556,813 head of game.

A fine pair of 20-bore “Royal” model self-opening sidelock ejector guns by London maker Holland & Holland are expected to sell for between £50,000 and £70,000. Built in 1965 the guns remain little used and retain all of their original finish.

A rare 1 ½ bore breech-loading London pattern Punt gun by Holland & Holland, built in 1886 and remaining in a fine condition is expected to sell for between £10,000 and £15,000. With a barrel some 106-inches in length (8ft 10in, 2.7 meters) it is one of the largest Punt guns to be offered in recent years and is especially unusual as relatively few were built by Holland & Holland.

VIEWING:
London at Sotheby’s 34-35 New Bond Street
17-18 August 2009

At Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire
22-24 August 2009

A fully illustrated catalogue is available from late July
and will cost £10 (plus postage).

Next Auction: Wednesday, December 16, 2009
at Sotheby’s, New Bond Street, London

For further information please contact 01798 875300 or 07831 645551
or visit www.gavingardiner.com

For Press Information only
Please contact Rachel Aked
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07790 732448