Strong prices were achieved for singular rarities in this, our inaugural Cabinet of Curiosities Auction.
The backbone of this most unusual sale was formed by a private Highland collection of natural history, with these important pieces selling for record sums. A rare quadruple sea lily crinoid dating to the Jurassic period made £5,750 on the hammer, whilst a Gibeon meteorite of good and attractive form fetched £5,000, and an unusual nest of six Hadrosaur eggs were snapped up at £4,200.
Fine books also permeated the auction, with the best sellers being a set of five of Andrews’ Botanist Repository at £1,300, and an important copy of the pre-Darwinian On Naval Timber by Patrick Matthew at £1,300.
A spy was amongst us too, with the early Demon Detective Camera produced by the American Camera Co. in the 1880s making £1,500, as well as a gold digger, a prospector’s blowpipe kit by Fletcher & Sons making £800.
This sale was such a rip roaring success, another is currently scheduled for February of next year. For a complimentary, no-obligation valuation, make an appointment to visit our Glasgow Galleries, send details to our specialists by clicking this link and completing the short form, or call us on 0141 810 2880.
Lot 509 - A LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY TAXIDERMY ARMADILLO BASKET
Sold for £75
Estimated at £40 - £60
Lot 512 - A 20TH CENTURY RESIN TEACHING MODEL OF A HUMAN SKELETON
Sold for £140
Estimated at £100 - £150
Lot 529 - A LARGE PAIR OF TAXIDERMY TEXAS LONGHORN CATTLE HORNS
Sold for £160
Estimated at £80 - £120
Lot 589 - A LARGE TAXIDERMY BRINDLED GNU (CONNOCHAETES TAURINUS) WILDEBEEST
Sold for £300
Estimated at £300 - £500
Lot 599 - A LATE 19TH CENTURY CONTINENTAL CARVED MOTHER-OF-PEARL SHELL
Sold for £110
Estimated at £40 - £60
Lot 602 - A LARGE FOSSILISED GONIATITE AND ORTHOCERAS FORMATION
Sold for £650
Estimated at £200 - £400
Lot 627 - A BLOWPIPE ANALYSIS OR 'PROSPECTOR'S' KIT BY LETCHER & SONS
Sold for £800
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 629 - AN IMPRESSIVE FOSSILISED CHORISTODERA SKELETON
Sold for £1,800
Estimated at £2,000 - £3,000
Lot 630 - A SET OF ELEVEN 19TH CENTURY FRENCH BOTANICAL ENGRAVINGS
Sold for £100
Estimated at £200 - £400
Lot 641 - CARSON'S MEDICAL BOTANY VOLUMES ONE AND TWO (OF FIVE)
Sold for £300
Estimated at £200 - £400
Lot 649 - THE CLASSES AND ORDER OF THE LINNAEAN SYSTEM OF BOTANY
Sold for £260
Estimated at £100 - £200
Lot 651 - BROOK'S NEW CYCLOPAEDIA OF BOTANY AND COMPLETE BOOK OF HERBS
Sold for £110
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 658 - RAY SOCIETY MONOGRAPHS, TWELVE MID TO LATE-19TH CENTURY VOLUMES
Sold for £280
Estimated at £200 - £400
Lot 661 - MARILAOUN & OLIVER'S NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS IN 4 VOLS.
Sold for £95
Estimated at £40 - £60