Artworks by celebrated Cumbrian and a large local collection of rare coins were among the highest selling lots at Cockermouth auction house Mitchells which resulted in one of its best sale totals in recent years.
The most valuable lot was a charcoal on paper drawing by Sheila Fell (1931-1979) which sold for £10,400 against an estimate of £1,000-£2,000. Titled Christmas 1979 and measuring 29x39cm, the artwork was formerly owned by the Sharrow Bay Country House Hotel on Ullswater and had previously been exhibited at Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, in 1981 and 1989.
Also for sale were 60 artworks by Percy Kelly (1918-1993) from the private collection of Joan David, his close friend and correspondent during the last decade of his life.
Comprising mainly illustrated letters, small paintings and envelopes which were sent, gifted or bought directly from the artist himself, this auction was the first time the artworks had been shown in public and made available for sale on the open market.
The collection sold for £59,000 with the most valuable artworks being illustrated letters titled West Cumberland Hamlet which sold for £3,000 while Brampton Cumberland dated 1984 sold for £2,900. A portrait titled Lady in Purple, a less typical subject for Kelly, made £2,100.
A large single owner collection of more than 40 gold guineas and half guineas from west Cumbria made more than £51,000. Such was the rarity and excellent condition of many of the coins, competition was fierce between collectors both in the saleroom and online resulting in many lots achieving prices well in excess of their estimates. The highest selling coin was a George II guinea dated 1732 which made £2,350 against an estimate of only £500-£600.
Other sale highlights included an 18ct white gold diamond necklace which sold for £7,800. The most valuable lots among the furniture were a Waring and Gillows extending mahogany dining table which sold for £4,100 and a pair of Regency rosewood brass mounted three tier whatnot stands which made £3,100.
A George III mahogany longcase clock by Nicholson of Whitehaven made £2,000 and a fine 19th century marine chronometer by Graham and Parkes achieved £2,100.
The next three-day antiques and fine art sale will be held from June 14-16 with a closing date for entries of May 16.
For free valuations and to consign items for sale, contact James Forster or Mark Wise on 01900 827800.
Also coming soon is the sale of a huge collection of 00 gauge model railways and railwayana from a deceased estate in west Cumbria to be auctioned on Thursday April 13. The collection comprises more than 1,000 locomotives, including around 400 of them boxed, and approximately 3,000 pieces of rolling stock, as well as display cases, pictures, railway signage, lamps, books, model kits and a large amount of crafting materials for building scenery.
