As a specialist in mounting African wildlife, Carl E. Akeley (1864-1926) had his full share of colorful adventures, including a safari with Teddy Roosevelt. During two collecting safaris for Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History, he was mauled by a leopard (which he strangled) and pinned by an enraged bull elephant. He survived to create the famed Hall of Mammals at New York’s Museum of Natural History. Earlier, however, he distinguished himself as a sculptor, and one of his works,”The Wounded Comrad,” is among the highlights at Bonhams Sporting Gun Sale on July 27 in London, where it’s estimated at $65,000-$98,000.
Some exceptional guns are featured at the auction as well, including a Parravicini-engraved 20-bore, single-trigger over-and-under sidelock ejector gun by Luciano Bosis, no. 232 with a fitted steel case (est. $54,000-$61,000). Two other featured lots are a Tallett-engraved 20-bore (2æin) ‘Premier’ single-trigger over-and under sidelock ejector gun by E.J. Churchill (est. $35,000-$40,000), and a 12-bore (2æin) single-trigger over-and-under ejector gun by Boss & Co., no. 8225 In a relined brass-mounted oak and leather case with reproduction Boss & Co. trade-label.
Read more at Bonhams.
