A fine collection of antique Tiger and leopard skins feature in our August Fine Art sale, by direct family descent from the legendary huntsman Sir Archie William (Ibby) Ibbotson.
25/07/2024
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Educated at King Edward’s School, Birmingham and Cambridge, he joined the Civil Service and was attached to the Indian Civil Service, based in Bombay. He acquitted himself well in the Great War and was awarded the MC and later an MBE.
As Deputy Commissioner of Garhwal, Ibby had to deal with the menace of the man-eating leopard of Rudraprayag, causing terror across the district, the animal was reputed to have been responsible for 125 deaths. He came under pressure to report the attacks and protect the villagers from the man-eater. Frustrated by the lack of Government response, he set out to actively pursue the trail of the leopard. Jim Corbett, already a renowned hunter of man-eaters, was sent for, and over the next few months, together they pursued the leopard until they prevailed. The story of the hunt was later detailed in Corbett’s 1948 book ‘The Man-Eating Leopard of Rudraprayag’.
In 1944, in recognition of 35 years of service to the British empire in India, Ibbotson was knighted and in 1947 left India for British East Africa. Together with his wife settling in Karen, near Nairobi, they were later joined there by Jim Corbett. In further books by Corbett there are details of their friendship, adventures, and their joint investment in a safari and tourism company "SafariLand". The company's profile was given a boost when they hosted the crew and assisted in the logistics for the Metro Goldwyn Mayer's production of King Solomon's Mines in 1949.
The collection of five leopard and tiger skins starring in our Fine sale on the 6th and 7th of August sale carry estimates ranging from £150-£2000. It is unknown whether any of these mighty beasts were known man-eaters, but Ibbotson was undoubtedly Jim Corbitt’s first choice as hunting colleague when he was called upon to rid an area of a rogue big cat. Corbitt wrote of him:
"Of all the men I have been on shikar with, Ibbotson is by far and away the best, for not only has he the heart of a lion, but he thinks of everything, and with it all, is the most unselfish man that carries a gun” - Jim Corbett - Man-Eaters of Kumaon (OUP Bombay, 1944).
With grateful thanks to Preetum Gheerawo for many of the words above.
A very rare slice of wedding cake from the marriage of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip has sold at auction for £2,200.
06/10/2024
An important pair of oil paintings by Edward Dayes (1763-1804) are to appear at auction for possibly the first time in their history; they will be sold in Reeman Dansie’s Royalty, Fine Art & Antiques sale on Wednesday 6th November.
22/10/2024
Two rare classic cars have been uncovered in a rural Suffolk barn, following decades off the road. The 1950’s Mercedes - Benz 220 Type A Convertible and 1921 Talbot - Darracq with a combined age of 175 years are being offered for sale due to the passing of their owner.
09/10/2024