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We are privileged to offer the sporting collection of John S. Peterson
of Peterborough. A member of one of Peterborough’s first families, Mr.
Peterson and his wife traveled the world to hunt and fish and knew many of
the famous sportsmen of their time. He was the son of equally avid
outdoorsman Walter A. Peterson. Over many decades, they assembled the
interesting and varied collection of art, books and other items to be
offered at this sale.
John Swen Peterson was the
first of the family to come to America, arriving from Denmark in the 1800’s.
He was a master furniture maker and avid sportsman. He later turned his
talents to making decoys and hunting and fishing items in Maynard,
Massachusetts.
His son Walter Rutherford
Peterson inherited his love of hunting, fishing and collecting fine arts.
With his wife Helen and sons, Walter Rutherford Peterson Jr. and John
David Peterson, they enjoyed many expeditions to both near and far away
destinations. These included Newfoundland, New Brunswick, the Alaska
Territory, British Columbia, the Yukon, North and South Dakota, Wyoming,
Montana, Texas, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
They were always seeking and
only shooting trophy animals that would compete for world records. Walter
Jr. held the world record for his moose for many years. Helen was one of
the early women geographers of America and recorded pioneer mountain sheep
in Alaska. She shot a world record brown bear as well as Dahl and stone
sheep. At 75, she hunted tiger with John David in India and again with him
in Africa at the age of 80. While Helen and Walter Peterson were hunting
in Alaska, the boys lived and attended school in Anchorage and once joined
their parents for a backpack trail hunt for Rocky Mountain sheep.
The Peterson Family collected
a library of rare books on natural history, hunting, fishing and other
sporting subjects. At one time, this included over 7,000 Volumes. They
also purchased many artworks, including the great Philip Goodwin painting
"Unexpected Game. They were life members of The Campfire Club of
America. Many of their hunting trophies were used in the Museum of Natural
History in New York in the North American Hall. This was designed by their
friend, the famous taxidermist and sculptor, James Lippit Clark. Several
of the Peterson’s trophy mounts to be sold in this auction were mounted
by Mr. Clark.
The sale also contains quality sporting objects from
a number of other individuals and estates from New Hampshire and
elsewhere.
Paintings: Philip R. Goodwin – "Unexpected Game", William
J, Schaldach, Frank Vining Smith, 19th Century Oil –
"Speckled Trout", Joseph Knap, 19th Century Oil –
French Partridges, and others.
Drawings, Etchings, Lithographs, Prints: A. Lassell Ripley – Large
signed woodcock etching, Paul Brown (2), Roland Clark (3, including
Derrydale Press Print), A. B. Frost (9 lithographs), Owen Gromme,
Alexander Pope and many others.
Books: Approximately 80 book lots (over 300 books) – hunting,
fishing, exploration, guns, Africana, Canada, the Artic. Many rare, first
editions or signed by author. 9 Derrydales including Barber’s
"Wildfowl Decoys" (deluxe edition, 1 of 55) and Smith’s
"Trout and Angling" (deluxe edition, 1 of 50), "Roughing
It" – Mark Twain, (1st edition), The Wild Sports of
South Africa – Harris, 1839, Livingstone, Stanley, Frank Forester,
Colonel Hawker, rare angling books and many others.
Firearms: W. C. Scott 16 gauge side-by-side shotgun, A. Allen shotgun.
Browning Citori shotgun. Winchester Model 94 rifle. Ruger Mark Two 50th
Anniversary semi-auto pistol and others. Reloading equipment. Clay pigeon
traps.
Old Town: 15’ Trapper canoe, 11’ "50 Pound Model" canoe,
rowboat, early Old Town catalogs, paddles, oars, 1950's Johnson "Sea
Horse" 5.5 H.P. Out board in very good condition, etc.
Fishing: Cane rods – H. L. Leonard,
Heddon, Orvis, L. L. Bean, Forest
of Kelso "greenheart" salmon rod and others. Reels: Hardy,
Julius Vom Hofe, Meisselbach and others. Lures, creels, Orvis minnow trap,
antique tackle box, nets and much more.
In addition: Sculpture. Decoys. Incredible trophy mounts by famous
taxidermist James L. Clark and others. Sporting catalogs. Saddle,
saddlebags, rifle scabbards. Camping equipment.
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