^Lot 2165 INCREDIBLE HAND PAINTED WOOD WESTLEY RICHARDS

ADVERTISING SIGN. Reads "EST.d 1812" "WESTLEY RICHARDS" "178, NEW BOND ST. LONDON" "GUN & RIFLE MAKERS" "By Appt to" "H.R.H. the Prince of Wales" "BESPOKE" "DROPLOCK DOUBLE RIFLES" "As good a Gun as can be made" "FOR THE PURSUIT OF LARGE AFRICAN GAME" "North American Agents: ABERCROMBIE & FITCH, Fifth Avenue, N.Y.C.". The bold central figure is a wonderful representation of a Westley Richard double rifle. Sign is painted on old wood and is housed in large wooden frame on shelf with moulded edges having carved scrolls at base and along top. The octogenarian consignor of this lot was involved in African safaris from the middle part of the 20th century. Starting in Beina, Mozambique later Botswana. He was involved with Vira Safaris later lived in Zimbabwe and finally President of United African Safaris in U.A.S. Guine-Bissau and U.A.S. Mozambique. His ancestors came from South Coastal England and Ireland and were successful sing, truck and railway artist. This type of artist produced quality billboard signage from the 1870's to 1945. These large artistic billboard signs were painted of course only during the 6 fair weather months. The remaining months were spent painting decorative and commercial signage such as this example. While he was involved in the safari business, he acquired signs such as this one as a decoration for various African lodges. MEASUREMENTS: Sight size 41-1/2" x 43"/ 56" wide 53" high including frame. CONDITION: very fine and has a spectacular presence. (02-25764/JDJ). $2,000-4,000.