A collection of more than 900 hunt buttons- a badge of honour awarded by masters of hounds to esteemed followers-will go up for auction at Bonhams’ Sporting Sale in Edinburgh on October 30 (www.bonhams.com).
The collection, probably the world’s largest, was amassed by the late Neil McShane, an avid hunting man and amateur jockey, and covers most packs in the UK and Ireland.
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The buttons, many of which are 19th-century livery buttons from the great estates, are being sold in five lots with a combined estimate of £3,400-£4,800. The sale includes numerous sporting prints plus a 26ft 6in nine-piece fishing rod owned by the 4th Earl Spencer (£3,000-£4,000).
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