A pair of vintage comic hunting watercolours signed by the renowned sporting artist George Finch Mason (1850 – 1915) look set to catch the eye of collectors and country sports fans when they come under the hammer in Staffordshire next week.

Part of a strong pictures section in Cuttlestones’ Friday 9th September Fine Art Sale, the paintings feature Finch’s popular caricatures of hunting stereotypes from the turn of the twentieth century. A full-figured lady riding side-saddle amid a field of gentleman riders steals the show in “What Ho! She Bumps!” whilst, in the case of “Hunting Adventures”, the somewhat misguided Twaddle shares his advice on getting to know one’s mount before taking a tumble.

The watercolours are expected to cause quite a stir both with online bidders and those in the room as MD and Head Auctioneer, Ben Gamble, explains: “Finch Mason is a hugely popular sporting artist – his satirical paintings are just as popular as his serious works and these two are particularly charming examples that really capture the ‘Tally Ho!’ spirit of the era. Prints generally perform well, so we’re expecting these original watercolours to really catch the eye of collectors – they’d make a fine addition to any hunting enthusiast’s home.”

The pictures will sell at Cuttlestone’s Penkridge, Staffs auction room on Friday 9th September. Viewing is the morning of the sale and the day prior between 10am and 7pm, and the full catalogue will be published online at www.cuttlestones.co.uk from Friday 2nd September. For those unable to attend on the day, telephone, commission and live online bidding options are available.