The dispersal of just over 550 lots featured books, manuscripts and handwritten hunting records, plus collections of postcards and photographs.
A highlight was La Chasse du Loup, an 1861 book by Emmanuel Le Couteulx de Canteleu on wolf hunting published by Bouchard-Huzard. This rare first edition was limited to 150 copies and, with its photographic plates from nature by Cremière, Hanfstaengl and Platel, was the first book on hunting to be illustrated with photographs.
Léon Cremière was one of the pioneers of animal photography and went on to become photographer to Emperor Napoleon III in 1866.
The Angers auction example, which was the publisher Louis Bouchard-Huzard’s copy, was signed by the author and came with the bonus of two letters signed by the author, and 16 extra photographs by Cremière including a self-portrait.
It sold for €17,000 (£15,045), three times the €5000-6000 estimate.
