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Click here to subscribeTwo mahogany boxes, one containing a collection of curiosities including Little Toms Hair cut off at Hornsey 15th Sept 1836, early gilt bronze mounts, fragment of mammoths tooth, wood, arrow head, ephemera, 20cm x 34cm x 11.5cm, the other with a collection of minerals, box size 18cm x 30.5cm x 12cm
Ormolu French mantel Clock, Le Roy et Fils, backplate stamped with the serial number 18579, the white enamel dial with Arabic hour numerals, decorative gilded brass pierced and engraved hands and signed Le Roy & Cie, 7 Boulevard de la Madeleine, Paris. The bronze case in the form of a round casing held by an ormolu 'ribbon' above the whole resting on four ram's feet, 7cm dia
A Chinese / Tibetan believed 19th century three headed reversible bronze figure / statue of ' Usnisavijaya ' (Gtsug-tor-rnam-rgyal). This deity with reversible head having eight arms, holding trident, shield and sword with head of Amitabha. Then being entwined with lover to front. Set over a plinth base. Measures 19cms high x 15cms wide
Kings of Bithynia, Ziailas Æ17. Circa 250-230 BC. Diademed head right / BA?I?E?? ZIAH?A, trophy of arms, transverse spear behind. RG 8 = T. Reinach, “Essai sur la numismatique des rois de Bithynie,” RN 1887, pl. V, 4; EHC 416; SNG von Aulock 243; SNG Copenhagen -; BMC -. 5.70g, 17mm, 11h. Near Very Fine, dark green patina. Extremely Rare, the second and best preserved example in CoinArchives after the piece sold in Triton XIV (lot 260), and possibly the fifth known, two of which are in museum collections (Berlin and Vienna). From a private German collection. The third king of Bithynia after Nikomedes I, and only the second to strike coinage, little is known of his reign and those scant details we have are from the very few bronze coins such as the present piece that have been found to date. Unlike his predecessor who is known to have issued coins in both silver and bronze in several denominations, Ziailas appears to have only struck this one denomination of one type.
Municipal coinage of Rome Æ 20 Nummi. Time of Athalaric, AD 526-534. INVICTA ROMA, draped bust of Roma to right, wearing crested helmet, pendant earring and necklace / She-wolf standing to left, head turned back to watch the two infants Romulus and Remus suckling; two stars flanking I above, mark of value XX below. Hahn, MIB 71c (Theoderic); Kraus 29; Metlich 84b; MEC 1, 97-8. 6.96g, 21mm, 1h. Near Very Fine. Rare. From a private European Collection; Ex Dr. Busso Peus Auction 422, 26 April 2018, lot 400. Although the most noticeable of the bronze coins used in Italy under the Ostrogoths are the countermarked asses and other earlier types, in fact these did not make up the bulk of the copper coinage in circulation at that time. Under Odovacar and the Ostrogoths the Roman Senate enjoyed a brief Indian summer of power; amongst its activities was a revival of the ancient Senatorial privilege of minting in bronze which, after a very brief issue in the name of Zeno, then consisted of types purely Roman in character making no reference to either imperial or royal authority. This revived Senatorial coinage features the helmeted bust of Roma along with the ironic obverse inscription INVICTA ROMA, and recalls the ancient silver coins of the Republic. Coming to an end in 535/6, when it was briefly replaced by the portrait coins of Theodahad, after the occupation of Rome by the forces of Belisarius it was in turn replaced by a regular 'Byzantine' imperial coinage in the name of Justinian in 537. When Rome again fell under Ostrogothic control and the mint was reopened in 549, the coinage issued was purely royal and Ostrogothic in character, and so this series may therefore be rightfully described as the final issue of coinage struck by the ancient Romans in their own name.
*An early Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Bronze awarded to Sailmaker James Sweetmore of the Queen Margaret, of London, who went out in the ship’s boat to rescue all nine crew of the Heatherbell, of Shields, who were in ‘imminent peril of their lives’ in high seas off the Cape of Good Hope. Having brought them safely aboard, they were later landed at St. Helena comprising: Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life, V.R., large bronze issue (James Sweetmore. Wreck of the “Heatherbell” 3rd. Janry. 1858); in original, blue velvet-line case of issue, with gilt embossed name to exterior, tiny nicks to rim in places, otherwise good extremely fine. The events of this incident were recorded in detail by the York Herald of Saturday 27 march, 1858, as follows: “LOSS OF A SHIELDS BRIG. The account of the loss of the brig Heather Bell, Captain Appleton, has just been received by her owners. It appears she sailed from Bird Island, one of the Guano Islands, on the south coast of Africa, on the 16th of December last, bound to Liverpool with a cargo of guan. All went well until the 29th, when she experiences some very heavy weather, the sea breaking over her and carrying all of the decks. The pumps were sounded, and it was found she was making nearly two inches of water in the hour, from a leak which was discovered to be in the after part of the vessel. Next day the gale increased, and she shipped a great number of seas, which nearly filled her cabin. This weather continued, and on the 3rd of January it was found the leak had increased, and they commenced to throw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship. The course of the vessel was also changed, the captain wishing to make land. The pumps were tried again, but they were choked, and the crew had to resort to bailing to keep the water down. It was at last found impossible to save the ship, and signals of distress were hoisted. During the day a barque came in sight, and, seeing the signals, immediately hove to and sent her lifeboat to their assistance. The crew left the vessel, and shortly afterwards she disappeared. The barque is the Queen Margaret, of London. Captain Spence, crew, nine in number, were landed at St. Helena on the 21st of January.” The ship’s Mate, James Robb, was awarded a silver Board of Trade Medal, and the 5 other crew of the Queen Margaret were awarded bronze medals, as well as a £2 gratuity.
*Soviet Russia, Paratrooper’s Medal awarded to Anna Ivanova Gudina, in bronze-gilt, reverse with engraved naming and recording the extreme jump height of 9,404 metres (accomplished on 11 September 1957), diameter 29mm, on rectangular screwback suspension, with test scratches and file-mark, otherwise extremely fine; together with the recipient’s Master Sports screwback lapel badge, no. 23747, in silvered bronze and red enamel, 20mm, extremely fine; with three associated documents (see note below) (lot) Included in the lot are two Paratrooper’s Logbooks, dated 1953 and later, each with photograph of the recipient and recording parachute jumps made between August 1943 and July 1961, with notes, and also Anna Gudina’s Master Sports Award Book, dated 28 November 1961, with photograph and serial no. 23747 matching the lapel badge.
A Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry In Bronze awarded to First Officer Thomas William Rank, of the S.S. Triton, of Hartlepool, for handling the ship’s boat during the rescue of the shipwrecked crew of the S.S Cicero, also of Hartlepool on 9 March 1886, comprising: Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large bronze issue (Mr. T. W. Rank Wreck Of The “Cicero” Of Hartlepool On The 10th March 1886.); in original, blue velvet-line case of issue, with gilt embossed name to exterior, also offered with small newspaper cutting, and an original vellum warrant from the Guild of Trinity House, Hull, confirming the recipient as Master Mariner, in December 1901, with wax seal and decorative brass outer case, about extremely fine (3). A small section of newspaper, offered with this lot, confirms the above details as follows: “PRESENTATION FOR GALLANTRY AT SEA – At the Town Hall, on Monday, a bronze medal was presented to Thomas William Rank, first officer on board the S.S. Triton of Hartlepool, for gallantry at sea under the following circumstances. On the 9th March last the Triton was in mid-channel, about 16 miles west of Portland, when signals of distress were observed flying from the S.S. Cicero, also of Hartlepool. Mr Rank, together with four of the crew, manned the lifeboat, and although a heavy sea was running they succeeded in taking the crew off the Cicero which was then in a sinking condition. Mr Joseph Atkinson asked the Mayor to take the chain, and in doing so recapitulated the circumstances of the rescue. The Mayor said he had the pleasure of acceding to Mr Atkinson’s request, and in making the presentation remarked that cases of gallantry at sea ought not to go unrecognised, because to some extent it was an inducement to others. Mr Rank, in a few well-chosen words, acknowledged the presentation.” A medal in bronze, for Humanity, was also awarded to the Cicero’s Master, Richard Care.
A Rare Royal North Gloucester Militia Officer’s Shoulder-belt plate, c. 1840-1881, in bronze with dark metal finish, overlaid with a silvered star and gilt regimental insignia, with a silver and red enamel centre, 76mm width x 94.5mm height, remnants of gilding to reverse with two upper hooks and studs below for wear, very light wear in places, good very fine, and rare. Originally formed in 1761, the Royal North Gloucester Militia were re-designated as the 4th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment during the Childers reforms of 1881.
The Impressive Great War and Second World War Orders, Decorations and Medals awarded to Admiral Sir Cecil Harcourt, R.N., who famously received and signed the formal surrender of Hong Kong from the Japanese forces under Major-General Okada and Vice-Admiral Fujita at Government House on 16 September 1945, each handing over their traditional family katana to Harcourt in turn. Harcourt was knighted soon after, and continued as Commander-in Chief and de facto Governor of Hong Kong and Head of the Military Administration until the re-instatement of Governor Sir Mark Young, who had been taken in captivity as a prisoner of war. Earlier in WW2 Harcourt had commanded the 10th and 12th Cruiser Squadrons during the landings at North Africa and the capture of Tunisia, for which he was awarded the U.S. Legion of Merit, as well as the bombardment and capture of Pantellaria and Lampedusa, and at the Salerno landings, for which he received a mention in despatches, comprising: Orders and Decorations: The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Knight Commander’s (K.C.B.) set of insignia by Garrard & Co., comprising neck badge, in silver-gilt and enamels with gold centre, and breast star, in silver and enamels with gold centre, in original fitted case of issue; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Military Division, Grand Cross (G.B.E.) set of insignia, second type, by Garrard & Co., comprising: sash badge in silver-gilt and enamels, and breast star in silver-gilt and enamels, with two original sashes, in original case of issue; China, The Order of the Cloud and Banner, Second Class (gazetted as ‘Special Grand Cordon’ ) set of insignia, comprising sash badge in silver and enamels, and breast star in silver and enamels, in original silk-lined lacquered case of issue, somewhat damaged, with original sash and riband bar; Court-Mounted Medal Group: British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. C. H. J. Harcourt-Morris. R.N.); 1939-1945 Star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star, with clasp ‘North Africa 1942-43’ upon ribbon, Pacific Star, Italy Star; War Medal, 1939-1945, with bronze ‘M.i.D.’ oak leaf upon ribbon; Jubilee 1935, Coronation 1937; U.S.A., Legion of Merit, Officer’s breast badge in gilt and enamels, with gilt emblem upon ribbon, and original black case of issue; Group court-mounted upon bar, in original blue ‘Gieves Ltd’ fitted case, monogrammed ‘C.H.’, with a matching set of 13 miniatures, including two additional orders, in compartment below, and original riband bar group; Also offered with: a contemporary and possibly original canister of film footage taken of the surrender of Hong Kong; two private albums of press cuttings kept by the recipient & his family detailing the events of his career (both slightly water damaged); two finely produced Visitors Books signed by naval and military officers, civilians and dignitaries, the first dated between January 1947 to November 1952 (including signatures of the Greek Royal family dated 1947, and a signature by Prince Philip, dated 15th October 1952), and the second dated November 1950 to November 1952; a signed and framed portrait photograph dated 1949; photographs of Harcourt with Sir Winston Churchill and Princess Margaret; a folder of formal photos of the recipient taken throughout his career; a copy of the article ‘The Military Administration of Hong Kong’ by the recipient; a small photograph album containing images of Harcourt with various VIPs in Canton and Hong Kong dated December 1945-April 1946; an inscribed copy of ‘China Through Catholic Eyes’ dated 1941; and related family documents to Gerard Francis Gould. Medals and awards generally extremely fine (lot). C.B.E.: London Gazette: 7 November 1940 – ‘in recognition of distinguished services during the War’. U.S.A.: Legion of Merit: London Gazette: 7 September 1943 - ‘for services in the North African Campaign’. The original American recommendation reads as follows: ‘For exceptionally meritorious conduct of a high degree in the performance of outstanding services. Admiral Harcourt commanded the British cruiser squadron which provided close support for the landings in North Africa. His unfaltering support in the face of heavy odds did much to make the success of that operation possible.’ C.B.: London Gazette: 10 September 1943 – ‘for gallant and distinguished service in the operations leading to the clearance of the Enemy from North Africa’. M.i.D.: London Gazette: 19 May, 1944 - (general citation for Operation Avalanche) ‘for outstanding courage, resolution, leadership, skill or devotion to duty…in operations which led to the successful landings on the Italian mainland at Salerno’. K.C.B.: London Gazette: 14 December, 1945 – ‘for distinguished service throughout the War in Europe’. G.B.E.: London Gazette: 1 January 1953 (New Year Honours). China: Order of the Cloud and Banner: Special Grand Cordon, a formal letter from the British Embassy in Chungking dated 21 March 1946 confirms this award from the National Government of China, ‘in recognition of… assistance to China’s war effort’. The official London Gazette citation, 2 November 1948, reads – ‘for services on the Staff of the South East Asia Command during the War in the Far East’.
The Important Second World War Orders, Decorations and Medals awarded to Major-General Sir Kenneth William Dobson Strong, Royal Scots Fusiliers, who started his army intelligence career shortly after the Great War during ‘The Troubles’ in Ireland. He served as Military Attaché to Berlin in the years before the outbreak of WW2 during which time he came to meet many of the senior figures and leaders of Nazi Germany and understood ‘the German military mind’. Consequently, Strong found himself at the very centre of strategic military intelligence throughout the war as Eisenhower’s Head of Intelligence at Supreme Allied Force Headquarters (S.H.A.E.F.) and as his trusted friend and advisor. A trained interpreter, a shrewd judge of character and a very capable leader of men, he played a major part in negotiating the armistice and surrender of Italian Forces on 3 September 1943, during the negotiations for the surrender of German forces occupying the Netherlands on 4-5 May 1945, and then during the final, unconditional German surrender on 7 May in Berlin, where he was immediately at hand to negotiate terms and to translate. After the war he rose to become Director-General of Intelligence at the Ministry of Defence, capping off an almost unparalleled intelligence career, comprising: Orders and Decorations: The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Companion’s (C.B.) neck badge, in silver gilt and enamels; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Civilian Division, Knight Commander’s (K.B.E.) set of insignia by Garrard & Co., comprising neck badge and breast star, in gilt, silver-gilt and enamels, in original case of issue; Medal Group (as worn): The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Military Division, Second Type, Officer’s (O.B.E.) breast badge, in silver-gilt; 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, 1939-1945; U.S.A., Distinguished Service Medal, in gilt and enamels, edge impressed ‘11176’ and engraved to reverse ‘K. W. D. Strong’; France, Légion d’Honneur, officer’s breast badge in silver-gilt and enamels; France, Croix de Guerre, 1939-1945, with bronze palm upon ribbon; Russia, U.S.S.R., The Order of the Red Banner, breast badge, in silver, silver-gilt and enamels, reverse engraved ‘224122’ U.S.A., Legion of Merit, Officer’s breast badge in gilt and enamels, with gilt emblem upon ribbon; 1953 Coronation, this issued later and still loose, with pin for wear; Group swing-mounted upon bar, with a matching set of 15 miniatures; some minor enamel damage to Croix de Guerre, medals generally extremely fine; Also offered with: riband bars, two ‘proof’ editions of his books ‘Intelligence at the Top’ and ‘Men of Intelligence’; two further copies of the aforementioned books as published, with another two in Italian, and another in German; a rare, framed and glazed hand-signed portrait of General Dwight Eisenhower, 27.5cm x 35cm, inscribed to the recipient (‘For General K. W. D. Strong – to whose skill and devotion I and the Allied cause owe much in World War II. From his lasting friend, Dwight Eisenhower’), minor damp mark to mount, but not to portrait; an extremely rare framed and glazed certificate, 39.5cm x 46cm, officially named to the recipient from the Director General of Intelligence, Defence Intelligence Agency (or D.I.A), United States of America, ‘in recognition of his warm friendship and outstanding support’ (circa 1961); a painted portrait of the recipient, oil on canvas board, 33cm x 24cm, signed to reverse, signature unclear, dated March 1978); a typed and signed letter sent to the recipient from Gerhard Graf von Schwerin, ‘General Der Panzertruppe’, dated 29 December, 1978; and a black and white reproduction portrait of the recipient’s father.(lot) O.B.E. (Military Division): London Gazette: 1 January 1942; U.S.A.: Legion of Merit: London Gazette: 10 March 1944 (for his work at Allied Force Headquarters); M.i.D.: London Gazette: 19 April 1945 – ‘in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Europe’; C.B.E. London Gazette: 2 August 1945 ; U.S.S.R.: The Order of the Red Banner – reportedly awarded 21 June 1945; C.B. (Military Division): London Gazette: 2 August 1945; France: Legion d’Honneur and Croix de Guerre – (c.1945-6); U.S.A.: Distinguished Service Medal: London Gazette: 16 January 1948 – ‘in recognition of distinguished services in the cause of the Allies’; K.B.E. (Civil Division): London Gazette: 11 June 1966 – ‘Director-General of Intelligence, Ministry of Defence’.
*An Interesting Great War M.M. and Croix de Guerre Group of 5 awarded to Battery Sergeant-Major William John Huttlestone, “A” Battery, 82nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, received gunshot wounds to the abdomen and legs in 1916 and subsequently was diagnosed with shell-shock and sent home to recover. He returned to service on the Western Front once again, later being awarded the Military Medal and Croix de Guerre, comprising: Military Medal, G.V.R. (2392 Sjt W. J. Huttlestone. R.F.A.); 1914-15 Star (2392 Gnr: W. Huttlestone. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (2392 Sjt. W. Huttlestone. R.A.); France, Croix de Guerre, with bronze star upon ribbon (5). M.M.: London Gazette: 20 August 1919 – ‘for bravery in the field’; France, Croix de Guerre: London Gazette: 17 March, 1920 - ‘for distinguished services rendered’. Sergeant William John Huttlestone was born c.1891, and lived in Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire. Having previously worked as a Motor Driver, he enlisted for service in the Great War at London on 2 September 1914, joining the Royal Artillery. He was promoted to Battery Sergeant Major in 1920, after which he appears to have retired from further service.
An Impressive Royal Humane Society Medal in bronze awarded to William Thomas Gibbes, a young boy of just 14 years of age, who saved the life of his youngest brother while on holiday at Sandown on the Isle of Wight. The brothers had become surrounded by a strong incoming tide while bathing when Reginald Gibbes, the youngest, waded into a ‘drain or gully several feet deep’ and not being able to swim, went under the water about 30 yards to sea. William Thomas Gibbes immediately swam over to rescue his brother, searched underwater and, after several attempts found him and returned him to shore, whereupon both fell down exhausted, comprising: Royal Humane Society Medal, bronze, small medal, type 1, for a successful rescue (Wyndham Gibbes. (Aged 14) 30th August. 1877.); light coating of lacquer and the occasional mark, otherwise extremely fine or better. William Thomas Gibbes, a Pupil of St. Edwards School, Oxford, and resident of 36 Brunswick Gardens, Kensington, was awarded the Royal Humane Society in bronze for saving the life of his youngest brother while on holiday at Sandown on the Isle of Wight. The Bury Free Press recorded the events as follows: “YOUTHFUL GALLANTRY – While bathing in August last at Sandown, Isle of Wight, from the sands, a third of a mile beyond the houses and under the cliffs on the Shankill side, he and his brothers were overtaken and surrounded by the tide, which came in very rapidly, and the youngest boy, Reginald Gibbes, who could not swim, suddenly waded into a drain or gully several feet deep, and went under about thirty yards from the shore. Wyndham Gibbes immediately swam to him and caught hold of him, when the downing boy in his fright clutched the arms and legs round him and rendered him perfectly helpless, and they were both dragged down. The elder brother, however, succeeded in tearing himself from the younger’s grasp, when the latter sank again, but was again seized by the elder brother by the left arm, when he again clutched him just round the neck and they both again when down. By this time the would-be rescuer was much exhausted and cried out for help, but without success. Seeing, however, that his brother would inevitably be drowned if he did not make a final attempt to save him, he, by desperate exertions, with the little remaining strength he had, just succeeded in struggling with him till their feet touched the ground, and they somehow managed to get out of the water, when the noble boy fell down insensible from the excitement and exertions.”
Fine quality Japanese bronze figural inkwell by Miyao Eisuke, modelled as Hotei reclining against a Bag of Fortune decorated with precious symbols, the hinged lid bearing the maker's seal, the hardwood base of rectangular outline with swept feet detailed in scrolling gilt, Meiji period, 4.5" high, 5" wide
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