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Click here to subscribeAN INDIAN BRONZE FIGURE OF VISHNU AND A STELE15TH/16TH CENTURY OR EARLIERThe four-armed deity standing on a rectangular plinth, with his right hand resting on a mace, together with a stele of a seated bodhisattva, 369g and 267g, 13.7cm and 8cm. (2)Provenance: from a private collection, London.
A TIBETAN IRON PHURBU AND A THAI BRONZE FIGURE OF A BUDDHA19TH/20TH CENTURYThe tripartite blade issuing from the mouth of a makara, surmounted by the head of Hayagriva, the Buddha seated on a double lotus throne, with his hands in bhumisparsa mudra, 1.9kg and 2.2kg, 25.5cm and 37cm. (2) Provenance: a private London collection, acquired prior to 2000.PLEASE NOTE THIS LOT IS TO BE OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE.
A CHINESE BRONZE FIGURE OF A SEATED BODHISATTVAMING DYNASTYSeated in dhyanasana on a double lotus base, the left hand in dhyana mudra and the raised right hand in shuni mudra, dressed in a loose dhoti, and wearing a multi-strand necklace and a headdress, 910g, 17cm. Provenance: a private London collection, acquired prior to 2000.
A CHINESE PARCEL GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF BODHISATTVAQING DYNASTYSeated in dhyanasana upon a lotus throne with one hand held in dhyana murda and the other touching the ground in bhumisparsha mudra, depicted wearing a monk's robe bordered by scrolling floral motifs, his crown and necklace inset with turquoise beads, the base plate with a double vajra, 1kg, 17cm. Provenance: from an English private collection, West Yorkshire, formed in the 1970s and 1980s.
A SMALL TIBETAN GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF A SEATED BODHISATTVA17TH CENTURYSeated in virasana on a lotus base, his raised left hand in vitarka mudra and his right hand holding a kapala, a jewelled necklace hangs from his shoulders, his hair arranged in a high chignon, with Tibetan inscriptions to the back of the base, 207g, 9cm. Provenance: a private London collection, acquired prior to 2000.
A CHINESE PARCEL-GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF WENCHANGLATE MING DYNASTYHe sits wearing an elaborate robe and headdress, holding a hu tablet before his chest, his face gilded, the surface with traces of lacquer and gold, together with a modern stand, 1.6kg, 25cm. (2) Provenance: a private London collection, acquired prior to 2000.
A CHINESE BRONZE FIGURE OF AVALOKITESVARA SADAKSRI19TH CENTURY OR EARLIERThe four-armed bodhisattva seated in dhyanasana on a double lotus plinth, her principal hands in anjali mudra, with the two other hands raised and holding attributes, adorned with jewellery and crown, 505g, 14cm. Provenance: a private London collection, acquired prior to 2000.
A CHINESE PARCEL-GILT BRONZE FIGURE OF GUANYIN17TH CENTURYThe bodhisattva seated in dhyanasana with the left hand supporting a vessel, her right hand held in shuni mudra, dressed in long flowing robes, with a multi-stand necklace and an elaborate headdress, the face with a serene expression and downcast eyes, 1.6kg, 21.5cm.
TWO CHINESE VASES AND AN INCENSE BURNER20TH CENTURYOne with a green glaze, another after a bronze shape with a lavender glaze, the incense burner with a ge-type glaze, 35.5cm max. (3)Provenance: from the collection of David Stopher, Kent. PLEASE NOTE THIS LOT IS TO BE OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE.
Jeff Beck: A 36th Annual Grammy Award Nominee Medal Presented To Jeff Beck, 1993, the bronze medal issued by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, embossed 'GRAMMY NOMINEE 1993', as presented to Jeff Beck for 'BEST ROCK INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE' with his track 'Hi-Heel Sneakers', complete with red ribbon, accompanied by a letter of provenance, approx 2in (5cm) diameter Footnotes: Provenance: Offered by Suzy O'Hara who was in a relationship with Jeff Beck from 1994-1996. According to the information provided by the vendor, this medal was gifted to her by Jeff to accompany her on her pilot exams as a 'lucky omen'. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
A Japanese bronze jardiniere and stand, of rounded rectangular form with twin handles and cast decoration, six character mark to the base, 35cm wide CONDITION REPORT: Overall weight of base and jardiniere approximately 6310 grams, surface scratches throughout, over polished, minor dents to the body in used condition
TWO SILHOUETTES OF YOUNG LADIES, CIRCA 1800 AND CIRCA 1830 both with milled gilt-metal mounts and black frames, one to sinister with bronzed highlights, on plaster, by John Field (1772-1848) for the John Miers Studio, Miers trade label to reverse, the other to dexter, bronze highlighted, on card, signed 'Field 11 Strand', by John Field and/or his son Henry William Field (1810-1882), later label to reverse reading The Late Duchess of Northumberland, 8 and 7cm oval (2)
A PAIR OF ORMOLU-MOUNTED 'SEVRES' STYLE LARGE VASES AND COVERS, LATE 19TH CENTURY pedestal urn shaped, the cobalt blue ground reserving ovals painted with portrait busts of Louis XVI or Marie Antoinette above elongated oval reserves of couples courting beside lakes, painted to the reverse with fruits and flowers, all within 'jewelled' gilt borders surrounded by further burnished gilt details, the gilt-bronze angular handles suspending husk swags and ending in Bacchic masks, the in-curved square bases on bracket feet, domed covers lacking finials, interiors with gilt-metal linings and covers, painted pseudo Sevres marks, 60.5cm high
A PAIR OF FRENCH PARCEL-GILT BRONZE TAZZE ON MARBLE PEDESTALS, PROBABLY PARIS, 19TH CENTURY brown patinated shallow urns with lobes above leafy pedestals and gilt-bronze square bases, applied with leafy ormolu handles, each giallo antico marble pedestal with a formal leaf border above the square base, 24cm high
PAIR OF FRENCH BRONZE TAZZE AND COVERS, PROBABLY PARIS, LATE 19TH CENTURY the brown patinated pedestal urns applied with fox heads and strapwork handles headed by grotesque masks, the covers with finials cast as a seated classical female figure in thought whilst holding one knee, each set on a Belgian black marble fluted socle with octagonal base, 33cm high
A PAIR OF GILT-BRONZE CANDLESTICKS, PROBABLY FRENCH SECOND QUARTER 19TH CENTURY the stepped circular bases with formal leaf borders, foliate and lappet tapering stems and vase-shaped sconces with detachable nozzles, later drilled, wood set bases, 24cm highProvenance: Property of a European Collector (see lot 4 for further details)
A PAIR OF FRENCH ORMOLU AND PATINATED BRONZE CANDELABRA, PARIS, EARLY 19TH CENTURY after a design by Percier and Fontaine, each with winged Victory holding up a vase supporting five lights composed of four branches and central stem ending in detachable nozzles, the patinated figures with gilt girdles and raised wings, each with an opposing raised foot, the other foot balancing on a sphere set on a milled column and stepped square base, 81.5cm highFor a sketch of about 1805, from the workshop of Percier and Fontaine of furniture and furnishings for the Empress Josephine's boudoir at St. Cloud, see the Metropolitan Museum, New York, No.63.535.1-.128 (P.19), which shows this model of Victory (or Nike) with wings and foot raised, holding aloft the candle lights. The highly popular 'Victory' candelabrum model, which appears with a number of slight variations, is most closely associated with the work of Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843).
AFTER JEAN-CLAUDE ROSSET (1706-1786): VOLTAIRE AND ROUSSEAU a pair of French bronze figures, probably Paris, late 19th century, each philosopher modelled clutching an opposing cane and standing on a Siena marble square plinth set into a palmette bordered bronze base, 43 and 44.5cm highProvenance: the Estate of Louisa Service OBE (1931-2021), sold by order of the executors.
AFTER ANTONIN MERCIE (1845-1916): DAVID a French bronze figure, Bardedienne Foundry, Paris, late 19th century, posed sheathing his sword, one foot resting on the head of Goliath, inscribed 'A. MERCIE', the circular base with strapwork border centred by a roundel titled 'דוד' for David in Hebrew, inscribed to rear 'F. BARBEDIENNE, Foundeur' and 'RÉDUCTION MECANIQUE A. COLLAS BREVETÉ' circular stamp, 61cm highModelled in Rome in 1869, Mercié presented the life-size figure at the Paris Salon of 1872, the first Salon held since the tumult of the Paris Commune and the preceding disaster of the Franco-Prussian war. Widely admired for its elegance, the figure was also seen as a symbol of France’s hopes for vengeance on the Prussians. The bronze cast by Thiébaut Frères was acquired by the state, exhibited primarily at the Luxembourg Palace and now at the Musée d’Orsay (RF.186). The Barbedienne foundry produced a number of variously sized reductions, adding a loincloth not found on the original.
A Rare Turkish 25 PDR. Bronze Mortar Reign Of Sultan Abdulaziz (1861-76), Dated 1289 A.H. Corresponding To 1872 A.D. Cast in one piece and with raised muzzle-ring, the medial reinforce incised with the Sultan's tughra, touch-hole with flash-shield also forming the back-sight, rounded base, plain trunnions incised respectively with the date and 'Diameter 9, No. 2' in Turkish, and with light green patination 42 cm., 15 cm. bore Footnotes: An almost identical example is in the Askeri Museum, Istanbul. See O. Sermed Moukhtar, Musée Militaire Ottoman..., 1921, pl. 25, no.3 For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
A Rare German 50 PDR. Bronze Mortar Stamped Gef. V.I.G. Grosse In Dresden, 19th Century Cast in two stages with turned medial band and muzzle-ring, set at an angle against an integral wedge, the latter stamped with maker's details in capitals, plain vent, and made in one with a stepped base pierced at each corner with an anchoring hole, and with old green patination 38 cm. high, 18.5 cm. bore Footnotes: Possibly intended for testing gunpowder Johan Gotthelf Grosse (1808-1869) was master founder at the Royal Saxon foundry and master of the foundry guild, Dresden. An almost identical example is in the Askeri Museum, Istanbul. See O. Sermed Moukhtar, Musée Militaire Ottoman..., 1921, pl. 25, no. 2 For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
A 1751 Pattern Brass-Hilted Hanger Of The Middlesex Militia, And An Infantry Officer's SwordBoth Late 18th CenturyThe first with slightly curved blade (lightly pitted) fullered along the back and stamped with the running fox mark of Samuel Harvey of Birmingham on each side, hilt comprising heart-shaped guard engraved 'II' and 'MIDDX MSB', lobed rear quillon, knuckle-guard hooked into the globular pommel with prominent button, and grip bound with twisted copper wire; the second with slightly curved blade fullered along the back on each side, bronze stirrup hilt with lobed rear quillon, tapering knuckle-guard hooked into the pommel-cap with button, and reeded wooden grip with later carving, in its leather scabbard (some scruffs and surface losses) with steel locket and chape (some pitting), the former with frog-hook (2)70.2 cm. blades For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
The Incorporated Law Society Boer War Tribute Medal 1899-1902, 51mm, bronze, the obverse featuring the society’s coat-of-arms, ‘The Incorporated Law Society of the United Kingdom 1902’ around, the reverse inscribed ‘Presented by the President of the Society Sir Albert Kaye Rollit, LLD, DCL, MP, and the Vice President, John Edward Gray Hill, Esq., to Solicitors & Articled Clerks who served in the South African Campaign 1899-1902 and who were entertained by the Society at a Banquet in its Hall on December 18th 1902’, unnamed, edge bruise on reverse, some verdigris, very fine £70-£90
Three: Sergeant G. F. Morton, Royal Berkshire Regiment Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (6879 Pte. G. F. Morton, 2nd Rl. Berks; Regt); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, E.VII.R. (394 Sgt. G. F. Morton 4/R. Berks: Regt); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (George F. Morton.) edge bruise to QSA, contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £200-£240 --- George Frederick Morton, a Plumber from Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, was born around 1876. He attested for the Royal Berkshire Regiment at Reading, Berkshire, on 1 February 1900 and served during the Second Boer War in South Africa from 16 March 1900 to 4 November 1900, before his discharge at his own request on 19 January 1901. He subsequently attested for the 4th Volunteer Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, and in later life served as a Special Constable. Sold together with a quantity of Regimental and local shooting medallions and fobs, some named to the recipient, in silver and bronze, and copy service papers for his service in South Africa.
The Incorporated Law Society Boer War Tribute Medal 1899-1902, 51mm, bronze, the obverse featuring the society’s coat-of-arms, ‘The Incorporated Law Society of the United Kingdom 1902’ around, the reverse inscribed ‘Presented by the President of the Society Sir Albert Kaye Rollit, LLD, DCL, MP, and the Vice President, John Edward Gray Hill, Esq., to Solicitors & Articled Clerks who served in the South African Campaign 1899-1902 and who were entertained by the Society at a Banquet in its Hall on December 18th 1902’, unnamed, some verdigris, very fine £70-£90
Belgium, Kingdom, Croix de Guerre, A.I.R., bronze, with bronze palm emblem on riband, traces of verdigris, nearly very fine France, Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze (3), reverse dated 1914-1918, with bronze star emblem on riband; reverse dated 1939-1945, with bronze palm emblem on riband; Theatres d’Operations Exterieurs; Croix de la Valeur Militaire, bronze, with bronze palm emblem on riband, generally very fine United States of America, Air Medal, with two bronze oak leaf clusters on riband; Purple Heart, with one bronze oak leaf cluster on riband, with riband bar, in case of issue; Army Commendation Medal; Vietnam Service Medal, with riband bar, in card box of issue, all unnamed as issued, good very fine (9) £80-£100
Sinking of the SS Lusitania, 1915 (4), cast English copies of the medal by K. Goetz, 55mm, one with original box and leaflet, another with leaflet; Medal commemorating the Battle of the First of June 1794, bronze, silver gilded, the obverse with a bust of Admiral Howe in uniform, ‘Earl Howe Adml Of The White K: G:’, the reverse depicting Neptune armed with his trident standing in his car urging on his two sea horses, ‘French Fleet Defeated Off Ushant’, Exergue: ‘VII Sail Of The Line Captured 1 June MDCCXCIV’, polished, some gilding remains, this last fair (5) £70-£90
Ephemera Relating to the Duke of Wellington. Comprising a fine commemorative wall plaque c.1900, carved crystal bust contained on a black velvet ground, contained in a period circular frame; a selection of commemorative wall plaques including gilt and bronze examples; a pair of Masonic Jewels to the Duke of Wellington’s Lodge, including a gold (9ct) example, all 3 parts stamped ‘Spencer of London’; together with another silver-gilt example, both engraved ‘W. Bro. Harry Goodier 1953-54’, generally good condition (lot) £200-£240
An unusual life-saving group awarded to Captain J. J. Shaw, Master of the Steamship Dalton of Newcastle, for rescuing the shipwrecked crew and passengers of the Steamship Tidal of Cardiff, off the Corton Lightship, near Lowestoft, on 12 January 1922 Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Royal Benevolent Society Silver Medal, sometime gilded (Captain J. J. Shaw, S.S. “Dalton” January 12. 1922) with claw but lacking usual suspension; Shipping Federation Silver Medal for Meritorious Service (J. J. Shaw, 12th January 1922) fitted with gold chain mount and ring for suspension; Board of Trade Presentation Salver, 320mm diameter, silver (1,100g), hallmarks for London 1896, with with ball and claw feet, the centre inscribed ‘Presented by the Board of Trade to James Joseph Shaw, Master of the Steamship “Dalton” of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in acknowledgement of his humanity and kindness to the shipwrecked crew and passengers of the steamship “Tidal” of Cardiff, whom he rescued off the Corton Lightship, near Lowestoft, on the 12th January 1922’, contained in its wooden presentation box, generally very fine (3) £800-£1,000 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, April 2001. ‘On the 12th January 1922, the S.S. Tidal of Cardiff, laden with coal, was in distress about 8 miles off the Corton Lightship, near Lowestoft, the vessel having shipped tremendous seas, which caused her to take a heavy and increasing list. In response to signals of distress the S.S. Dalton of Newcastle-upon-Tyne came to her assistance, and although the weather conditions were very bad the master of the Dalton decided to try to launch a boat. Volunteers were called for, and after the Dalton had been manoeuvred about 50 yards to the windward of the Tidal a life-boat, in charge of Mr Robert Spencer and manned by the seamen mentioned, was launched and succeeded in rescuing the crew and passengers consisting of ten men, two women, and three children, and safely transferred them to the Dalton. The rescuing boat had only gone some 30 yards on the return journey when the Tidal foundered.’ (Gallantry, by Sir Arnold Wilson and Captain J. McEwen refers) A piece of Plate (Salver) value £15 was awarded by the Board of Trade to James J. Shaw, Master of the Dalton, and a pair of Binoculars value £8.2.6 to Robert Spencer, Second Officer. In addition, Spencer and the four crewmen of the life-boat (Boatswain Martin Wennerburg; Able Seamen Arthur Hellman and Arthur Edward Clerk; and Donkeyman Henry Fudge) were awarded the Board of Trade Bronze Sea Gallantry Medal. Henry Fudge was subsequently selected for the ‘Emile Robin’ award for 1922. James Joseph Shaw received his silver salver at a Presentation by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle on 6 July 1922. Sold with a contemporary press photograph of Captain Shaw with the Mayor of Newcastle and other civil dignitaries; and copied research.
Berkshire Education Committee Medals. A miscellaneous selection of Berkshire School attendance medals, 3 silver and 32 bronze, some with extra date bars and ribbons, and assorted Berkshire Education Committee ‘Never Absent, Never Late’, attendance medals, generally good condition (lot) £40-£50
Indian Recruiting Badge, G.VI.R., silver and bronze, reverse officially numbered ‘6128’; Edward Prince of Wales Visit to Bombay 1921, oval bronze medal, the obverse with bust of Edward Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII), surmounted by Prince of Wales’ feathers, the reverse inscribed ‘Visit of His Royal Highness, Bombay, November 1921’, with small ring for suspension, the first with some scratches to reverse, centre polished, otherwise nearly very fine, the second, small edge dig, otherwise very fine (2) £60-£80
A fine Southern Cross Medal group of fourteen awarded to Colonel F. A. Swemmer, South African Air Force, who flew Spitfires with 3 Squadron, S.A.A.F. over Italy during the Second War, and Mustangs as a flight commander of 2 Squadron ‘Flying Cheetahs’, in the Korean War South Africa, Southern Cross Medal, 1st type (495), minor blue enamel damage; South Africa, Korea 1950-53 (Lt. F. A. Swemmer) officially impressed naming; Permanent Force Good Service Medal, 30 Years (438); Permanent Force Good Service Medal, 20 Years (264); Permanent Force Good Service Medal, 18 Years (1313); Chief of Defence Force Commendation Medal (182); Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, all officially impressed ‘P6771 F. A. Swemmer’; United States of America, Air Medal, bronze, with 2 oak leaf clusters, unnamed; U.N. Korea (Lt. F. A. Swemmer.) officially impressed naming; South Korea, Korea Medal, mounted as originally worn, generally very fine unless otherwise already stated (14) £1,600-£2,000 --- Southern Cross Medal. The original recommendation dated, 13 March 1967, states: ‘This officer has, over the years, rendered invaluable service to the SA Air Force and, as his record has shown, has always placed the interests of the Air Force far above his own. He was a flight commander during the war in Korea and completed 359 operational flying hours on fighter aircraft. In subsequent years he was a flying instructor at Central Flying School where he rose to the very responsible positions of Officer in Charge of Testing and Assessing, Chief Ground Instructor and Chief Flying Instructor. During all these years on flying instruction Major Swemmer established the proud achievement of never having had one of his own pupils suspended from flying training. On completion of his long and excellent instructional tour he took over 40 Citizen Force Squadron as Officer Commanding. Major Swemmer has always set an extremely high standard in flying efficiency and has always insisted that all the pilots under his command aimed at achieving the same standard. His perseverance and untiring efforts to maintain this ideal has benefited the SA Air Force to a considerable degree and was illustrated in a most convincing manner recently when his squadron won the Citizen Force Inter Squadron Competition. The keenness, discipline and high standard of flying displayed by the members of his squadron was a direct result of the prolonged and untiring efforts of the squadron commander himself. The zeal and enthusiasm shown was a complete reflection of Major Swemmer’s own enthusiasm and zeal.’ Chief of Defence Force Commendation Medal. The original recommendation dated, 25 May 1970, states: ‘Cmdt. Swemmer has been employed as a flying instructor in the SAAF since 1951. Appointed Chief Instructor, FTS DNTR, in January 1968, he has proved to be an extremely capable, conscientious and dependable officer. He organised his flying and ground training programmes in a manner that promoted maximum efficiency and flying safety, leading to the high standard of the trained pilots and the decreased accident rate of the FTS. As a flying instructor on Harvard, Vampire and Cessna aircraft for nineteen years, Cmdt. Swemmer has flown 4,237 hours. 1,859 have been flying instructional hours. he holds an A1 Category IRE Rating. Cmdt. Swemmer’s qualifications are the highest a flying instructor can obtain. His dedication to his work and the diligence shown by this officer has been an outstanding example to the junior flying instructors and helped to enhance the reputation of the South African Air Force.’ Frans Adriaan Swemmer was born in Standerton, South Africa in July 1920, and initially served as a Lieutenant with the S.A.I.C. from September 1939 - January 1942. He transferred to the South African Air Force for pilot training in January 1942, qualified as a pilot in May 1943, and served with 3 Squadron S.A.A.F. (Spitfires) in the Middle East and Italy. Swemmer received an official reprimand for: ‘Being guilty of an act in flying which was likely to cause loss of life to a person, in that he when on active service at or about 10.00 hours on 5 June 1945 at Camp Formido aerodrome when a pilot of His Majesty’s aircraft Spitfire No. CA.F. dived and flew the said aircraft over the runway of the said airfield at a height of approximately 50 ft., which act was likely to cause loss of life to himself as pilot of said aircraft.’ Swemmer was appointed as a Lieutenant to the Permanent Force in May 1946. He was posted to 2 (Flying Cheetahs) Squadron, with the original contingent of 49 officers and 157 men, he left Durban for Tokyo, Japan en route to Korea on 26 September 1950. Arriving at Johnson Air Base on 5 November, the squadron spent the next 10 days converting to F-51 Mustangs. Here the Americans tried to treat them like complete novices, whereas most had flown the Mustang previously, some during the Second War. It took a serious demonstration in acrobatic flying to show the Americans the error of their ways. By 12 November, the conversion was complete and the first pilots were on their way to Korea. On 16 November a further 13 officers and 21 other ranks left for K9 airfield at Pusan. The squadron was attached to the American 18th Fighter Bomber Wing, with whom they remained for the rest of the war. On 19 November, the advance detachment moved to K24 near the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, flying their first combat mission the same day. Swemmer served as a Flight Commander with 2 Squadron during the Korean War, and completed 359 operational flying hours on fighter aircraft. He was involved in a flying accident, 4 March 1951, ‘0645 Hrs Lt. Swemmer took on an armed recce. Engine cut. The aircraft overshot end of runway and he crashed landed in rice paddy fields. Aircraft badly damaged.’ (Accident report refers) Swemmer was posted for service as an Instructor to the Central Flying School in July 1951, and advanced to Captain in December 1957. Swemmer advanced to Major in December 1962, and to Commandant in December 1968. He served as Officer Commanding 40 Squadron, January 1965 - December 1967, and was then posted as Chief Instructor, C.F.S., December 1967 - July 1970. Subsequent postings included as SO Ops, Light Aircraft Command, and Swemmer advanced to Colonel in October 1974. Colonel Swemmer retired in July 1980. Sold with extensive copied service papers, including a photographic image of the recipient in uniform.
An Albert Medal Second Class for Land awarded to Able Seaman J. Ramsay, Royal Navy, for his gallantry in saving the life of a Royal Marine who had fallen onto the tracks just as a train was approaching the platform at Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station on 7 January 1908 Albert Medal, 2nd Class, for Gallantry in Saving Life on Land, bronze and enamel, the reverse officially engraved ‘Presented by His Majesty to John Ramsay, for gallantry in saving life at Temple Meads Railway Station, Bristol, on the 7th January, 1908.’ on 1st Class riband, minor dinting to reverse, nearly extremely fine and a scarce ‘Land’ award to a serving sailor £6,000-£8,000 --- A.M. London Gazette 28 July 1908: ‘Early on the morning of the 7th January last, when the 12.57 a.m. down mail train was approaching Temple Meads Station, Bristol, a Marine, W. Howat, belonging to His Majesty’s Ship Donegal, fell from the platform. Howat’s perilous position was observed by Ramsay, who at once jumped down to his assistance. The approaching train was only about sixty feet distant at the time, but he succeeded, though at the imminent risk of his own life, in dragging the fallen man back to the platform as the train passed the spot.’ John Ramsay was born at Glasgow on 6 April 1884 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 6 August 1901. He was advanced Able Seaman on 18 June 1903, and at the time of the gallant act for which he was awarded the Albert Medal Second Class was borne on the books of H.M.S. Vivid I. He was presented with his Albert Medal by H.M. King Edward VII on 21 July 1908. He was shore discharged on 5 April 1914, time expired, and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day. Ramsay was recalled to the service following the outbreak of the Great War, and served during the Great War in a variety of ships and shore based establishments, most notably H.M.S. Illustrious from 18 August 1914 to 26 November 1915. He was invalided out of the service on 22 November 1917. Sold with copied research, including a photographic image of the recipient taken from The Fleet magazine, February 1909.
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