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Lot 1
The Operation Husky Immediate Distinguished Service Order group to Temporary Acting Captain (later Lieutenant Colonel) William Cunningham, Royal Marines: D.S.O.. George VI; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; British War Medal 1939-45; Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration, Elizabeth II, reverse dated 1956; mounted for wearing, nearly extremely fine; together with a mounted group of corresponding dress miniatures; the recipient's King's Badge with letter of issue; and accompanied by a large quantity of associated documents and ephemera, including: the recipient's commission, a portrait photograph of him in uniform beside his older brother, John 'Cat's Eyes' Cunningham, R.A.F., official correspondence, a reconnaissance photographs dated for June 1943 and apparently showing one of the Husky landing beaches, and much other material. D.S.O. London Gazette 29/10/1943 William Cunningham enlisted as a Marine on the 14th May 1940. He was commissioned as a Temporary Lieutenant in August of that year, and in October he was appointed to 103 Brigade for the 8th Battalion R.M.. He spent some of this time as an instructor at the R.M. Cadet Training Unit at Thurlestone. In November 1942 he transferred to the newly formed 41 (Royal Marine) Commando, with the rank of Acting Temporary Captain. A period of intensive training followed - the unit diary for 21 June 1943 records, for example: "…40 and 41 Commandos and Bde H.Q. landed at Brodick (Arran) for cliff climbing exercises". Two days later, the senior officers travelled by air to London to "collect latest oblique photographs of "HUSKY"" The planning for Husky involved the convergence on Sicily of three naval task forces. The Special Service Brigade comprised of 40 and 41 Commandos and commanded by Brigadier Robert Laycock was attached to the 1st Canadian Division, which set out from the UK as part of Task Force V under Admiral Philip Vian, on the 28th June. The Special Service Brigade was assigned to the extreme western end of the British landing beaches, on the Pachino peninsula, to protect the Canadian landing by capturing coastal gun emplacements and then providing flank protection until the rest of the force was established ashore. The neutralisation of one such strong point was the particular responsibility of Cunningham and his troop, but their landing was hampered by heavy seas and logistical problems, and he found himself ashore in the wrong place, with a drastically understrength unit. He led his men swiftly to their objective, where another problem awaited them. The enemy position, which Cunningham had approached from the rear, was protected by barbed wire entanglements, and the Bangalore torpedoes that he needed to clear it had been lost in the landing. He was obliged to use wire cutters instead - a far more hazardous method. Next, Cunningham dashed round to the front of the emplacement, exposing himself to direct enemy fire, and personally silenced the position by putting a grenade through a loophole. The price of this success was a severe wound to his left arm caused by machinegun fire. In spite of this he refused to leave the field until the action had concluded, and according to the recommendation he accounted for a significant number of the enemy - either dead or taken prisoner. The significance of his deed is summarized in the recommendation thus: "His leadership especially after a painful wound was an inspiration to all. I consider that less resolute action by this Officer would have resulted in considerably heavier casualties to our Troops" It is noteworthy that for the Second World War the Royal Marines were awarded a mere 38 D.S.O.s (including second and third awards) - a tiny proportion of the overall total of 5,444. This group is thus very rare. Also of great interest is the fact that William Cunningham was the younger brother of the highly decorated pilot John 'Cat's Eyes' Cunningham. Following a period of recuperation, Cunningham was assessed as unfit for further commando service, and joined the staff at Thurlstone. He subsequently served as Town Mayor of Middelburg after the capture of Walcheren. Rejoining 41 Commando after the war, he rose to become its commanding officer. He received further injuries in a car accident, while on duty, in January 1946. He was released from the Royal Marines in August 1946, and awarded the King's Badge. Commissioned a Captain in the R.M.F.V.R., he was promoted Major in 1950, before finally retiring from the armed forces in June 1960. He died 23rd February 1989, aged 68 years. References: Abbott & Tamplin, 'British Gallantry Awards' WO 373/47 at The National Archives Globe & Laurel Magazine, March-April 1989, Obituary WO 218/44 at The National Archives London Gazette issue
Lot 17
Three medals to Petty Officer (later Lieutenant Commander) Gordon Alan Harris, Royal Navy: Korea 1950-53, first type obverse (D/JX. 795559 G.A. HARRIS. P.O. R.N.); United Nations Korea Service 1950-54, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued, mounted for wearing and with corresponding dress miniature group, about very fine; together with a collection of associated ephemera, including services records, professional qualification certificates, photographs - including portraits of Prince Charles in Naval uniform, and other items. Lieutenant Commander Harris volunteered for the Royal Navy in 1946, his time beginning in 1948; and he retired in 1983. During the period of the Korean War he served in H.M.S. Illustrious, Drake, Black Swan and Unicorn, the latter two of which were deployed in the Far East (joined Black Swan 18/08/1950). He appears to have been in Drake when she made naval history as the only aircraft carrier to conduct a shore bombardment in wartime, when she engaged enemy coast watchers at Chopekki point. The documents offered with this lot provide a clear impression of Lieutenant Commander Harris's career progression. A notable characteristic of this archive is that it abounds with the highest praise for Harris's character and efficiency. The various forms of endorsement make it clear that he was a sailor and an officer of peerless quality. See lot 6 for the medals to this officer's father.
Lot 390
λ An Imperial German naval officer's dress sword, pipe-backed blade 30.5 in.; gilt-brass hilt with folding shell, embossed decoration including a fouled anchor surmounted by the Imperial crown, lion head pommel, ivory grip; black leather scabbard with white metal mounts decorated with volutes against a hammered ground.
Lot 276
Sweden: a collection of awards, comprising: Golden Wedding of King Oscar II and Queen Sofia, 1907, gilt openwork medal, 26 mm, extremely fine or nearly so; medal for the 70th Birthday of King Gustav V, 1928, gilt and enamels, 29.7 mm, mounted with the last for wearing and with a severed Vasa ribbon, extremely fine; Order of Vasa, breast badge, 18 carat gold and enamels, marked for 1951, extremely fine or better; together with a mounted dress miniature group of the three forgoing awards, and a separate miniature Vasa badge, gilt and enamels, all extremely fine; and a further miniature Vasa badge, in C.F. Carlman card box, good very fine.
Lot 263
France, Second Empire: China Expedition Medal 1860, silver, 32 mm, unsigned, embroidered ribbon, good very fine; another example, reduced size, 21.6 mm, initialled 'E.F.' under truncation, embroidered ribbon, extremely fine or nearly so; an a dress miniature example, 17 mm, unsigned, embroidered ribbon, nearly extremely fine. [3]
Lot 367
λ A British 1805 pattern Royal Naval officer's dress sword, ornamented type, light spadroon blade, gilt and sometime blued; embellished gilt bass stirrup hilt, crowned fouled anchor to the langets, Greek key and dart bands to the ferrule, lion head pommel with mane forming the back strap, chequered and wire bound ivory grip; black leather scabbard with lattice and flower head engraved gilt brass mounts, possibly slightly shortened.
Lot 15
Four medals named or attributed to Bombardier L. C. Waldron, Royal Artillery: 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Regular Army L.S.G.C. (1053856 BMBR. L.C. WALDRON. R.A.), oak leaf emblem (M.I.D. London Gazette 29/11/1945); together with an Officer's breast badge of the Order of the British Empire, cased and with cased dress miniature. [qty]
Lot 284
A rare Derby group of Leda and the swan, circa 1780Leda seated with her head turned towards the swan, her dress delicately painted with floral sprigs and edged in gold, the swan supported by tall green reeds and in an animated pose with wings outstretched, on a boldly scrolled base, 30cm high, patch marks
Lot 280
A Derby biscuit group of 'The Antique Seasons', circa 1780The four divinities standing on a rocky mound around a leafy tree, 'Spring' gathering flowers in the folds of her dress, 'Summer' holding a corn-sheaf and reaping-hook, 'Autumn' with a bunch of grapes and a goblet and 'Winter' gathering his robes about him and warming himself over a brazier, 27.5cm high, incised crown, crossed swords and D mark and 'No. 248'
Lot 581
PAIR OF LARGE MEISSEN FIGURES OF A GARDENER AND COMPANION 19TH CENTURY modelled in 18th century dress, both holding baskets of flowers and raised on square bases with blue crossed swords marks, variously impressed, incised (B65 and 2868) and painted with numbers (Dimensions: 49.5cm and 48cm high) (Qty: (2))(49.5cm and 48cm high)
Lot 348
THOMAS THORNYCROFT (1815-1885) QUEEN VICTORIA ON HORSEBACK bronze, dark brown patina, signed T. THORNYCROFT FECIT/ LONDON 1853 and inscribed ART UNION OF LONDON/ 1854 (Dimensions: 54cm high, 65cm wide approx.)(54cm high, 65cm wide approx.)Footnote: Note : Arriving at the Great Exhibition in 1851 visitors were met in the central courtyard by a larger-than-life plaster statue of Queen Victoria on horseback by Thomas Thornycroft. The composition, believed to be derived from an engraving of Victoria reviewing the troops at Chobham, was greatly admired by the sovereign and Prince Albert. Some critics however, felt this version, which showed Victoria in contemporary dress on her lively Arabian horse, too modern, with The Times reviewer going so far as to brand it ‘too anatomical’. Nevertheless, it was favoured by the Queen and used later with some alterations for a large bronze group to accompany an equestrian figure of Prince Albert outside St George’s Hall, Liverpool, completed in 1869. The Art Union of London commissioned Thornycroft to complete fifty statues in bronze, and awarded them as prizes between 1854 and 1859, of which the current lot is one. As part of the commission, he repositioned to horse’s legs, changing them from the plaster version shown at the Great Exhibition. Other examples are in the Royal Collection and the collection of the V&A. Thomas Thornycroft, the son of a farmer, spent four years as an apprentice to the Sculptor John Francis, marrying his daughter Mary, also a sculptor, in 1840. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1839 and 1874 and made numerous large commissions, including Boadicea and Her Daughters on the Western end of Westminster Bridge, and a marble group Commerce for the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gallery.
Lot 204
English School circa 1900 Full length portrait of a young woman in fur-lined dress Indistinctly signed and dated 1900, oil on canvas (Dimensions: 51cm x 36cm (20in x 14in))(51cm x 36cm (20in x 14in))Condition report: Unlined - small hole to figure's left shoulder and to drapery bottom right visible in illustration - a little scruffy but largely original condition
Lot 146
A selection of Chinese silk textiles, Qing and 20th century to include: a black silk blue lined robe embroidered with flowers and with blue floral edge, a black silk robe embroidered with blue flowers and with cream figural and scroll borders, a pink silk robe embroidered with a five clawed dragon and phoenix roundel, a salmon pink dress with label for the Golden Dragon Silk Co.Ltd, Kowloon, a lavender pink silk dress with label for Fai Kee, Tailor, two pairs of shoes, a Chinese silk covered spectacles case, various silk panels, lined hat, sash, some damage (qty)
Lot 309
A quantity of costume jewellery and effects, to include a silver and marcasite set dress ring, and single clip on earring, a marcasite set silver bar brooch, with Art Deco design, in James Usher and Son of Lincoln box, a long service medal for the National Operatic and Dramatic Association, a coral necklace on thin yellow metal clasp, a wine decanter label, faux pearl necklaces, wristwatches, gold plated locket and chain, etc. (1 tray)
Lot 53
Ariana Campbell, oil painting, Portrait of Commander Patrick Stratton Campbell RN, 66cm x 48cm, signed and dated 1931, sold together with the sitter's cased Bicorn hat and epaulettes by Gieve Matthews & Seagrove and dress sword with leather scabbard. Provenance: consigned to auction by the family of Patrick Stratton CampbellNote: Patrick Stratton Campbell pre WWI - training ships, WWI Lt Cdr Destroyers, Interwar Bombay Fleet and on Shorebase, possibly Naval Intelligence, WWII Shore Base, post WWII training ships
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228188 item(s)/page