Italian school of the first half of the 19th century. After RAFAEL SANZIO (Italy, 1483 - 1520)."The Holy Family of Francis I/The Large Holy Family".Oil on canvas.Size: 104 x 137 cm; 122 x 150 cm. (frame).This work is a faithful continuation of the one painted by Raphael Sanzio in 1518, an oil on panel transferred to canvas now in the Louvre Museum in Paris. In this canvas Raphael depicted the Holy Family accompanied by the infant John the Baptist and his mother, Saint Elizabeth. The placement of the various figures reflects the hierarchy of the figures in this iconography. Thus we see Saint Joseph in the background, almost hidden in the shadows, while the two women and the two children remain in the foreground, directly illuminated. These four figures form a typically Raphaelesque pyramidal scheme, much imitated by his followers, which is clearly classical, and which anchors and balances the composition. Furthermore, this scheme serves to focus attention on the two main figures: Jesus and Mary.With regard to the subject matter, the iconography that introduces the figure of Saint John into scenes of the Holy Family or Mary with the Child is not only due to the saint's status as a relative of Jesus, but also has a theological significance. These images present St John the Baptist as a prophet who announces Christ's redemptive mission, which is why, despite the fact that he is depicted as a child, before his retreat into the desert, he appears in the skin of a lamb or camel and generally accompanied by the iconographic attributes common in his images, which allude to the Passion of Christ. However, unlike in other paintings by Raphael and others, the children here appear to be oblivious to Jesus' dramatic fate. Only the two women show a certain restrained sorrow in their expressions that allows us to guess the sorrow with which they contemplate the children's games.
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Madrid School of the 17th century."Christ of Medinaceli".Oil on canvas.Frame ca. 1800.Measurements: 67 x 95 cm; 94 x 124 cm (frame).The iconography of the Christ of Medinaceli (also known as Jesús Nazareno Rescatado or El Señor de Madrid) evokes the moment of the Passion when Pontius Pilate presents him to the people. This canvas, like the great majority of works of this iconography, is taken from the sculpture of the Christ of Medinaceli located in the Basilica of Our Father Jesus of Medinaceli in Madrid. Although the author of this carving is unknown, it is thought that it may belong to the Sevillian school of the Cordovan Juan de Mesa.The Madrid school emerged around the court of first Philip IV and then Charles II, and developed throughout the 17th century. Analysts of this school have insisted on considering its development as a result of the binding power of the court; what is truly decisive is not the place of birth of the different artists, but the fact that they were educated and worked around and for a nobiliary and religious clientele based next to the royals. This allowed and favoured a stylistic unity, even though there were the logical divergences due to the personalities of the members. The origins of the Madrid school are linked to the accession to the throne of Philip IV, a monarch who made Madrid an artistic centre for the first time. This was an awakening of the nationalist conscience as it allowed a liberation from the previous Italianate moulds and a leap from the last echoes of Mannerism to Tenebrism. This was the first step taken by the school, which gradually progressed towards a more autochthonous Baroque language linked to the political, religious and cultural conceptions of the Habsburg monarchy, before dying out with the first outbreaks of Rococo in the work of the last of its representatives, A. Palomino. The techniques most commonly used by these painters were oil and fresco. Stylistically, the starting point was naturalism with a notable capacity for synthesis, leading in due course to the allegorical and formal complexity characteristic of the decorative Baroque. These artists showed a great concern for the study of light and colour, as we can see here, initially emphasising the interplay between extreme tones characteristic of tenebrism, which were later replaced by a more exalted and luminous colouring. They received and assimilated Italian, Flemish and Velázquez influences. The clientele determined the fact that the subject matter was reduced almost exclusively to portraits and religious paintings.
Seiko 5 automatic stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch, reference no. 7009-3170, black dial, crown at the four position, Seiko bracelet, 37mm-** spare links-Movement - currently functioning.Dial - light surface marks and blemishes, some surface corrosion around the Seiko lettering.Glass - light surface marks.Hands - light surface marks, hole to the hour hand infill.Case - light surface marks.Crown - adjusting correctly.Bracelet - mild stretching to the first links at the lugs, general light surface marks, wrist size 7.00'' approx.-Condition reports are provided for general guidance only. Please view images and further information can be obtained upon request. Gardiner Houlgate do not guarantee the working order or time accuracy of any lots. Due to the opening of the wristwatch case backs, it is recommended watches are re-sealed by professional technicians to ensure any stated water resistance is retained
Rolex Oyster Air-King Precision 'Tropical Dial' stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch, reference no. 4499, serial no. 422xxx, circa 1946, signed 'tropical' dial with luminous Arabic numerals and outer minute track, luminous steel hands and centre seconds, Precision 17 jewel movement, screw down Oyster crown, signed case, expanding bracelet, 34mm (crown stem requires attention)-** The reference 4499 Air-King was in production for a short period of time and by 1953 had been replaced by the first automatic Air-King under reference 6552-Movement - currently functioning, although the crown is not adjusting the hand set at present, so will require attention.Dial - 'tropical' speaks for itself! see the images for guidance.Glass - crack tot he glass and marks.Hands - period hands with nice patina to match the dial.Case - typical marks, the back does have visible scrartch marks, model and serial reference numbers nice and clear, also nice and clear to the inside case back - see images.Crown - Oyster crown, winds the movement but not changing hands at present so will require attention.Bracelet - later expanding bracelet.-Condition reports are provided for general guidance only. Please view images and further information can be obtained upon request. Gardiner Houlgate do not guarantee the working order or time accuracy of any lots. Due to the opening of the wristwatch case backs, it is recommended watches are re-sealed by professional technicians to ensure any stated water resistance is retained
A fine and rare Patek Philippe 18ct 'oversized' Calatrava gentleman's wristwatch, reference no. 570, movement no. 960.xxx, case no. 300.xxx, circa 1947, silvered dial with raised Arabic numerals and dot markers, with subsidiary seconds dial and outer minute track, cal.12 120 manual wind movement, the case back inscribed 'Hyman Zane 1909-1988' (the original owner), later tan leather strap, 35.5mm-** with the Extract from the Archives confirming the date of sale June 6th, 1947 -** First introduced in 1938, the reference 570 was the first ever “large” Calatrava model manufactured by Patek Philippe. The reference was produced in three series in total, and in five difference case materials. The first series encased the cal. 12 120 as is fitted in this particular model-Movement - currently functioning, we are informed the watch was serviced 2009 when the Archive certificate was obtained.Dial - clean condition, the 12 when viewed very closely is slightly off-set - see images .Glass - light marks, with a scratch mark just below the 12 position.Hands - clean condition.Case - good condition, the owner had his fathers name and dates engraved tot he back following his death in 1988 - see images.Crown - PP crown and probably a service crown, good.Strap - not a PP strap or buckle and would benefit with replacement.With Archive certificate, no box.-Condition reports are provided for general guidance only. Please view images and further information can be obtained upon request. Gardiner Houlgate do not guarantee the working order or time accuracy of any lots. Due to the opening of the wristwatch case backs, it is recommended watches are re-sealed by professional technicians to ensure any stated water resistance is retained
Interesting Universal, Genéve Compax chronograph stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch, reference no. 22278, serial no. 1161xxx, movement no. 256xxx, circa 1947, silvered dial with luminous Arabic numerals, chronograph centre seconds and triple subsidiary dials, cal. 281 movement with dust cover, the case back with inscription 'Championnat Du Monde, S.Circa Genéve 1947', 34mm (no strap, requires service)** see the link below for further reference. The 1947 World Championship regatta program was the first to be held outside of the US in Genéva, Switzerland in 1947. https://www.snipe.org/articles-advices-and-education/snipe-yesterday/1947-snipe-world-championship-geneva-switzerland/-Movement - currently functioning although the centre second hand is not setting back correctly so will require attention.Dial - typical light marks as expected of the period.Glass - light marks.Hands - visible marks.Case - engraved back - see images.Crown - adjusts correctly.Strap/Bracelet - no strap or bracelet.-Condition reports are provided for general guidance only. Please view images and further information can be obtained upon request. Gardiner Houlgate do not guarantee the working order or time accuracy of any lots. Due to the opening of the wristwatch case backs, it is recommended watches are re-sealed by professional technicians to ensure any stated water resistance is retained
Collection in nine volumes and several shoeboxes in two cartons, the first book with some useful 19th century incl. two penny blacks and two 1840 2d blues with faults, however the main strength is in the decimal QEII with stockbooks of specialised Machins mostly in multiples, three boxed Davo albums, plus presentation packs and FDCs to 2005 in the shoeboxes, face value well over £1800.
Thirty-three binders of stamps (not counting 'spares' volumes) and fifteen of FDCs to 2020, in six boxes. The collector has been ambitious in neatly laying out and annotating spaces for virtually all the listed varieties frpm the penny black onwards, therefore very sparse particularly on the earlier issues, though we note a few mint/unused penny reds among the line-engraved, later also the 1985 34p Hitchcock with queen's head beneath value. The QEII sets are mostly with traffic lights and/or imprints from pre-decimal through to 2020 with mint and used of each. The mint first class panes are in two forms each, attached to the page by the corner selvage. A few of the volumes are back of the book incl. a useful range of dues with 1959-63 set MNH, etc. Face value will be well in excess of £3600.
Stockbook collection of back of the book areas, two large volumes and three smaller, including an interesting range of training school overprints and hand-cancelled examples, incl. five full sheets (Machin 1p, 2p, 50p and 2nd class, plus 1p due), 'PHG Training Centre' registration labels in strips, other sections on the 1970 decimal currency training labels with the five issued values in blocks of ten, 1974 octagonal self-adhesives, large postage paid labels, etc. In the smaller books is much postmark interest, as well as a good range of postage dues, virtually complete basic types incl. first series with both shades of 1/- mint, 1924-31 set mint and used, 1937-38 1/- and 2/6d MNH, 1954-55 set MNH and used (SG.D40/D45, cat. £380), etc.
Collection in eleven cover albums, issues to 2006, the first definitives volume beginning with three KEVIII values, the first commemoratives volume starting with 1940s issues incl. 1948 Silver Wedding set (cat. £425), the pre-decimal issues with phosphors, lots of alternative postmarks and cachets here, later booklets and souvenir sheets, please inspect.
Extensive FDC collection from Edward VIII to 2021, firstly chronologically organised in 22 Royal Mail albums in which well over 250 of the covers are with autographs of people related to the issue or subject matter. A further four binders house Benham silks. Then a carton of loose bundles of covers with much pre-decimal including the earlier items with KEVIII 1st September set, KGVI dark colour printings, 1941 3d pale violet single, etc. A great lot for the First Day collector.
An exciting comprehensive accumulation of new issues of KGVI and QEII sent monthly as they were obtained from source by The Commonwealth Stamp Coy., Liverpool and never since removed from their packets, the dated invoices still accompanying, giving a most interesting insight into the period of printing for listed and unlisted varieties. Thousands of mint never hinged stamps here in flawless condition and much with selvage including plate number high values, stored in glassines in about 130 envelopes running from August 1948 to July 1963. We have separated only the 1948 Silver Wedding omnibus set (Lot 192 in this sale). In the first of the two boxes are noted Bermuda high values incl. 12/6d shades, Cyrenaica SG.136/148 and postage dues SG.D149/D155 cat. £575, Canada SG.O162/O171 cat. £280, Pakistan 1947 first set and officials cat. £340, Singapore small perf set cat. £400, South Africa 1/- official pair varieties incl. two distinct opt formats se-tenant (unlisted), O47a two shades cat. £340, etc. Also the Malaysian States sultans sets, Somalia and Tripolitania surcharges, etc. Towards the end of the box the later KGVI mingles with the early Elizabethan issues, the second box solely QEII with further good printings noted incl. Western Samoa £2 SG.212, cat. £200, India 1952 10r Qutb Minar blue shade SG.323b, cat. £275, etc, etc. The only condition issue seen was the Gandhi set which has stuck together due to prone type of gum. Catalogue will certainly run to over £20,000, probably nearer £25,000. Highly recommended.
A 1930s edition red 'New Ideal' volume that came to us in a paper wrapper tied with string and wax-sealed from a bank vault, the first part of a collection continuing with Lots 140 and 141, this album well-filled with thousands of mint and used stamps, highlights including (used unless stated otherwise) Antigua 1907 5/- and 1912 2/-, Ascension 1934 set mint, Barbados 1897 2/6d blued paper mint (SG.133), 1903 2/6d (SG.115, cat. £300), 1905 2/6d, etc, Canada from 3d imperf beaver (lower margin just touching outer frame) jubilee $2 roller cancel, 1903 20cts mint and 50cts, 1908 Quebec mint set (without usual thins, 5cts damaged), etc, Cyprus 1892-94 set (SG.31/37, cat. £1,100), surcharges, 1894 upper values mint (SG.44/49, cat. £275),1924 90pi (SG.117, cat. £300) and 1934 set mint, Falklands 1904 5/- and mint 1914 10/-, Great Britain four margin penny black through to excellent KGV mint range with several seahorses to 10/- shades with vibrant colours, mint PUC £1 and mint re-engraved seahorses set. Then on to interesting Hong Kong incl. scarce 1898 Noronha 10cts surcharge (SG.54, cat. £1,200), India from imperfs onwards, Lagos 1904 2/6d and 5/- mint (SG.51/52, cat. £290), good Newfoundland, Rhodesia double portraits mint to 2/6d again with strong colours, etc. Plenty of potential here for discoveries, a highly recommended viewing.
Collection of many thousands of mint stamps, virtually all in sets, housed in five hefty and largely complete New Age albums. Other than being hinged once, the quality is pristine throughout with fresh colours, highlights including Abu Dhabi complete, Aden and Protectorates complete, 1954-1956 first sets of Ascension, Bahamas, Basutoland, etc, Australia admirals set of eight with paper varieties, Basutoland R1 surcharge all three types on 10/-, Cyprus 1955 set and ovpt set, Falklands complete and Dependencies 1954 set, Gambia complete, Gibraltar complete to 1970, Great Britain Waterlow and 2nd De La Rue castles sets, phosphors, etc, Hong Kong complete to 1970, K.U.T. complete, Malaysian States sets, etc, etc.
Collection in 26 large and small stockbooks, generally a basic range of issues in mixed condition, 19th century noted however mainly KGV to early QEII incl. Hong Kong, British Mediterranean and Caribbean, latter with Bermuda 1965 International Co-operation Year 4cts in five full sheets of sixty (with toning) all showing unlisted constant flaw on hand at position r.11/3. Also British Africa, especially K.U.T., the Cape of Good Hope with presentable 1d and 1/- triangles. Oddly enough also Japan with four used imperf dragon first issues, as usual requiring expertisation but looking okay.
The miscellaneous balance from a new issue hoarder: mostly GB and Commonwealth box of boxes, one with over 60 first flight covers of the 1950s and '60s for BOAC, Air New Zealand, Malayan Airways, etc, in groups with letters as sent from the airlines; an FDCs box with GB pre-decimal issues in quantities and some British Commonwealth from 1930s and 1940s; small stack of presentation packs too with face value £40; a nice 38-page collection of GB used abroad QV to KGVI mostly on piece incl. octagonal 'Natal Field Force - V.R.' on jubilee issues, Middle East incl. Doha, lots of different Paquebot, etc; plus old envelopes/stockcards incl. Mafeking Baden-Powell 3d narrower type mint (creased, cat. £1,700), KGVI part sheets, etc. Also a box of a dozen unused/empty stockbooks incl. four vintage.
Thirty volumes from a collector's large holding of stockbooks and albums, thousands of different stamps from QV onwards, majority MNH. Never hinged highlights include: many 1948 Silver Weddings incl. Hong Kong set, Bermuda KGV 5/- and KGVI 10/-, 12/6d and £1, Cook Islands 1967 decimal currency surcharges complete set to $10 on £5 (SG.205/221, cat. £420), Cyprus with 1938-51 set, the first QEII sets to £1 and 1963 Scout m/s, Gambia 1938 set, etc, etc. Other interesting issues are Fiji 'Times Express' 1876 imitations set, India 1948 Gandhi issue mint with rice-paper adhesion lower values and 10r disturbed gum yet fresh looking set, plus the Gandhi 1½a 'Service' double ovpt used (presumed forgery). Please inspect.
Five volumes from a collector's large holding of stockbooks and albums, hundreds of stamps from first issues onwards including good mint sets of the 1920s, 1931 rotary congress MNH (cat. $550), 1932 artists MNH (cat. $260), 1933 WIPA single MNH (cat. $260, signed), 1933 catholic congress MNH (cat. $350), 1950-53 birds airmail high values MNH (SG.1215/1221, cat. £500), etc. Lots more here, please inspect.
Seven volumes from a collector's large holding of stockbooks and albums, with Pro Juventute sets incl. 1916 mint, first airpost set mint with the 30cts signed twice, 1934 NABA m/s vlh (cat. £500), 1940 National Fete m/s MNH (cat. £400 for hinged), 1941 landscapes airmail set MNH, 1941 costumes m/s MNH, 1945 PAX set MNH (cat. £275 for hinged), etc.
A stockbook from a collector's large holding of stockbooks and albums, this with several hundred mostly mint stamps, much mint never hinged with key items in excellent quality, including first set MNH, 1949 UPU set MNH (SG.149/150, cat. £240), 1951 Council of Chalcedon set in MNH pairs (SG.168/172, cat. £280), 1951 Gratianus set MNH signed (SG.173/174, cat. £550), the 1952 stamp centenary Mailcoach miniature sheet used (SG.MS176a, cat. £275), 1000L blue airmail MNH (SG.191), etc. Also a few Papal States classics incl. #1 used and 40cts yellow imperf used (blue cancel, indistinct) with no stop after figures variety (SG.36a, cat. £550). Please inspect.
A binder of 85 flight covers, including a great section of KGV with 1933 G.W.R. Air Mail label tied on cover, June 1934 Rocket Post label tied by 'Trial Firing - Sussex Downs' pmk, various 1933-1935 first flights incl. Westcountry Air Service labels, Inverness - Orkneys covers with labels (with and without photo cachet of plane), a series of seven 20.8.1934 Railway Air Services routes from Cowes, Isle of Wight to various destinations including Douglas and Belfast, etc. Further series include 1963 Malayan Airways flights with frankings of Brunei, N.Borneo, Thailand, Selangor, etc, 1963 BOAC Comet flights with frankings of Iraq, Pakistan, Singapore, fifteen 1965 Air New Zealand routes, etc.
An interesting box of old envelopes and vintage albums incl. an old Senf volume for issues to 1890, heavily remaindered aside from an overfill of Hong Kong (appears a family connection), incl. 1885 20cts on 30cts SG.40 mint (stuck), 1891 14cts on 30cts SG.44 mint (stuck), KEVII $2 used with clean cancel (wmk undetermined but appears to be the better 1903 issue), through to KGVI defins highly complete: the 1938 issues to $10 green and violet (SG.161) unfortunately also stuck, the 1946 set to $10 bright-lilac and blue however are not at all stuck and with strong colours. The envelopes have covers and loose off- and on-paper from WWII-period worldwide commercial correspondence. Also noted a glassine envelope with Pakistan first set and official ovpts both to 10r MNH. Certainly a lot that gives the feeling there will be finds.
1855-57 first surface-printed issues with no corner letters. Fourteen stamps assembled for superb quality and presented on album pages, including 4d carmine (SG.62) with Liverpool spoon cancel, all with full or partial cds examples except a neat numeral pmk on one of the 4d thick glazed paper shades (SG.66b var: deeper shade, less thick paper), through to three superb cds 1/- green or pale greens. Minimum cat. £4,500.
Various albums/stockbooks (30) and loose filling five banker's boxes, with country collections/accumulations mainly of Australia, Papua/New Guinea, Canada incl. pocketbook of Newfoundland, Malta with mint to 2011 and Cyprus incl. 1938-51 set to £1 used and additional values to £1, 1948 silver wedding set MNH, first QEII and overprint set both to £1 used, etc. Also useful general British Commonwealth in loose-leaf albums, a decent cricket theme collection, Isle of Man mint to 2011, Christmas issues of the world in six albums, etc. Please inspect.
1853 10cts deep bright blue, four margins well clear all round, tied by bar and concentric rings cancel (the stamp lifted and hinged in place), SG.2 cat. £500. From the Jagerschmidt and Jullian archival correspondence ubiquitous in all the greatest collections of Chile, named and dated on the inside flap Caldera 6.9.1855 from William Wheelwright, the founder of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company and builder of the first railway in South America running from Caldera to Copiapó. A wonderful item of early railwayana.
Varied collection of 65 covers/cards from 19th century to 1940s, each here for a reason, whether P.o.W., Paquebot, unusual and attractive cancels etc, incl. colourful 1919 combination franking of Japan (1913 1sn and two 4sn) and Japanese Offices in China (1913 ½sn and 2sn blocks of four) tied on Hotel advertising cover during Occupation of the Liaodong Peninsula, China, by purple date stamps of the Imperial Japanese Post Office - Port Arthur (now Dalian); Latin American airmail covers incl. Colombia 1920 30cts rose SCADTA, Brazil 5,000r Augusto Severo compound perf (Scott #C23c), Bolivia 1945 airmail set First Day on surcharged stationery, etc; First Flights of Persia and Durban-London; ‘Anglo-Soviet-Persian Censorship’ h/s; French Colonies; bisects with bizarre GB 1888 postally used fiscal cut-and-shut, philatelic British Honduras 2cts surcharge pair one bisected and Portugal 1893 100r tied bisect in Madeira; Gibraltar 5cts newspaper/document wrapper uprated with GB 2½d blue plate 23 registered to Spain with excellent strike of Austro-Hungarian Consulate; possibly earliest Scout cachet (front); German Office in Constantinople three colour franking of 1889 issues on 20pa on 10pf stationery, etc. A very interesting range.
Good Assortment of 5 African Spears, 19th century, comprising a fine Congolese example with extensive thick copper windings, iron off-set head with pierced opening, swollen section to haft carved with similar opening, shaped iron shoe; 3 further examples with swollen leaf-shaped heads on wooden hafts; and another of hard wood, copper windings and a self-point (5). Maximum 174cms, the first 153cms with 51cm head including socket. Good condition
Naval Boarding Cutlass, apparently unmarked, first half of the 19th century, curved single edge blade cut with a single fuller, slightly dished iron guard pierced at top for a lanyard, one piece cast iron grip with segments in low relief, grip retains much original black paint, guard retains traces of the same. Blade 60.5cms. Good condition, guard and blade lightly pitted. PLEASE SEE AUCTION INFORMATION IN RELATION TO THE SHIPPING OF SWORDS AND BAYONETS BEFORE BIDDING.
A Fine Indian Mutiny Medal to an Ensign in the 43rd (Monmouthshire) Light Infantry, medal without clasp awarded to “ENSIGN G.H.B. YOUNG, 43RD LT INFY”, medal nicely toned with a period miniature medal which has a single defaced clasp attached.Gerald Henry Baird Young was born in Lyneham, Wiltshire in 1839. He became Ensign by purchase on 3rd April 1857. A no clasp medal is confirmed on the roll which also shows he was first engaged in action on 13th August 1858 at Chitriakroto, he retired from the Regiment on 29th March 1861 and is later gazetted as a Lieutenant in the Royal North Gloucestershire Regiment of Militia on 2nd June 1863. In his civilian life he is a Barrister and is recorded as dying on 25th October 1915 in Redcliffe Gardens, London.
WW2 1941 Withdrawal from Greece Distinguished Service Cross Medal Group of Six to a Lieutenant Commander Who Survived the Loss of the Destroyer HMS Hereward off the Coast of Crete and was Taken Prisoner of War by the Italian Forces, Distinguished Service Cross GVI, reverse officially dated 1941, Naval General Service medal 1915-62, GVI, with 2 clasps Palestine 1936-1939 and Minesweeping 1945-51, “LT CDR J.E. MAMMATT R.N.”, 1939-45 Star, Atlantic star, Africa star and War medal 1939-45. Medals mounted for wear. Also included with the lot is a copy photo of the recipient in Navy uniform and a leather case with the recipients initials in gilt on the top.Distinguished Service Cross – London Gazette 11th November 1941, For gallantry and distinguished services in operations in Greek waters.John Edward Mammatt, was born in March 1913. He was appointed a Midshipman in January 1931 and was serving as a Lieutenant in the destroyer HMS Hostile on the outbreak of hostilities in 1939. It was whilst serving with HMS Hostile that he saw extensive action off Norway and in the Mediterranean, right up until her mining and loss off Cape Bon on 23 August 1940. HMS Hostile arrived off Norway in March 1940, fresh from patrolling the South Atlantic, and was heavily engaged in the First Battle of Narvik in the following month, initially in a duel with the Roeder, which with HMS Hotspur she left ablaze, and latterly, alongside the HMS Havock, with the HMS Ravenfels, which was destroyed. That done, HMS Hostile escorted the battered HMS Hotspur to safety. The ship was then ordered to the Mediterranean, Serving in Mountbatten’s 5th Destroyer Flotilla, and was present when HMS Kelly was badly damaged by a torpedo on 9th May. Finally, in July, shortly before her demise off Cape Bon, she was present in the action fought off Calabria, known as the battle of Punta Stilo. Mammatt next joined the destroyer H.M.S. Hereward, and was subsequently present in her during the withdrawal from Greece, for which he was awarded his Distinguished Service Cross. HMS Hereward would finally fall victim to Stukas of 111/St.G.2 north of Plaka on 29 May 1941, during the evacuation of the island of Crete. David A. Thomas’ Crete 1941, The Battle at Sea, describes the event,“At 0625 when the force was in the middle of the [Kaso] Strait the Hereward on the port side of the screen came in for the next attack. The first few Stukas were evaded, but another, diving low, let go a stick of bombs, one of which exploded near her foremost funnel. She swung out of line, her speed crippled and she had 450 troops aboard. Admiral Rawlings was now faced with another grim choice, the second only in a few hours: whether to send another destroyer to assist Hereward or whether to abandon her to her fate. To detach another destroyer would invite almost certain destruction, for the main hope of salvation against these aircraft attacks lay in concentration. The fact that the coast of Crete lay only five miles away helped persuade Rawlings to leave the Hereward to her own devices. As the force continued on its way the Hereward was last seen heading slowly for the coast, her guns still engaging enemy aircraft. She was commanded by Lieutenant-Commander W. J. Minn, Cunningham’s Flag Lieutenant in the Hood.’’Hereward was abandoned two miles north of Plaka and all those on board who survived were taken prisoner - but for the intervention of an Italian Red Cross seaplane, which circled over the survivors as they came ashore, two Stukas intent on attacking them may well have increased her casualties. As it transpired, these were already of a dramatic nature, for having departed Heraklion earlier that day with 450 troops, and of course her own complement of around 150 officers and ratings, the Italian naval authorities could only muster a total 229 survivors by the time they issued an official statement. John Edward Mammatt, who was among those taken prisoner, was duly incarcerated in assorted Italian P.O.W. camps at Sulmona, Padula and Gavi, prior to being moved to a Stalag at Spittal in Austria in September 1943. From there he was transported to Stalag IV B at Muhlberg in Germany and thence to Marlag Und Milag Nord, at which latter camp he was liberated at the War’s end. Mammatt, who was advanced to Lieutenant-Commander with seniority from October 1944, received his Distinguished Service Cross at an investiture held on 11 December 1945. He continued to serve in the Royal Navy after the war and was involved in minesweeping operations.
An Attributed WW2 Merchant Navy Distinguished Service Cross Medal Group of Six, Awarded for Bravery on the Ammunition Ship Clan Ferguson During Operation Pedestal, Distinguished Service Cross GVI, reverse officially dated 1943 with hall marks for 1942, privately engraved across the centre of the cross, “2ND OFFR A.H. BLACK ‘CLAN FERGUSON’”, with 1939-45 star, Atlantic Star, Africa star, Burma star and War Medal 1939-45, all un-named as issued. Distinguished Service Cross – London Gazette 30th March 1943, For bravery during the passage of a convoy to Malta.Arthur Huntington Black was born in Burnley on 1st June 1908. He commenced his Merchant Navy career in February 1925 and started his 4-year apprenticeship with the Clan Line in July of the same year.His first war time appointment was as 2nd Mate on Clan Campbell on 17th February 1941. In July 1942 he joined Clan Ferguson as 2nd Mate for what would be a very eventful time as he found himself participating in one of the most important convoys of the war, Operation Pedestal.Operation Pedestal was a British operation to carry supplies to the island of Malta in August 1942. The convoy sailed from Britain on 3rd August 1942 and entered the Mediterranean on the night of 9th/10th August. The convoy comprised 50 ships of which there were 14 merchant vessels. Heavily attacked during the passage only 4 merchant ships, including the famous SS Ohio, managed to reach the Grand Harbour at Malta with over 500 sailors and airmen losing their lives during the course of the convoy.On the 14th August Clan Ferguson was hit by and aerial torpedo just off Zembra island and the resulting explosion was so colossal that all that witnessed it were convince that she had blown up without survivors. With the afterpart of the ship in flames she rapidly settled by the stern. Many of the lifeboats were set on fire but most of the crew got away on rafts with some using their steel helmets as paddles to get away from the burning fuel on the sea.Peter Smith, in his history, Pedestal: the Malta Convoy of August 1942 gives a graphic description of the attack from 2nd Officer A.H. Black:‘I could see the flames coming up from the engine-room skylight and the ship’s side. The hatch covers were blown off Number 4 Hold and 2 landing craft stowed on top were also blown off. Of the ship’s four lifeboats, Number 3 boat was destroyed and all the others, except Number 1 boat, caught fire. Three rafts were got away. There was a violent explosion in Number 5 Hold and the ship appeared to sink about seven minutes after being hit. The oil blazed on the water for 48-hours and petrol cans kept floating to the surface and catching fire as did the oil, causing thick black smoke. In all 64 men got away and were eventually equally divided on the 4 rafts which drifted apart.’Black was on 1 of these rafts and was picked up by the Italians and temporarily interned in Tunisia, returning to the UK later in the year he finished the war as 1st Mate of the Samdon. Post-war he continued his employment with the Clan Line until his early retirement at the age of 42 in 1951.
A Well-Documented WW2 Medal Group of Three to a member of 156th Battalion Parachute Regiment Army Air Corps, Killed During Operation Slapstick, the 1943 Allied Landings at Taranto, Italy, 1939-45 Star, Italy Star and War medal 1939-45, unnamed as issued, in cardboard box of issue addressed to Mrs M Murphy, 7 Tulip Street, Hackney Road, Bethnal Green, London. Also with Army condolence issue slip named to PTE. P.H. ELVIN. Lot also contains the following original documentation A.B.64 Army pay book, named to 7022653 Percy Henry Elvin, Notification of death, Killed in Action 11th September 1943, Letter from O.C. 156th Battalion The Parachute Regiment to the mother of Private Elvin advising he died during an attack on German positions when he was shot near the heart, Burial Notification, 18th February 1943, Burial notification letter 9th August 1944, Period photograph of the grave of Private Elvin, Letter regarding the issue of medals, 1st November 1949 and a Bakelite A.A.C. cap badge.Originally formed in the Middle East in 1941, 156th Battalion The Parachute Regiments first combat experience was during Operation Slapstick in Italy. Operation Slapstick was the code name given to the seaborne landings by the British forces at Taranto in September 1943. The landings were undertaken by airborne troops based in North Africa but due to the lack of transport aircraft they were unable to land in their traditional way.The initial landings were unopposed, and it was only as the forces moved in land that they encountered resistance from the German forces. By daybreak on the 10th September the Parachute brigade had reached the town of Massafra where they were welcomed by the population. The next town, Mottola, was still occupied by German forces and they put up stiff resistance to the assault by 156th Battalion, the Divisions first combat casualties resulted from this action. Within 48 hours of the landings the Airborne Divisions troops had reached and occupied Brindisi and Bari on the Adriatic coast with minimal opposition.Private Percy Henry Elvin was killed in action on 11th September 1943 and now rests in the Bari War Cemetery, Italy.
Historically Important Indian Mutiny Medal Awarded to a Captain in the Bengal Engineers who Served Under General Havelock During the First Relief and Second Defence of Lucknow, Was Wounded on the Day the Residency was Finally Relieved by Sir Colin Campbell and was Twice Mentioned in Despatches for his Services and was One of the Personalities of the Defence of Lucknow, medal with clasp Defence of Lucknow, “2ND CAPT. L. RUSSELL, EXEC. ENGR.”, remains in generally good condition. Lindsay Russell entered the Bengal Engineers in December 1847 and served as Brigade Major of Engineers during the Great Sepoy Mutiny. He is listed on the Roll of Officers and Staff of the Shahjehanpore Brigade as having been present at ‘all the actions leading to the reoccupation of Cawnpore and in the advance to Lucknow with General Havelock. Present at the Defence of Lucknow. Disabled by wound.’ The Siege of Lucknow, by Rutz Rees, gives the following account: ‘The Chief Engineer, Crommelin, meanwhile superintended the defensive works of the new palaces. With the miners placed at his disposal, he soon foiled most of the enemy’s mining operations, and sank shafts and began galleries in every direction. In carrying out these labours he owed much to the energy and courage of Lieutenant RusseII, his Major of Brigade. The enemy however could not be driven out of a portion of the palaces, which they had maintained possession of, after having exploded a mine. Colonel Napier, accompanied by Colonel Purnell and Moorsome, however reconnoitred the enemy’s position one dark night with perfect success, and Lieutenant Russell of the Engineers, was then directed to attempt to blow up the Mosque which the enemy had maintained. He was perfectly successful; a great number of the insurgents were blown into the air and we maintained a capital point from which to command the Khaz Bazaar.’ Wounded in action, Kaye and Malleson, in their History of the Indian Mutiny, state: ‘An open space, nearly half a mile in width, still intervened between the assailants and the advanced positions of Outram and Havelock. This space was exposed to a heavy musketry fire from the Kaisarbagh and could not be crossed without imminent risk. But the risk did not prevent the two gallant generals and their staff from crossing the space to meet the Commander-in-Chief. They started eight officers and one civilian. They were Outram, Havelock, Napier (now Lord Napier of Magdala), Vincent Eyre, young Havelock (now Sir Henry Havelock), Dodgson, the deputy Adjutant General, the aide-de-camp Sitwell, the engineer Russell, and the gallant Kavanagh. They had not gone many paces before they were seen by the enemy, and the musketry fire from the Kaiserbagh redoubled. Napier was struck down, young Havelock was struck down, Sitwell and Russell were struck down. Outram, Havelock, Eyre, Dodgson and Kavanagh alone reached the Moti Mahal uninjured. Then to borrow the appropriate language of Sir Colin Campbell, “The Relief of the Lucknow Garrison has been accomplished”.’ For his gallantry, Russell was twice Mentioned in Despatches by Sir Henry Havelock, firstly for his actions at the Battle of Futtehpore: ‘My orders were conveyed in the field boldly, actively and intelligently by my aide-de camp, Lieutenant Havelock, 10th Foot, and the following officers: Lieutenant Moreland, 1st Fusiliers; Lieutenant Moorsome, H.M.’s 52nd Light Infantry; Captain Sheehy, H.M.’s 81st Regiment; Captain Russell, Engineers; and Captain McBean’; and secondly for his gallantry during the Relief of Lucknow, in the last despatch written by Havelock prior to his death: ‘I must commend all the officers in charge of detachments, but most prominently Colonel Purnell, 90th Light Infantry, whose conduct throughout the affair evinced the most distinguished gallantry, united to imperturbable coolness and the soundest of judgement; as well as Lieutenants Russell, Hutchinson and Limond of the Engineers, and Captain Oakes (attached), who showed the way to several points of attack.’ Russell became one of the personalities of the second Defence of Lucknow and was wounded on the day that the Residency was finally relieved by Sir Colin Campbell. He features in the famous painting The Relief of Lucknow by Thomas Barker. Advanced to Colonel in March 1878, he retired on 11 May 1881, and was granted the honorary rank of Major-General. He died at his home in Folkestone, Kent, on 9 May 1904, aged 74.
Grouping of Hampshire Rifle Volunteer Tunic Buttons, including 5th Volunteer Battalion Hants Regiment I. W (Isle of Wight), Victorian Southampton Rifles, First Hants Rifle Volunteers officers, 2x Victorian 2nd Hampshire Rifle Volunteers, 3x 4th Hampshire Rifle Volunteers and a small type Hampshire Rifle Volunteers with strung bugle having Hampshire rose to the centre. All in good condition with fittings. (9 items)
WW1 Period Paperwork of Famous British Author Dennis Wheatley (1897-1977), including a tailors bill made out to Wheatley for the purchase of his uniform from T McBride and Sons of 62 Pall Mall, London. Printed leave pass made out in his own hand permitting a person to go into Warminster, signed by Wheatley and dated 25th October 1916. Other items include some un-used note paper of Royal Artillery and a printed programme for Presentation of Decorations by the King on 2nd June 1917 at Hyde Park.Wheatley was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the Royal Field Artillery during the First World War, receiving his basic training at Biscot Camp in Luton. He was assigned to the City of London Brigade and the 36th (Ulster) Division. Wheatley was gassed in a chlorine attack during the battle of Passchendaele and was invalided out of the army, having served in Flanders, on the Ypres Salient, and in France at Cambrai and Saint-Quentin.
Portuguese Steel Combat Helmet, interesting mild steel ribbed brodie style helmet which was produced during the first world war period but mostly used in the post war years. Green painted shell with Portuguese cross insignia to the front. Helmet is complete with its original leather sweatband and cloth lining. Complete with the original leather chinstrap. Heavily worn and some paint loss. The mild steel helmets were often favoured by high ranking British officers during WW1 who were mostly stationed behind the front line. At the late stage of WW1 and into early post war years, these helmets were exported and used by the Portuguese army and civil defence.
Historically Important Royal Navy Peaked Cap of Admiral of the Fleet The Right Honourable Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, the cap is a ribbed white top WW2 period peaked cap with fine quality bullion embroidered kings crown cap badge to the black mohair cap band. Bullion embroidered double row of oakleaves to the peak. Patent chinstrap and plain side buttons. Interior of the cap has brown leather sweatband and blue cloth lining with a Gieves tailors label which has an embroidered name tape, “MOUNTBATTEN OF BURMA”. The cap shows service wear but is generally still a good example. Accompanying the peaked cap is the original submission slip for entry into Wallis & Wallis auctioneers on 28th April 1987 and a typed document detailing the entry from a Mr Philip Baker. The document states that this said cap had been purchased some 10 years earlier from the same auction house. Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (25 June 1900 – 27 August 1979) was a British naval officer, colonial administrator and close relative of the British royal family. Mountbatten, who was of German descent, was born in England to the prominent Battenberg family and was a maternal uncle of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and a second cousin of King George VI. He joined the Royal Navy during the WW1 and was appointed Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia Command, in WW2. He later served as the last imperial Viceroy of India and briefly as the first Governor-General of the Dominion of India.Mountbatten attended the Royal Naval College, Osborne, before entering the Royal Navy in 1916. He saw action during the closing phase of WW1 and after the war briefly attended Christ's College, Cambridge. During the interwar period, Mountbatten continued to pursue his naval career, specialising in naval communications.Following the outbreak of the Second World War, Mountbatten commanded the destroyer HMS Kelly and the 5th Destroyer Flotilla. He saw considerable action in Norway, in the English Channel, and in the Mediterranean. In August 1941, he received command of the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious. He was appointed chief of Combined Operations and a member of the Chiefs of Staff Committee in early 1942, and organised the raids on St Nazaire and Dieppe. In August 1943, Mountbatten became Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Command and oversaw the recapture of Burma and Singapore from the Japanese by the end of 1945. For his service during the war, Mountbatten was created viscount in 1946 and earl the following year.In March 1947, Mountbatten was appointed Viceroy of India and oversaw the Partition of India into India and Pakistan. He then served as the first Governor-General of India until June 1948. In 1952, Mountbatten was appointed commander-in-chief of the British Mediterranean Fleet and NATO Commander Allied Forces Mediterranean. From 1955 to 1959, he was First Sea Lord, a position that had been held by his father, Prince Louis of Battenberg, some forty years earlier. Thereafter he served as chief of the Defence Staff until 1965, making him the longest-serving professional head of the British Armed Forces to date. During this period Mountbatten also served as chairman of the NATO Military Committee for a year.In August 1979, Mountbatten was assassinated by a bomb planted aboard his fishing boat in Mullaghmore, County Sligo, Ireland, by members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army. He received a ceremonial funeral at Westminster Abbey and was buried in Romsey Abbey in Hampshire.
17th Lancers Troopers Short Tailed Jacket, navy blue cloth with white cloth collar, cuffs and plastron. Twenty small size white metal buttons are present (closed backs) and display the skull resting on the crossed bones. Quilted lining in good condition. The garment was probably produced for the first performance of ‘Ruddigore’, the operetta by Gilbert & Sullivan, some slight moth damage, sold as viewed and on this basis, not subject to return,
Scarce New Zealand Issue Webbing Bayonet Frog, made by MECO (Mills Equipment Company) dated 1913 and with NZ either side of a broad arrow acceptance mark. Very good overall condition. Before the First World War the Mills Equipment Company produced its ‘back adjusting’ equipment which was offered to many countries, mainly in Europe and the Empire. It was a forerunner of what became the 1937 equipment, but its adoption was limited by the outbreak of war.
A Poignant WW2 Isle of Wight Air Raid Precautions M.B.E. and Great War Military Medal Group of Seven, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire M.B.E. (civil) Members 2nd type breast badge, unnamed as issued, Military medal GV, “21302 PTE. A SJT:- S.F. BURCHILL 1/D OF CORN: L.I.”, 1914-15 Star medal, “21302 PTE. S.F. BURCHELL D OF CORN: L.I.”, British War and Victory medals, “21302 A. SJT. S.F. BURCHELL D OF CORN. L.I.”, Defence medal 1939-45, Coronation medal 1953 (last 2 unnamed as issued). Also includes an 11th Division Military Medal Gallantry Card dated 28th June 1918, issued to 21302 L.Cpl (A/Sgt) S. Burchall D.C.L.I. for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. (note different spellings of surname). Group mounted as worn on pin.Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent order of the British Empire, London Gazette 4th January 1943 – Sidney Frank Burchell, Esq., M.M. Air Raid Precautions Officer, Cowes.Military medal, London Gazette 24th January 1919 – Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, 21302 Pte. (A./Sjt) Burchill, S.F. 1st Bn. (Westgate-on-Sea). Sidney Frank Burchell was born in Ham, Kent in 1895. In 1911, 16 year old Sidney was working as a Shop Assistant in Wandsworth. During the Great War he enlisted into the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry serving with the 1st Battalion and later the 6th Battalion. He was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry and devotion to duty, on the 28th June when the Battalion launched an attack on the German positions at L’Epinette where they captured 1 Officer and 30 Other Ranks along with other equipment. He was discharged on 12th August 1919 with a Silver War Badge due to the effects of wounds (not with lot).During the Second World War he was living in Cowes on the Isle of Wight and in 1938 he enrolled in the Air Raid Precautions Organisation in the Civil Defence Service. Appointed as ARP Officer for Cowes in October 1939 he was on duty on the night of the 4th /5th May 1942 when the Luftwaffe attacked Cowes. The recommendation for his award gives more detail on the sad events of that fateful night.Very early in the first raid at Cowes, Mr Burchell, who was on duty as District A.R.P. Officer in charge of his Report Centre ant Northwood House, Cowes, was informed rather abruptly that the house in the neighbour hood of the Report Centre in which were his wife, his son aged 3 years and his father-in-law and mother-in-law had been struck and that all the occupants of the house had been buried and were feared dead. Actually his infant son, injured though he was in the head, was the only survivor. Mr. Burchell did not leave his post but continued on duty throughout the night, the following day and the night after.This event was well known on the Island at the time and Captain Peter MacDonald, Member of Parliament for the Isle of Wight, suggested that he should be awarded the George Medal, this was not approved as it was not considered a gallantry matter and he was recommended for the award of the British Empire medal but this was upgraded to an M.B.E.Sidney Frank Burchell continued living on the Isle of Wight after the war and died in Cowes on 1st November 1963.
A Fine Great War Military Medal Group of Three 19th (Service) Battalion (2nd County) Durham Light Infantry, Military Medal, GV, “43238 CPL-A.SJT W. TORDOFF 19/DURH L.I.”, British War and Victory medals, “43238 A.SJT W. TORDOFF DURH. L.I.”Military medal, London Gazette No.63 (17th June 1919) – 43238 Cpl (A/Sjt.) Tordoff, W., 19th Bn. (Leeds).The 19th Battalion was originally formed on 13th January 1915 as a Bantam Battalion. The date of the Gazette for the Military medal would indicate that it is an ‘Advance to Victory’ award for October 1918. The Battalion were heavily engaged during the month including the crossing of the Lys and being the first British troops to enter Courtrai on 19th October, they had 41 Other Ranks being killed, 278 wounded and 52 missing. A nice military medal group to a Pals Battalion
WW1 Battlefield Recovered Trench Body Armour Set (Sappenpanzer) and Steel Hemet with Brow Plate (Stirnpanzer), good example of a 2nd type 1st pattern trench armour with the low neck section, complete with three lower plates, these have been attached to the main breast shield with replacement cloth straps. The two lower plates are miss-matched to the breast plate and first lower plate, indicating probably originally from another trench armour set. Heavily rusted and pitted but still in a preserved state. Armour accompanied by a relic ground dug German M-16 helmet and an original ground dug stirnpanzer brow plate, both are heavily rusted and pitted. Both helmet and plate have been preserved. Overall a good displayable battlefield relic. The set which has come from multiple finds on the Western Front but we believe complement each other.
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