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Click here to subscribeWW2 Japanese Infantry Field Cap, late war ersatz cloth field cap with yellow felt Imperial Japanese army star to the front. Green chinstrap fitted to the front of the cap. Interior with the original brown sweatband. Cap shows some service wear and light areas of damage to the sweatband due to the fragile nature of its construction.
Victorian Royal Jersey Light Infantry Militia Officers Full Dress Tunic, fine example of a scarlet cloth tunic with black facings to the collar and cuffs. Gold brocade tress to the collar and bullion work to the cuffs. Victorian crowned collar badges and officers tunic buttons in the form of lion over crown. Interior with quilted officers quality lining. Some wear and a couple of minor areas of moth nips, but to be expected due to the age of the tunic.
Post 1902 Royal Warwickshire Regiment Officers Full Dress Tunic, fine example of a scarlet cloth tunic with black facings to the collar and cuffs. Officers silvered regimental collar badges and brocade tress to the collar. Knotted cord shoulder straps and bullion work to the cuffs. To one arm is a black memorial armband worn after the passing of Queen Victoria or Edward VII. Fine officers quality quilted lining to the interior. Tunic shows some light service wear but is generally still a good example.
Kings Bodyguard of Scotland Royal Company of Archers Full Uniform, Headdress and Sword Grouping Contained in the Original Metal Storage Trunk Belonging to A A Lawrie, the grouping consists of the long pattern green cloth tunic with gauntlet cuffs and shoulder wings. Trimmed with black braid and crimson velvet, four bars of black braid across the chest, showing a light crimson velvet. Black braid and crimson velvet also to the collar. Crimson silk shoulder cords with gilt metal button. Fine quality sash with large badge in fine gilt metal to the centre and a lower sash badge in gilt and enamel retaining nearly all the original fire gilt finish. Royal Company of Archers cape in green cloth with collar. Bands to the inside to fasten the cape down. Cape lined at the shoulders with green Italian cloth. Gilt metal special pattern cape chains and large gilt metal buttons. Full dress bonnet in green cloth with black braid trim. Crimson tuft to the top. White and green silk cockades with fine gilt metal bonnet badge which retain nearly all of the original fire gilt wash finish. Complete with the original feathers. Black leather belt with sword frog and gilt metal Royal crest plate, the circlet inscribed “Kings Bodyguard for Scotland”. Parade pattern short sword made retailed by J Stewart & Son Edinburgh, ornate gilt metal hilt, acid etched blade with GRV cipher. Much of the original polish remains to the blade. Housed in the original leather and brass mounted scabbard. All housed in the original metal transit trunk with brass name plate engraved “A A Lawrie”. A truly fantastic condition set which shows very minimal wear. Ex Bennett collection. Please note we are not able to offer in house post and packing on this item due to weight and size.
Scarce British WW2 D-Day Landings British Full Battle Assault Jerkin, of brown canvas cloth with Bren gun pouches to the front, side pouches, fixed large pack to the reverse and lower pouch to the reverse. Complete with the original webbing and toggle straps. Stamped inside SMALL and SOFT KIT with broad arrow WD stamp, makers mark unclear and remains of 1943 date. Overall remains in very good condition, showing just light wear. Also named to the interior top, “G.WYVER”.
WW1 Photograph Frame Made From the Aluminium from Crashed German Zeppelin L-21 Shot Down in the Thames Estuary 27th November 1916, fine picture frame in typical WW1 style with aluminium covering to the front and engraved to the top “L21”. Black and white photograph of RFC private in maternity pattern tunic. Reverse of the frame with wood backing and a typed label giving details of the Zeppelin. L-21 was the identification number for the German naval airship LZ 21, the ship flew 10 raids on England and 17 reconnaissance missions. The ship was shot down by Major Sir Egbert Cadbury DSC DFC JP DL, from the famous Cadbury Chocolate family. An account of the action in which he shot down the airship is as follows, “I saw the Zeppelin approaching the coast and immediately chased after it. It was flying about 5,000 feet when I first saw it and it immediately climbed to 8,000 feet. I went after it. I approached from the stern about 3,000 feet below and fired four drums of explosive ammunition into its stern, which immediately started to light. At the same time one of the other pilots was flying over the Zeppelin and to his horror he saw a man in the machine-gun pit run to the other side and leap overboard. Having seen the Zeppelin circle down to the sea in a blazing mass – a most horrible sight – I went back to Yarmouth. I could not say I felt very elated or pleased at this; somehow I was overawed at the spectacle of this Zeppelin and all the people aboard going down into the sea”.
Imperial German Bavarian 8th Infantry Regiment Grosherzog Friedrich II von Baden 10.Company Metz 1907/09, fine example of a porcelain 0,5 litre stein with pewter top having relief of foliage, figure of a German soldier wearing pickelhaube standing next to a lion to the top and Bavarian lion figure and shield. Stein is decorated with various scenes of military interest, central image of Prince Luitpold of Bavarian and Friedrich II of Baden. Regimental details to the top section. Inside has image of Bavarian soldier and maiden, this can be seen when held up to light. Remains in generally good condition and appears to be in un-damaged condition but personal viewing is advised.
Imperial German Bavarian 3rd Chevauleger Regiment Herzog Karl Theodor 5th Squadron, fine example of a porcelain 0,5 litre stein with pewter top having relief of foliage, Iron Crosses, figure of a German cavalryman on horseback to the top and Bavarian lion figure and shield. Stein is decorated with various scenes of military interest, central image of Oberst Grundherr. Regimental details to the top section. Inside has image of Karl Theodor, Duke of Bavaria, this can be seen when held up to light. Remains in generally good condition and appears to be in un-damaged condition but personal viewing is advised. Accompanied by a pre-WW1 CDV photograph.
WW1 Prussian 1916 Jager Zu Pferde Enlisted Ranks Pickelhaube / Helmet, blued steel body helmet with the regulations field grey other ranks helmet plate to the centre. Grey metal fixed spike and cross base. Leather enlisted ranks chinstrap with the later small pattern Reichs and Prussian state cockades. Rear lobster tail peak with plane rivets. Green painted finish to the underside of the peak and blackened finish to the underside of the rear peak. Helmet is complete with its original leather liner, this shows some wear and parts missing. Makers details to the inside of C E JUNCKER and 1916 date. Overall the helmet remains in very good condition showing just light wear.
Pair of Pre-Third Reich Period Regimental Trumpet Banners for the 1st (Prussian) Battalion 18th Infantry Regiment, super untouched pair of trumpet banners both produced in a fine blue silk cloth with Imperial style white diagonal sections leading to the central black chain stitched eagle within a bullion wire wreath. Gold tassel fringing to three sides of the banners and leather trim to the top with leather securing straps. The reverse sides of the flags differ in style, both in white silk cloth, first with six chain stitched shields having emblems and details of various Imperial German regiments which amalgamated into 18th Infantry regiment, in gold bullion wire embroidery is “I.(βreuß.) Batl. 18. Inftr. Regiment”, the second has a central shield which is chain stitched and scroll below within laurel wreath “Inf.Reg. GrafBarfuβ (4.Westf.) no.17”, also bullion embroidered “1. Kompanie I.(βreuß.) Batl. 18. Inftr. Regiment”. Both show light wear with a couple of small moth nip holes to one and a slight stain to the other but generally both are very good condition. Both were liberated by a British serviceman when stationed in Germany at the end of WW2. These trumpet banners were probably used in the Reichswehr period and into the early stages of the Third Reich era. (2 items)
Imperial Russian Tsar Nicholas II Period Dragoon Shasqua with Damascus Blade, Used by a Don Cossack Officer Serving with the German Armed Forces During WW2, superb example of a Imperial Russian dragoon pattern sword shasqua with gilt metal knuckle guard having fine relief of foliage leaves, top pommel with floral figure and the back strap with the cipher of Tsar Nicholas II. Blackened grip and brass mounts. Housed in its original black leather covered and gilt brass mounted scabbard with single hanging ring on the correct side of the scabbard for this pattern of sword. Applied to the top section of the scabbard is an original German army helmet decal, which would indicate that the sword was possibly carried by a member of the Don Cossack cavalry division which served with the German armed forces or placed on the sword when captured during operation Barbarossa. The curved blade dates from the early 20th century period and has fullers to the centre. Blade with Damascus pattern the full length of the blade. One side of the blade is etched with the cipher of Tsar Nicholas II and the other side has the Imperial Russian eagle emblem. Blade made by WKC and has its early trade mark, other side “F. FICHTE SOLINGEN”. Some light staining to the blade and some small nicks out on the edge. Overall a superb example of a very desirable pattern Imperial Russian sword with a high quality blade. Would have been carried by a Russian Cossack of significant rank.
Scarce Early Kriegsmarine Imperial German Navy Conversion Officers Dress Dagger, fine untouched example of a very early WW2 German naval officers dress dagger which has been a conversion from the original owners Imperial naval dagger. The dagger with eagle top on a ivory grip with wire binding and Kriegsmarine type bullion dress knot. Early Imperial style cross guard with press stud release button. Fine deluxe hammered scabbard with roped hanging rings fittings. Plain un-marked blade with two central fullers. Some light surface staining to the blade but generally a good example. Blade 24 ½ cms, overall 42cms. The early Kriegsmarine officers were often veterans of the Imperial navy, many of these officers converted their Imperial dirks to that of the Kriegsmarine by removing the Imperial crown and replacing with the eagle and swastika. These early conversions are not easy to find.
Luftwaffe Officers Sword by E & F Horster Solingen, fine example of a nickel silver officers dress sword complete with the disc pommel with gilt sun dial type swastika to both sides. Blue leather covered grip with wire binding, cross guard in the form of eagle feathers with sun dial mobile swastikas to the centre of each side. Housed in its blue leather scabbard with nickel silver fittings and two hanging rings. Near mint condition polished straight blade with acceptance stamp and makers trade mark of E & F Horster, Solingen. Blade 69cms, overall 91 ½ cms. Some light scuffs to the leather but generally a good example.
Third Reich Students (N.P.E.A) Dress Dagger by Karl Burgsmuller, standard students example having wooden grip without any device emblems, nickel silver grip mounts with the lower chape being stamped “P407”. Housed in olive green painted scabbard with bayonet frog fitting to the front. Double edged blade with motto “Mehr sein als schwinen”, reverse of the blade has makers mark of Karl Burgsmuller Charlottenburg 5 Berlin. Some light areas of staining to the blade and repair to the grip. Accompanied by a German leather bayonet frog. We are of the opinion that the scabbard is a later replacement.
Candleholders and Gimbals Removed from Adolf Hitler’s Personal Yacht Aviso Grille by Richard Thomas Smith Royal Navy in 1945, pair of uncleaned heavy steel candlesticks with one having the remains of a candle still in place. Unscrew from the base to reveal a coiled spring inside. Accompanied by a matching pair of Gimbals in the same design as the candlesticks. Accompanying the items is a typed statement with the following details, “The vendor purchased these items from a gentleman in Newmarket. He had them in his garden shed for over 20 years and they are in an original and uncleaned condition. They were recovered from the Grille by his grandfather Richard Thomas Smith R.N. NO LT/KK 106756 who resided in Lowestoft. He was discharged from service on the 30th August 1945. Mr Smith has been selected to bring back the Grille from Norway to Britain (Hartlepool) because of his expertise with steam engines. This was his last job in the RN before returning to civilian life and recommencing his lifetime occupation as a fisherman in Lowestoft. Previously Richard had served on a Minesweeper that was torpedoed by a UBoat. Richard’s ship was severely damaged but did not sink and Richard sustained severe burns which hospitalised him for a year. He received a gallantry award for helping to save two men in the engine room but declined the award. Richard was an acting Chief Petty Officer, 1909-1985.” Grille was an aviso built in Nazi Germany for the Kriegsmarine in the mid-1930’s for use as a state yacht by Adolf Hitler and other leading individuals of the Third Reich. The ship received a light armament of three 12.7-centimeter (5 in) guns and was fitted to be capable of serving as an auxiliary minelayer. Completed in 1935, her experimental high-pressure steam turbines, which were installed to test them before they were used in destroyers, required significant modifications and the ship finally entered service in 1937. Over the next two years, she was used in a variety of roles, including as a training vessel and a target ship, in addition to her duties as a yacht. After the start of WW2 in September 1939, Grille was used as a minelayer and as a patrol vessel in the Baltic Sea, tasked with searching for enemy merchant vessels. She collided with a German transport ship in January 1940 and after repairs, resumed minelaying duties in the North Sea, thereafter being used as a gunnery training ship. She was briefly assigned to the minelaying unit tasked with supporting Operation Sea Lion in September before the planned invasion of Britain was cancelled, and she was reassigned to the Baltic during Operation Barbarossa in June 1941. Gunnery training duties followed from August 1941 until March 1942, when she was reduced to a headquarters ship for the commander of naval forces based in occupied Norway; she served in this capacity for the rest of the war. She was seized by British forces as war reparations in 1945.
Rare Third Reich SS Honour Ring (SS-Ehrenring / Totenkopfring), very fine example of the extremely rare award personally bestowed on the recipient by the leader of the Third Reich Schutzstaffel, better known as the SS, Heinrich Himmler. The ring of silver with Totenkopf skull to the centre and the band decorated with various runic symbols between oakleaves. The ring is engraved to the inside with the recipients name, “s.lb. Strutz” the date 20.4.37 and the signature of Heinrich Himmler. The ring remains in very good overall condition showing just very light wear and evidence of polishing when looked under a glass. This ring was given to the vendors mother Janette Diefendorf by an American serviceman. Her mother served with the Clubmobile Group of the American Red Cross, an American from Greenwich, Connecticut with German ancestry. The vendor has provided copies of newspaper cuttings which feature her mother and detail her wartime service which took her from New York to Northern Ireland and then onto mainland Europe, landing in France in July 1944 and following the American 1st Army through France, Belgium (Ardennes offensive) and into Germany. It was whilst stationed in Germany she believes her mother was given this ring. The SS honour ring was not something that could be bought, it had to be personally awarded and as such was very highly regarded and used as a symbolic item of SS ideology. In 1938, Himmler ordered the return of all rings of dead SS men and officers to be stored in a chest in Wewelsburg Castle. This was to be a memorial to symbolize the ongoing membership of the deceased in the SS order. In October 1944, Himmler ordered that further manufacture and awards of the ring were to be halted. Himmler then ordered that all the remaining rings, approximately 11,500, be blast-sealed inside a hill near Wewelsburg. By January 1945, 64% of the 14,500 rings made had been returned to Himmler after the deaths of the "holders". In addition, 10% had been lost on the battlefield and 26% were either kept by the holder or their whereabouts were unknown.
Third Reich RAD (Labour Service) Officers Cap with Lower Saxony District Tradition Badge, superb example of a private purchase RAD officers cap, known as the “Robin Hood” cap. Brown wool body with dark brown central band, officers silver bullion wire piping to the body and a single row to the peak. Complete with the officers bullion embroidered RAD insignia and to the side is the metal tradition badge for Lower Saxony district. Light tan leather sweatband to the interior with beautiful artificial cream silk lining having a gilt leaf tailors details and emblem. The cap shows just minimal service wear and is generally a superb example which would be near on impossible to upgrade on.
Third Reich SA (Sturmabteilung) Gau Westfalen Kepi, light tan coloured kepi with crimson felt top section, single silvered pebbled button and kepi style chinstrap. Interior with thin brown leather sweatband. Silver tooled retailers details to the crown of the cap and large RZM label to the interior. Shows some wear but generally a good example.
Third Reich Hitler Youth Summer Pattern Overseas / Side Cap, light tan cloth cap with red piping to the curtain and Hitler Youth bevo cap diamond to the centre. Cap with tan leather sweatband, golden cloth lining and RZM label to the underside of the sweatband. Accompanied by some old European banknotes and coinage including Third Reich period. The vendor was gifted this item along with some other items when he stayed with a German family whilst on a exchange trip to Germany. The family he was staying with at the time did not have a son and the father of the household would have been too old to have served in the Hitler Youth, so can only assume that the original owner possibly died during the war, maybe once called up into the armed forces when he was old enough. A letter stating these details accompanies the cap.
Third Reich Hitler Youth Peaked Cap, good used example of the peaked cap issued to the Hitler Youth, light tan cloth cap with red piping to the crown. Early style NSDAP short winged cap eagle and enamelled HJ diamond insignia to the centre band. Patent chinstrap with plain side buttons and soft black leather peak. Interior of the cap retains the remains of the sweatband, orange cloth lining with makers celluloid diamond. Cap shows some wear and couple of areas of moth damage to the piping but still a good example of a hard to find peaked cap.
WW2 German Artillery Officers Triple Erel Peaked Cap, good example of a high form officers peaked cap in the fine doeskin wool material associated with the premier cap maker of Erel. Red piping to the crown and bordering the central bottle green band. The cap retains its original officers frosted silver cap eagle and special pattern cockade with the Erel patented vented cockade. Officers chin cords supported by side buttons. Fine black patent peak with cross hatching to the underside. Interior of the peaked cap has the original tan leather sweatband with the perforated forehead section and the silver tooled Erel makers details. Interior of the cap has fine yellow artificial silk lining with the tailors diamond inside for Erel and the very rare to find original paper label for the Erel maker, making this cap a triple Erel as it is known in collectors circles. The cap is probably an un-issued example as it shows no service wear. Sadly the cap does have some moth tracking and light areas of repair but still a very good example. Peaked caps with the original Erel paper label to the interior are extremely rare to find, especially for a combat branch of service.
WW2 German Infantry Officers Peaked Cap, mid to late war period officers peaked cap with bullion embroidered officers cap eagle and wreathed cockade. White piping to the crown and bordering the bottle green central band. Officers chincords attached. Interior with light cloth lining and leather sweatband. Cap shows wear and fading to the body of the cap.
Rare WW2 German Nebelwerfer (Rocket Troops) NCO’s Peaked Cap, fine example produced in a fine wool material with Bordeaux red piping to the crown and bordering the central bottle green band. Complete with later war zinc cap eagle and cockade insignia. NCO’s pattern chinstrap with plain black side buttons. Interior with green fibre sweatband, green cloth lining and celluloid tailors diamond by Pekuro with the black velvet edging to the sweatband which is a feature of this maker. The cap shows light service wear but generally still very good condition. One of the rarest branches of service to find.
Rare Variation of 1st Pattern German Tropical Pith Helmet, fine example of a 1st pattern pith helmet but with the much harder to find olive green canvas cloth covering to the body of the helmet. Light tan leather trim and chinstrap fitted to the helmet. Pair of Afrika Korps dust goggles to the helmet. Fitted to the helmet are metal helmet decals for the Waffen-SS, including rune shield and party decal shield, these are possibly later applied. Interior of the helmet with tan leather sweatband and red cotton cloth lining. These olive green canvas examples are much harder to find than the standard 1st pattern helmets.
Third Reich Cavalry NCO’s Walking Out Parade Tunic with Private Purchase Afrikakorps Cuff Title, superb example of an early war parade pattern walking out tunic with golden yellow piping to the front. Dark green collar with NCO’s tress and golden yellow backed collar patches. NCO’s shoulder boards with golden yellow piping, NCO’s tress and aluminium ciphers with two rank pips. Original NCO’s pattern flat wire eagle. To the lower cuff is a very unusual and superb quality private purchase Afrikakorps cuff title with thick embroidered letters on bottle green backing and golden braid piping to border. Early style slash pockets and scalloped top pockets having various award loops. Nicely lined interior in the traditional style with internal fastening attachments. Some light moth nips but generally a very good example with a very desirable piece of insignia which is possibly unique. A must for any insignia or Afrika Korps collector.
WW2 German Luftwaffe Flying Suit Trousers, good set of the blue grey suede canvas flying trousers with sheepskin lining. Complete with its often missing flare pistol pouch to the leg. Pockets, pop studs and zips complete and all appear to be in working order. Some steins and light areas of repair but generally a good condition original pair.
Selection of Books of Medal Collecting & Research Interest, consisting of “Africa General Service Medals” by Magor, “White Russian Awards” by Brough, “Ashanti 1895-96” by McInnes and Fraser, “Honour the Light Brigade” by Lummins and Wynn, “The South Africa 1853 Medal” by Everson, “The New Zealand Medal to Colonials” by Stowers, “Soudan Contingent 1885 NSW – Revised Edition” by Clark, “Army Officers Awards Napoleonic Period” by Arms & Armour Press, “Korea 1950-1953 Prisoners of War The British Army” by Gaston and “The Daily Telegraph Roll of Honour for Northern Ireland 1971-2000”. All generally good condition.
Third Reich SA / SS-VT Tornister (Backpack), untouched example of the grey cloth backpack with pony fur backing. Interior of the pack retains the original cloth RZM label. Rear of the pack has the original leather shoulder straps with RZM stamping to the top section. Shows some light wear but generally a very good example of an early piece of German Third Reich equipment.
British 1821 Pattern Light Cavalry Sword, regulation pattern with steel three bar hilt, leading to steeped pommel and plain back strap. Wire bound fish skin grip. Housed in its steel scabbard with two hanging rings. Slightly curved pipe backed blade. No markings to the blade. The blade measures 90 ¼ cms, overall 106 ½ cms. Exterior with surface rusting.
George V 1897 Pattern Infantry Officers Sword, good example of a regulation pattern officers sword with George V cipher to the guard. Leather bound grip with wire binding. Housed in its brown leather field service scabbard with the original leather sword frog in place. Attached to the sword is the original leather sword knot. Regulation blade with etched decoration and crowned GRV monogram. Some light staining to the blade. The blade measures 82 ½ cms, overall 103cms.
WW1 Period 1908 Pattern Cavalry Troopers Sword, good untouched example of a regulation pattern sword with the large solid dish knuckle guard, one piece grip with crosshatch pattern. Housed in its steel scabbard with two fixed hanging rings. Regulation blade with issue markings to the base of the blade. The blade measures 88cms, overall 111cms. Some light surface pitting to the exterior fittings but generally a good example of the iconic cavalry sword as carried and used in the early cavalry charges in the Great War.
WW2 Japanese Naval Officers Dirk, with brass mounted hilt, shallow “S” shaped cross guard, floral pommel top, fish skin grip with floral stud. Housed in its original scabbard having press stud release button, floral brass mounts and two suspension rings. Blade with some light staining and pitting towards the tip. Blade measures 25cms, overall 40cms.
WW2 British Fairbairn Sykes (F.S) Commando Knife, interesting example of a 3rd pattern type dagger with blackened copper ringed grip and plain dish top. Large oval plain un-marked cross guard. Well worn double edged stiletto blade with medial ridge. Housed in a light brown leather scabbard with stud fittings. The blade measures 16 ¼ cms, overall 30 ¾ cms.
An Interesting Royal Humane Society Medal in Silver Awarded to John Dodd Who Was Also Awarded a First Class Albert Medal (for saving life at sea) For The Same Incident in Hong Kong 1871, Royal Humane Society, small silver medal (successful) edge engraved “JOHN DODD 9TH AUGUST 1871”, complete with top suspension buckle and case of issue. Albert Medal, London Gazette 29 October 1872 (in a joint citation with Mr. Augustus Raymond Margary, Assistant in Her Majesty’s Consular Service in China): ‘During the raging of a very violent typhoon, which burst over the north coast of Formosa on the 9th August 1871, the schooner Anne of Hong Kong, and the French barque Adèle were amongst the vessels blown from their anchorage and driven on the rocky shore of Ke-lung Harbour. The night was very dark, with a blinding rain, and great quantities of wreckage were floating in the water and being washed ashore in the surf; but, by the aid of a brilliant light of burning camphor, the position of the ships was made out from the shore. Mr. Augusts Raymond Margary, Assistant in Her Majesty’s Consular Service in China, and Mr. John Dodd, a British Merchant, at Ke-lung, had a rope fastened to their bodies and went into the surf with a view to siding the crew of the schooner Anne, of Hong Kong, the nearest ship that could be discerned. Aiding each other, they waded and then swam a distance of some thirty or forty yards through the surf. The rope proved to be too short, and they were compelled to either throw it away or return to the shore. They threw the rope off and reached the ship by swimming. They then tried to reach the shore with a rope from the ship, and after making an unsuccessful effort to do this, they persuaded two volunteers to lower a small boat, which was done with great difficulty, in which Messrs Margary and Dodd tried to row back with a rope. Their efforts were frustrated. The boat was turned completely over and Mr. Margary was for a few moments underneath it. They were, however, thrown on shore with fortunately but few bruises. The ship was rocking violently from side to side when they left her, but seemed to sustain no damage, and by the advice of the Captain, who appeared confident then of the strength of his ship, they desisted from further efforts, as there were more distressing cases calling for attention further off. Timber was strewn on the beach and was beating against the rocks in such a way that little hope could be entertained of any living thing yet remaining; but an occasional wail of the sufferers in the sea induced Messrs Margary and Dodd to persevere for several hours. They then with difficulty, effort, and danger, and in the dark, crawled over sandstone rocks of a peculiarly rugged nature, amidst breakers and wreck, until they arrived to within a short distance of the remains of the French ship Adèle, and by swimming they were able to make a connection with her by rope to the shore. Mr. Dodd swam to seize the buoy which the Frenchmen threw over, while Mr. Margary swam to meet him with the shore rope. They joined the two and immediately gained the deck, which was by this time shattered. With the aid of the rope the greater part of the crew passed safely to shore, when Mr. Dodd and Mr. Margary discovered the boatswain lying half under water, with his leg completely broken above the ankle. They raised him and carried him on shore by swimming. They then made repeated efforts to cross the broken back of the ship, to save four men who remained cut off in the bows. These men were helplessly frightened and could scarcely be got down. Messrs Margary and Dodd in the end succeeded, but were both washed down by a heavy sea, which caused much injury to Mr. Dodd. The last thing which left the ship was a black cat, which clung to Mr. Margary’s shoulder in spite of the heavy surf which was rolling all over, and when they left the ship she was actually breaking up beneath their feet.” Information with this lot, citing an unspecified local paper of the time, indicates the ‘we understand that the French Consul has written to his Government in most (deservedly) flattering terms of Mr Dodd’s bravery; and that gentleman will, we hope, receive some recognition of his successful and humane efforts.’It is understood that as these were the days before the Entente Cordiale, Queen Victoria awarded Mr Dodd the Albert medal in Gold rather than he receive an award from the French (although this cannot be proven!) Albert medal sold DNW 5th December 2018 (Hammer £17,000).
patinated wrought iron with hammered and patinated copper shades and brass ceiling hook100cm diameter, 175cm highFootnote: Provenance: Property from an Important Private CollectionLiterature: Ashbee, C.R. Suggestions for Light Fittings Art Journal, 1895 V&A Accession number M.60-2000See Guild of Handicraft Trade Catalogue, circa 1900, p.58, where a similar wrought-iron ceiling light is illustratedNote: The openwork construction of this impressive light, the pendant fittings and the distinctive arrangement of electric wires are characteristic of Ashbee's work in the then relatively new medium of lighting for electricity. Ashbee, in his paper Suggestions for Light Fittings of 1895 was particularly interested to note that light from electricity fell instead of rose, as with candles and gas lighting. Many of his fittings employ the use of cowled reflectors which further direct the light downwards. He went on to state that “I prefer rest in a design and feel disturbed when three naked bronze children come rushing over the table with forty-eight candle-power hands full”. In the Art Journal article, Ashbee described a chandelier which he designed for the drawing-room of his house, the Magpie and Stump at 37 Cheyne Walk, as "a rather elaborate arrangement of a nine-pendant rose.... Here, almost the whole effect of the design is got in the manipulation of the cords, and - a little detail in light designing that is so often forgotten - their arrangement is such as to cast pleasing and broken shadows on the ceiling. The nine-pendant circular rose in question spins a sort of grand spider-web upon white plaster."
A LATE 19TH CENTURY FRENCH ORMOLU AND WHITE MARBLE EMPIRE STYLE CLOCK GARNITURE, circular floral enamelled dial supporting a twin train movement, drum-head movement supported on four pillars with mask head pendulum, 15 ins high with matching twin branch three-light CANDELABRA SIDE ORNAMENTS. (3)
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