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Click here to subscribeCOMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, BRITISH HISTORICAL MEDALS, City of London, The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers, Livery Members Medal, by John Kirk, 1792, company arms with cornucopia supporters, rev arms of the City of London on crossed Sword and Mace, named “Willm Teanby”, edge engraved with company motto, “IN GOD IS ALL OUR TRUST”, 41.5mm. Good very fine.
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Long & Meritorious Service, Indian Police Medal post 1947 obverse (Ram Bahadur Limboo Subadar-Major, E.F.R., W. Bengal), engraved in running script, in Indian Government Mint (Calcutta) box of issue. Very fine. The Eastern Frontier Rifles were founded as the Frontier Protection Force by the East India Company at some point in the second half of the 18th Century. The EFR fought in the World War Two and as the Bengal Military Police, in the Great War. In 1947, when India and Pakistan became independent, the force was split between the Indian state of West Bengal, and Pakistan. The Pakistani element became the East Pakistan Rifles, which became the Bangladesh Rifles when Bangladesh became independent, and Border Guards Bangladesh in 2010. The West Bengal part retained its title of Eastern Frontier Rifles.
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Gallantry Groups, A Rare and Attributable King’s Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom Group of 7 awarded to Serjeant S.W.G. Geer, Indian Army Catering Corps late Royal Sussex Regiment, comprising King’s Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom, engraved (Sjt. S.W.G. Geer I.A.C.C.); India General Service Medal 1908-35, 1 clasp North West Frontier 1930-31 (6391991 Pte. S Geer R. Suss. R.); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; 1939-45 Defence Medal; 1939-45 War Medal, all unnamed as issued; Long Service and Good Conduct Medal GVIR with India bar (Sjt. S.W.G. Geer I.A.C.C.), mounted on contemporary bar for wear. Official correction to surname on IGSM, otherwise toned, very fine. (7) Serjeant Stanley William Gordon Geer - sold with corresponding miniatures. On 23 August 1945 the King’s Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom was introduced to recognise acts of courage performed by foreign civilians or military personnel, in the furtherance of the British and Commonwealth cause during World War Two. Approximately 3200 medals were awarded.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, BRITISH HISTORICAL MEDALS, Charles I, Memorial Medal, Engraved Silver Medal or Counter, in the style of de Passe, bust of King three-quarters right, wearing the Garter robes and hat of the trial which led to his execution, legend in border around, ~ CAROLVS DG MAG BRIT FRAN ET HIB REX 1649 27 IANV, rev bust of Queen Henrietta Maria nearly full-face, wearing triple-layered lace collar, pearl necklace and earing, ~ MARIA DG MAG BRIT FRAN ET HIB REG, 31mm. Good very fine, rare and seemingly unpublished. An unsigned and unattributed painting of the execution of Charles I (in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery) has, in the top left corner, a vignette of exactly this image of the King. On both the Garter Star is on the King’s right shoulder, whereas in other images of him it is usually to be found on the left. The King was declared guilty at a public session on Saturday 27 January 1649 and sentenced to death – he was executed on Tuesday 30 January.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, WORLD MEDALS, Egypt, Institut d’Egypt, 150th Anniversary, Bronze Medal, 1948, by Henri Dropsy (1885-1969), conjoined busts right of Kings Farouk and Fuad, both wearing Fezzes, rev dates of the various forms of the Institute from 1798, ancient Egyptian motif above, Arabic legend below, 58mm (Dropsy [1964], 202). Extremely fine. The Institut d’Égypte was a learned academy originally formed by Napoleon during his Egyptian campaign. The Institut was burnt out on 17 December 2011 during the Revolution that had started the previous January. It is understood that Sheikh Sultan al Quassimi, Governor of the Emirate of Sharjah, will fund the reconstruction of the building.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, WORLD MEDALS, Turkey (Medals illustrative of both Turkey and the Ottoman Empire, and the wars against them), The Battle of Navarino, 1828, Admiral Marie Henri Daniel Gauthier, Comte de Rigny (1782-1835), Copper Medal, by J F Domard, bare head left, rev Victory, holding thunderbolt, galley and palm branch, stands on prow of ancient galley, 51mm (BDM I, 601; Dogan 6476; MH 193). Extremely fine. Gauthier, who had joined the Navy in 1798, was appointed Rear-Admiral on the re-establishment of the Kingdom. He commanded the French squadron at Navarino, in alliance with the British and Russian fleets.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS BY SUBJECT, Horology, Gianello della Torre (Juanelo Turriano, c.1500-1585), Museum Quality Bronzed Electrotype of the obverse of the famous medal of the Italo-Spanish clockmaker, by Jacopo Nizzola da Trezzo, bearded bust right, legend around, 80mm (cf Attwood 91; Kress 441a; Scher 55; Gaines II, lot 13, sold for £19,000). Much as made. Born in Cremona, Gianello della Torre was also an architect, engineer and mathematician. The medal is believed to date from the early 1560s. Its reverse depicts Virtue standing in a fountain from which figures drink.
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Single Orders and Decorations for Gallantry, A Great War February 1917 Casualty Military Medal, GVR (43656 Pte. C. Lawn. 8/Norf: R.) Toned, very fine but with red wax to shoulder of King. Private Charles Lawn’s Military Medal was gazetted in the London Gazette of 8 January 1917, this Gazette covers operations on the Somme from August to November 1916, in the main, they are for actions of October 1916 at the Transloy Ridges and on the Ancre. These include Le Sars and Regina Trench – The Great War Medal Collectors Companion Vol 1 page 406 by Howard Williamson refers. Private Charles Lawn died, Home, 1 February 1917. Sold with copied London Gazette entries, Commonwealth War Graves information, Soldiers Died and M.i.C. See also lot 3976.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, WORLD MEDALS, Italy, Italy/England, Queen Mary, The State of England, a museum quality electrotype copy of the obverse of Jacopo Trezzo’s Medal for her marriage to Philip of Spain, 1555, bust left wearing bonnet, veil and elaborately embroidered dress, beaded border, 65mm (cf MI 71/17; Att 80; vL I, 4). Good very fine, “605” stamped in the field.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, BRITISH HISTORICAL MEDALS, George IV, Coronation, 1821, Copper Medal, by B Pistrucci, laureate bust left, GEORGIUS IIII D.G. BRITANNIARUM REX F.D, rev King enthroned left, crowned by Victory, and attended by Britannia, Hibernia and Scotia, PROPRIO JAM JURE ANIMO PATERNO, in exergue, INAUGURATUS DIE. JULII. XIX ANNO. MDCCCXXI, 35mm (BHM 1070; Eimer 1146a). Extremely fine.
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Campaign Groups and Pairs, A World War Two Order of St John Nursing Group of 3 awarded to Divisional Superintendant M Davidson, comprising: The Order of St John, Officer’s Breast Badge, in silver and enamels, 4th type (1948- c.1973), Defence Medal, 1939-1945, Service Medal of the Order of St John, in silver (1898-1947) with straight bar suspension, with silver ‘5-year’ clasp (Div. Supt. M. Davidson); medals officially impressed, group swing-mounted on bar with reverse pin for wear. Some light damage to enamels of first, crudely repaired, otherwise very fine, toned. (3)
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, WORLD MEDALS, Holy Roman Empire, Maximilian I (1459-1477-1482), as Duke of Austria and Burgundy and Maria (1457-1482), Duchess of Burgundy, Marriage 1477, Cast Bronze Medal, by Giovanni Candida, laureate bust right, MAXIMILIANVS FR CAE S F DVX AVSTR BVRGVND, rev draped bust of Maria right, crowned double-M monogram to left, MARIA KAROLI F DVX BVRGVNDIAE AVSTRIAE BRAB C FLAN, 48mm (Hill, Corpus 831; Arm II, 80, 3; Kress 225; Pollard 259). Very fine, a twice-pierced old cast.
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Campaign Groups and Pairs, Boer War Pair, awarded to Private J. Goldthorpe, 6 Dragoon Guards, comprising Queen’s South Africa Medal 1898-1902, second type, ghost dates, 6 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, engraved slanting script (3318 Pte: J. Goldthorpe, 6 Dragn. Gds.); King’s South Africa 1901-1902, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, 902 (3318 Pte. J. Goldthorpe 6th Drgn. Gds), impressed naming. Very fine, some light bruising. (2) Roll confirms only 5 clasps; Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill and Relief of Kimberley. The Belfast clasp original but with slightly different rivets.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, WORLD MEDALS, Italy, Roman School, Girolamo Calagrano, Bishop of Mondovi (1490-1497), Cast Silver Medal, bust right, rev female figure with dog and celestial globe, corn field and two suns beside her, SPES MIHI SOLA FIDES, 54mm (Arm II, 64, 14). Good very fine, a high quality cast in silver, with some age.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, WORLD MEDALS, Egypt, Abbas Hilmi Pacha (1874-1944, Khedive 1892-1914), Cairo Exhibition of Progress, 1895, Gilt-bronze Medal, by SJ (believed Stefano Johnson, Milan), uniformed bust, head turned slightly left, rev panorama of the sphinx before the two great pyramids, 67mm, in red leather case of issue with title impressed in gilt. The high points polished, otherwise very fine and very rare.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS BY SUBJECT, Medicine / Science, Sir Alexander Fleming (1881-1955), Nobel Prize winner, 1945, Cast Bronze Portrait Medal, c.1955, by Frank Kovaks (1895-1965), bust right wearing his customary bow tie, SIR ALEXANDER FLEMING – DISCOVERER OF PENICILLIN (last N reversed), 119mm, in black turned wood frame (cf BHM 4460, footnote). Extremely fine, believed to be a unique variety of an extremely rare medal. This medal is probably the prototype for the slightly larger medal of which examples are in the collections of the British and Science Museums and the National Portrait Gallery on which his titles are acknowledged, “FRS MB BSc FRCS FRCP”. It was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1956. Frank Kovaks (1895-1965), Hungarian-born portrait sculptor and medallist, he settled in Canada before moving to England, where he exhibited intermittently at the Royal Academy between 1938 and 1962. His uniface portrait medals were produced in very small editions. Kovaks sculpted a bust of Fleming for St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, ART MEDALS, Art Deco, André Henri Lavrillier (1885-1958), Léda et le Cygne, Uniface Art Déco Bronze Plaque, 1925, Léda with swan, 100mm x 61mm (Jones, Art of the Medal, 418; Maier 313). Extremely fine and one of the classic Art Déco medallic images. The plaque was made for an exhibition of a dozen medallists for la revue Aréthuse, 25 April 1925, at la Cité des livres, Boulevard Malesherbes, Paris.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, BRITISH HISTORICAL MEDALS, Love and Friendship, Engraved Georgian Silver Medal, c.1760s, clasped hands joined with padlock, a saw through a flaming heart above, olive leaf border, rev hen with chicks, palm border, 29.38g, 49mm; Smoothed and Engraved Copper Halfpennies (2), armorial goat’s head left, rev “Sarah Brock”, and initials IP and SC to either side. First very fine, a delightful piece, the others fine. (3) The goat’s head is the crest of some branches of the Brook(e) family and, no doubt, also the Brooks.
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Single British Campaign Medals, A Rifle Brigade Relief of Lady Smith Fatal “bayonet-charge” Casualty with original contemporary paperwork, comprising Queen’s South Africa Medal, second type, ghost dates, with two clasps, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith (9558 Pte C. Moon. Rifle Brigade). Ladysmith clasp slightly bent, otherwise extremely fine as issued, mounted on a modern pin for display purposes. Charles Smallcomb Moon was born c.1869 and enlisted in the Rifle Brigade at Horfield on 8 March 1888, giving his age as 18 years, 1 month. He lived with his father and mother and five siblings at 16 Beam Street, Barton Hill, Bristol. Private Moon served at Winchester, Woolwich, and Dover between 1888-1890. He was at Barreilly throughout 1891 and Ganesh Ghat in 1892. During 1895 he served in Hong Kong. Private Moon, 2nd Battalion the Rifle Brigade, was posted from Crete to Durban, South Africa in October 1899. The Battalion moved on to Ladysmith to cover the retirement of Sir George’s White’s force into the town. On 10 December the Rifle Brigade was involved in a sharp bayonet action in hilly country losing 1 officer and 10 men killed and 3 officers and 40 other ranks wounded. From the Bristol Evening News, Wednesday 13 December 1899 “Transvaal War – Brilliant Sortie- Bayonet Charge – Enemy’s Heavy Losses” “… The War Office at 11.40 o’clock last night, issued the following telegram from General Buller:- “Free Camp 2.5pm, Tuesday. The following telegram received from Sir George White today” “11th December, - Last night Lieut. Col Metcalf, 2nd Rifle Brigade, with 500 men of his Battalion, made a sortie to capture Surprise Hill, and destroy the 4.7 Howitzer mounted there.” “They reached the crest of the hill undiscovered and drove of the enemy, the gun was destroyed by gun-cotton successfully by Lt. Digby Jones R.E. when retiring they found their retirement barred by the Boers but forced their way through using the bayonet freely – the Boer losses were considerable.” Sold with the original and emotive Army Form 46, dated 24 October 1901, stating:- Madam, With Reference to your application regarding the late Pte. C.S. Moon of the Rifle Brigade I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to enclose herewith the Small book of the late soldier. The original Soldiers Small Book belonging to Private Moon, a vaccination certificate dated December 1868 two newspaper cutting relating to the action he was killed in and a complete copy of the Bristol Evening News, of Wednesday 13 December 1899. A copy of The Battles of the Thukela Heights by Ken Gillings and a photocopy of the Rifle Brigade History for the Boer War.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, BRITISH HISTORICAL MEDALS, Admiral Augustus Keppel (1725-1786), the Battle of Ushant, Gilt-bronze Medal, 1778, signed IH, uniformed bust three-quarters right, rev within wreath, JUDICIOUS / BRAVE / AND / GALLANT, 41mm (BHM 214, R4 when gilt; Eimer 774; MH 437). Good very fine and very rare.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, ART MEDALS, Orphée, Bronze Medal, 1899, by M A L Coudray, head of Orpheus with lyre, rev naked winged figure seated on tablet, holding quill and trumpet, violin and bow below, 68mm (CGMP p.100; BM Acq 1983-1987, p.18, 28); other Bronze Medals (2), by Coudray, Dryads dancing, 49mm, and lady feeding farm birds, 50mm; with a late cast of the Lusitania Medal, by Goetz. Generally extremely fine. (4)
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Single British Campaign Medals, Afghanistan Medal, 1878-80, single clasp, Kabul (Rifleman Bhugutbeer Rana 2nd Goorkha Regt.); officially engraved in a running script. Attractively toned, a few small surface marks and hairlines, otherwise bold very fine.
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Gallantry Groups, A Boer War Distinguished Conduct Medal Long Service Group of 4, comprising Distinguished Conduct Medal E.VII.R. (4145 Lc. Serjt G. Walker 1/L.N. Lanc R.), large engraved lettering; Queen’s South Africa Medal, 2nd type, 6 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (4145 Cpl. G.E. Walker 1st L.N. Lanc Regt.); King’s South Africa Medal 1901-1902, 2 clasps, South Africa (4145 Serjt. G. Walker L.N. Lanc Regt.); Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal G.V.R., non-swivelling suspender (4145 C. Sjt. G.F. Walker L.N. Lan Regt.). Contact marks, otherwise very fine. (4) Distinguished Conduct Medal, 10 September 1901 Colour Serjeant George Frederick Walker also served during the Great War enlisting into the Loyal North Lancs on 28 August 1914 and being discharged with the Silver War Badge on 8 February 1919 after Home Service. With the 4th Reserve Battalion. Sold with copy service papers and relevant London Gazette.
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, World Medals, Japan, A Japanese Group of 8, comprising Victory 1914-1920; Coronation Medal; Taisho Enthronement Medal; Showa Enthronement Medal; the 1940 2600 Anniversary of Imperial Rule; 1931-34 Manchurian Incident War Medal; 1937-40 China Incident War Medal; Red Cross Life Member Medal, mounted for wear; with a 1900 Paris Exposition Medal in Bronze, by the Paris mint; Japanese Sports Medal and a Red Cross Commemorative Medal for the Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905, on incorrect ribbon; Assorted Japanese Commemorative Badges, including 1969 100th Anniversary of a Buddhist Shrine; Special Member of the Imperial Time Expired Soldiers League; Ordinary Member of the Imperial Time Expired Soldiers League; Health Organisation Merit Badge; Imperial Visit 1935 to Military Manoeuvres –Police Badge; Copy Chinese Medal; Japanese Air Protection Association Badge (Defective); Japanese Patriotic Women’s Association Badge and Civilian lapel pins; Japanese Pilgrimage Badge, Heian Shrine, Kyoto, in box; Japanese Civic Badge – Tokyo 1940, in box; Japanese Full Members Badge of the Military Wives Association, in box. Generally very fine. (36)
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Single British Campaign Medals, New Zealand Medal, 1845-1866, reverse dated 1863 to 1866 (4458 Danl. O’Connell, 50th Qn’s Own Rgt); officially impressed. Toned, light surface marks, naming a little worn in places, generally very fine. Daniel O’Connell was born c.1834 in Castletar, County Mayo, Ireland, and he attested for service with the 50th (1st Royal West Kent) Foot at Preston on 10 February 1855, having previously worked as a labourer. His papers show nearly a year’s service in the Crimea, nearly four years in Ceylon, and five years and seven months in the ‘Australian Colonies’. His disciplinary record appears rather chequered. Sold with copied roll mentions, confirming his entitlement to this New Zealand medal, as well as to a Crimea medal, and Turkish Crimea medal, and copied service papers.
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Single British Campaign Medals, Canada General Service Medal 1866-70, 2 clasps, Fenian Raid 1866, Red River 1870 (1742 Pte A. Appleford 4/60 K.R.R.C.). Toned, very fine. Two other medals to this man are known, one in the Royal Green Jackets Museum, Winchester and one in the Glenhow Museum, Canada. The clasps are not the same thickness, the Fenian Raid clasp characteristic of a much later Canadian War Museum Specimen. The naming style is incorrect for this issue.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, BRITISH HISTORICAL MEDALS, Victoria, Coronation, 1838, the official Silver Medal, by B Pistrucci, bust left, VICTORIA D.G. BRITANNIARUM REGINA F.D., rev Britannia, Hibernia and Scotia offer the crown to Victoria, ERIMUS TIBI NOBILE REGNUM, with INAUGURATA DIE JUNII XXVIII MDCCCXXXVIII in exergue, 36mm (BHM 1801; Eimer 1315); William IV, Coronation, White Metal Medal, by T W Ingram, Britannia, Hibernia and Scotia attending the King and Queen, rev crowned legend in wreath, 55mm (BHM 1484). First with two small marks on cheek, otherwise extremely fine, second very fine. (2)
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, World Medals, Johore, Sultanate of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Coronation Medal (Pingat Kemahkotaan Sultan Ibrahim), 1895, second class award in silver, with reverse pin for wear also marked ‘silver’. A few light hairlines and small marks, otherwise nearly extremely fine, scarce. This award was created 17 September 1925 in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the coronation of Sultan Ibrahim of Johor. It was awarded in three classes, the second class (PIS-II) was given to officers, officials and members of the public for 20 years’ service in the Johor government.
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Long & Meritorious Service, A Volunteer Long Service Medal, VR, impressed (1014 R.Q.M. Sjt. W. Boddy. 1st East Riding of Y. R.G.A.V.). Toned, fine. Regimental Quarter Master Serjeant William Boddy 1st East Riding of Yorkshire Royal Garrison Artillery Volunteers. Mounted on pin for wear.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, WORLD MEDALS, Turkey (Medals illustrative of both Turkey and the Ottoman Empire, and the wars against them), The Crimean War, The New Alliance between France, Great Britain and Turkey, 1854, Copper Medal, by A Caqué, Napoleon III clasps hands with Queen Victoria and Abdul Medjid, DIEU LES PROTÈGE, rev legend in ten lines, EN 1854 / SOUS LE RÈGNE DE / NAPOLÉON III / ET CELUI DE LA REINE / VICTORIA / LA FRANCE / ET LA GDE BRETAGNE / S’UNIRENT POUR ASSURER / LA PAIX DU MONDE, 36.5mm (Dogan 6536; Divo 185). Extremely fine. ex O’Byrne Collection
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, BRITISH HISTORICAL MEDALS, William III (1650-1702), Prince of Orange, Confirmation as Stadholder, Cast Silver Medal, c.1677, believed by Roelof Hensbergen (1638-1680) and O. Wouter Müller (reverse), armoured bust three-quarters right, lace cravat, long flowing hair, wearing Badge of the Order of the Garter, SYN CONINKLEVKE HOOCH D KEER PRINS VAN ORANIE Ec, rev crowned shield of arm within Garter, 63.5mm (Nomos [2015] 38; cf MI 570/238, differing obverse legend, and signed FN; cf S Scher, The Proud Republic, 21; cf vL III, 151-52, III, obv [rev – Capture of Graz]). Very fine, a secondary cast, the field smoothed, extremely rare. William III, King of England (1689-1702). Nomos (2015), Walker, A: 50 Masterpieces from the Golden Age. Dutch Medals from the 17th Century, Joint Exhibition by Nomos and John Endlich Antiquairs, TEFAL 2015, number 38 - a gilt example wholly attributed to Müller. The attribution to Roelof Hensbergen is given by Scher (see above), where the portrait is almost identical, but the legend differs, with better examples showing a cypher signature at the start of the legend. The reverse was first used on a medal by Wouter Müller, c.1650, for William’s father. The attribution “Confirmation as Stadholder“ is taken from Nomos; it could equally have been produced to commemorate William’s marriage to Princess Mary on 4 November 1677.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, WORLD MEDALS, United States of America, France, Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834), Appointment as Commander of the Garde Nationale, Silver Medal, 1789, by Benjamin Duvivier, uniformed bust left, hair en queue, OFFERT PAR B. DUVIVIER A LA GARDE NATIONLE in exergue, rev legend around, VENGEUR DE LA LIBERTÉ DANS LES DEUX MONDES, and in centre with biographical details, edge engraved A JG PAYENNEVILLE. M. JB J’AROUX AVT MARIES LE 29 JUILLET 1790, 41mm (Nocq, Les Duvivier, 222/238; Fuld, Melvin & George, Medallic Memorials to Lafayette, The Numismatist 70 (1957), LA 1790.4, this piece illustrated). Good very fine and very rare. ex Max Schwartz, M&G Fuld Collections and Stack’s “Americana” sale, 30 September - 1 October 2010, lot 5489, where it was called the “Avenger of Liberty in Two Worlds” medal. The medal is usually found in copper and silver specimens are very rare. This one has the added interest of the marriage commemoration engraved on the edge, Michel Jean-Baptiste Jacques Aroux (1761-1841), a judge and later a substitute Imperial Prosecutor-General at the Court of Appeal at Rouen.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS BY SUBJECT, Miscellaneous, Centenary of Victor Hugo, 1902, Bronze Medal, by J C Chaplain, 50mm; with modern strikes on the theme of the arts, including Michael Angelo, Brughel, Pascal and Bardot; and other Modern Copper Medals (9), Picasso by Lallement; European Investment Bank, unsigned; French National Railways by Mathieu; Jean d’Arc by Blin; Aphrodite by Giraud; Pygmalion by Baron; Charles de Gaulle by Jaeger; Musée de l’Homme, unsigned; Council of Europe, this silver plated. Generally extremely fine. (14)
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS BY SUBJECT, Sport, Olympic Games, London 1908, Silvered-copper Participant’s Medal, by B Mackennal for Vaughton, Victory standing holding laurel spray and trumpet, rev two victorious athletes in quadriga, un-named, 51mm (Eimer 1904; BHM 3963). Rubbed to high points, otherwise good very fine.
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Campaign Groups and Pairs, A Boer War and Great War Family Group of 3, comprising Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, third type, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1902 (5324 Pte. F. Wise. Rifle Brigade); and British War and Victory Medals 1914-1920 (306284 Pte. T. Wise 5-Lond. R.). The QSA toned, fine, British War and Victory toned, about fine. (3) Queen’s South Africa Medal Roll for the 5th Battalion the Rifle Brigade confirms a three clasp medal was awarded to 5324 Pte. F. Wise. M.i.C. confirms the Great War Pair to Private Thomas Wise. Copy roll and M.i.C. included.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, WORLD MEDALS, Greece, Otto (1815-1867, King 1832-1862), Accession 1832, Silver Medal, by C Voigt, bare head right, rev Greece seated left on prow, holding cornucopiæ, GRAECIA REDIVIVA, with MDCCCXXXII in exergue, 41mm (see Divo 10, fig A, for reverse). Good extremely fine with a few light hairlines, very rare.
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Campaign Groups and Pairs, A Boer War and Long Service Pair awarded to Drummer/Private T Byrne 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment comprising King’s South Africa Medal, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902 (3952 Dmr. T. Byrne. Rl: Irish Regt); Long Service and Good Conduct Medal EVIIR (3952 Pte T. Byrne R. Irish Regt). Good very fine. (2) Drummer and later Private Terrance Byrne enlisted with the Royal Irish Regiment at Clonmel on the 13 June 1891, he served Home 13 June 1891 to 25 February 1892, India 26 February 1892 to 1 February 1899, Home 2 February 1899 to 15 December 1899, South Africa 16 February 1899 to 10 February 1905, India 11 February 1905 to 5 January 1911, Home 6 January 1911 to his discharge on 12 June 1912. For his services he was awarded the India Medal 1895 with the clasps Punjab Frontier 1897-98 and Samana 1899, the Queen’s South Africa Medal with three clasps (the first indistinct on service papers), Wittebergen and Cape Colony. The King’s South Africa with 1901 and 1902 clasps and in April 1910 the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, with gratuity. Medals mounted on a pin, sold with copy service papers.
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Campaign Groups and Pairs, A Great War P.O.W. Meritorious Service Medal Group of 3 awarded to Corporal E. Worthington, 1st Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, comprising British War and Victory Medals 1914-1920 (1285 Cpl. E. Worthington L.N. Lan. R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal G.V.R., swivelling suspender (1285 Cpl. E. Worthington 1/L.N. Lan. R.). Toned and polished, otherwise about very fine. (3) Meritorious Service Medal London Gazette, 10 June 1920 His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Meritorious Service Medal to the undermentioned Warrant Officer, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men in recognition of devotion to duty and valuable services rendered whilst prisoners of war or interned. Corporal Ernest Worthington attested on 5 November 1908 at Preston, he landed in France on 22 September 1914 (entitled to 1914 Star), Discharged 17 January 1919 (no longer physically fit for military service). Sold with m.i.c., copied M.S.M. award card, relevant London Gazette entries and a copy set of Service Papers from the “Burnt” series. Cpl Worthington was issued with Silver War Badge B83225.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, BRITISH HISTORICAL MEDALS, Cambridge University, William Browne Prize for Classical Odes and Epigrams, Gold Medal, by Lewis Pingo, first struck 1755, awarded 1904 to John Fraser, bust of William Browne left, rev kneeling figure receives wreath from a seated Apollo, named on edge, 36.5mm, 24.06g (BHM 92; Eimer 711; Eimer, Pingo 52; Storer 500). A little scuffed, nearly extremely fine. Sir William Browne (1692-1774), elected president of the Royal College of Physicians, 1765. John Fraser (1882-1945) was Jesus Professor of Celtic (1921) at Oxford. He won the medal when a student at Trinity College, Cambridge, and is understood to have worked at Bletchley Park during the war.
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Miscellaneous, A Great War Coldstream Guards Collection of Original Ephemera awarded to 12137 Pte William Eccles DCM, MM and Bar, M.i.D. comprising. Mentioned in Despatches Certificate (12137 Pte. W. Eccles); A Divisional Gallantry Card stating that Pte Eccles was Mentioned in Despatches on 1 January 1916 (12137 Pte. W Eccles 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards); and a Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards Service Certificate (12137 William Eccles). Very fine. (3) Divisional Gallantry Card, 1 January 1916 This is to Certify that 12137 Pte. W. Eccles First Battalion Coldstream Guards performed the following act of gallantry on 28 September 1915 at Loos during the attack on Puits No 14 Bis. Went out under a terrific machine gun fire to rescue a wounded man. He was himself knocked over by the explosion of a shell, but persevered and successfully brought in the wounded man. Mentioned in Despatches London Gazette 1 January 1916 Military Medal London Gazette 27 October 1916 Distinguished Conduct Medal London Gazette 29 November 1917 Bar to the Military Medal London Gazette 14 May 1919
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Groups to Men Awarded The Victoria Cross, The Campaign Pair to Lieutenant Duncan Charles Home, V.C., Bengal Engineers, Hero of the Kashmir Gate at the assault of Delhi, who was killed in an explosion shortly afterwards, comprising Punjab Medal 1848-49, 2 clasps, Mooltan, Goojerat (2nd Lieut. D. C. Home, Engrs. 3rd Cy. Sappers); Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-59, 1 clasp, Delhi (Lt. D. C. Home, Bengal Engrs.). First with some edge bruises and surface marks, very fine, the second nearly extremely fine. (2) Acquired by Roger Perkins directly from the family in 1982; the catalogue of his sale in 1990 states that the “Cross, unfortunately, was lost in the 1920s. The children took it out of the house while ‘playing soldiers’ and it was lost in a field. Intensive searches then and later failed to locate it. After so many years it seems unlikely that it will ever be recovered.” Victoria Cross London Gazette, 18 June 1858 Duncan Charles Home, the third son of Major-General Richard Home, Colonel of the 43rd Bengal Native Infantry, and Frances Sophia, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Fraser, 7th Light Cavalry, was born at Jubbulpore, Central Provinces, on 10 June 1828. He was educated at Elizabeth College, Guernsey, from January 1841 to 1843, and afterwards for 1½ years by Messrs Stoton and Mayor at Wimbledon. He attended Addiscombe from 1845 to 11 December 1846, on which day he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Bengal Engineers, but undergoing the usual course of instruction at Chatham did not sail for India until 20 June 1848. He arrived at Calcutta in the Barham in the middle of October, and within a few days was despatched to the Upper Provinces to do duty with the headquarters of the Corps of Sappers and Pioneers then employed in operations before Mooltan. He was present at the siege and capture of that place and was afterwards present with the corps at the battle of Goojerat. He was subsequently posted to the 3rd Company of Sappers at Lahore. In October 1849 he was appointed to the Public Works Department, and became Assistant Executive officer, 3rd Division, Ganges Canal, until April 1852, when he was placed at the disposal of the Superintending Engineer, Punjab Circle, for employment in the Civil Engineers Department, being appointed Assistant to the Executive Engineer of the Bari Doab Canals at Malikpur. A year later he was appointed Executive Engineer of the first division of the Bari Doab Canal, and on 15 February 1854 was promoted Lieutenant. He was serving in this capacity at Madhopur when the Mutiny broke out in May 1857. The insurrection did not at first affect him in his duties, he was soon ordered to raise three companies of Punjab Sappers (or Pioneers) for service at Delhi from the Mazbi Sikh workmen employed on the Grand Trunk Road. He received the order one morning and the companies marched away the following evening under Lieutenant H W Gulliver, Bengal Engineers. At the start of July, Home raised two more companies of Punjab Sappers, and was later himself summoned to augment the small number of Engineer officers on the Ridge. Home arrived at Delhi in August and, on the 22 August, was appointed a Field Engineer in orders. As part of the plan for the final assault on 14 September, Home and Lieutenant Philip Salkeld, also of the Bengal Engineers, were assigned to lead the Explosion Party which was to blow in the Kashmir Gate in advance of Colonel Campbell’s No. 3 Column. At day break just as the British siege guns had ceased firing, Brigadier Nicholson gave the order to advance, leading Nos. 1 and 2 Columns himself from the Kudsia Bagh, while No. 3 Column issued from the vicinity of Ludlow Castle. Two hundred skirmishers of the 60th Rifles ran out to cover the storming columns, and instantly the walls of Delhi blazed with rebel musketry. At the front of No. 3 Column, Home and Salkeld led forward their detachment which, carrying ladders and powder bags, comprised three British NCO’s, 14 Indian soldiers of the Bengal Sappers and Miners, 10 men of the Punjab Sappers (or Pioneers) and a British bugler. When there was no more cover, the actual Explosion Party, consisting of all the Europeans and 8 of the Indian Sappers, rushed in two small parties towards the gate. There are conflicting accounts of the heroic deed that followed but the most reliable should be those of the men who were actually there. Duncan Home reported to Baird-Smith, the Chief Engineer, Delhi Field Force: ‘Serjeants John Smith and Carmichael, Mahdo Havildar, all the [four] Sappers and myself arrived at the Cashmere Gate untouched a short time in advance of the remainder of the party under Lieutenant Salkeld, having found the palisade gate on the outside of the ditch and the wicket of the Cashmere Gate open, and three planks of the bridge across the ditch removed. As Serjeant Carmichael was laying his powder bag [containing 25lb] he was killed by a shot from the wicket. Havildar Mahdo was, I believe, also wounded about the same time. Lieutenant Salkeld, carrying the slow match to light the charge, now came up with a portion of the remainder of the party ... the fire from the wicket which was very severe [and] I slipped down into the ditch. Lieutenant Salkeld being wounded in the leg from the wicket, handed over the match to Corporal Burgess who was mortally wounded while completing the operation, Havildar Tillok was at the same time wounded while assisting Corporal Burgess into the ditch; Sepoy Rambeth was also killed at the same time. As I was assisting Lieutenant Salkeld into the ditch I think he was wounded a second time. The charge having exploded blew in the right leaf of the gate, on which I caused the regimental call of the 52nd Regiment to be sounded as the signal for the advance of the storming party. I caused the bugler [Hawthorne] to sound the call three times, after which the column advanced to storm and the gate was taken possession of by our troops.’ Sergeant John Smith recorded: ‘As soon as the dust cleared I saw Lieutenant Salkeld and Burgess covered with dust. Lieutenant Salkeld’s arms were broken. Lieutenant Home got out of the ditch leaving me in charge of the wounded, and went to the front after the Rifles had gone in.’ Colonel Sandes in his Military Engineer in India records: ‘Carmichael and Burgess died almost immediately. Salkeld, Home, Smith and Bugler Hawthorne were awarded the Victoria Cross. But Salkeld lived for only two days. Before he died, when he was too weak to do more than whisper “It will be gratifying to send it home,” he received the red ribbon ... The Indian Sappers and Miners were rewarded with the Indian Order of Merit, promotion or grants of land; none was forgotten. This is the story of the bravest deed ever performed in India by Engineers or Sappers and Miners.’ In 1876 Lord Napier of Magdala placed a memorial to the Explosion Party outside the Kashmir Gate. Following the fall at Delhi, Home was attached to the pursuing column under Colonel Edward Greathed, and was present at the successful action at Boolundshuhur on 28 September against the rebel force under Walidad Khan who had assumed authority over the district. Greathead’s force rested that night at Boolundshuhur and next day Home was sent with a detachment to blow up Walidad Khan’s fort at Maolghur. However, while engaged in that work one of the mines exploded prematurely and he was killed on the spot. His Victoria Cross was sent to his father by post on 7 July 1858. Sold with extensive research and a copy VC. ex Roger Perkins Collection, Sotheby’s, 18 December 1990, lot 534 ex Brian Ritchie Collection, 2005 ex DNW auction, 18 May 2011, lot 541
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS BY SUBJECT, Exploration, Sweden, Admiral Fredrik Wilhelm von Otter (1833-1910), explorer, naval officer and politician – Prime Minister 1900-1902, 50 years Service in the Navy, Bronze Medal, 1900, by A Lindberg, uniformed bust left, rev flag and trophies, 50mm. Nearly very fine. In 1868 von Otter commanded the expedition ship Sofia, for a Polar Expedition led by Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld.
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Single British Campaign Medals, Afghanistan Medal, 1878-80, no clasp (405 Pte Ts Moores. 63rd Regt.), renamed. A few light hairlines, good very fine, lightly toned. Sold with copy roll mention, confirming this award to Thomas Moores, who served in the Service Companies of the 63rd (Manchester) Regiment.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, WORLD MEDALS, Italy, Leo X (1475-1513-1521), Giovanni di Lorenzo de’ Medici, Uniface Restitutional Bronze Portrait Medal, c.1740s, by Antonio Selvi, for the Series Medicea, tonsured bust right, LEO X MED PONT MAX, 89mm (V&T 263, obv). Cast with an unpatinated surface, good fine, pierced in outer rim. Leo X was the second son of Lorenzo the Magnificent, ruler of the Florentine Republic.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS BY SUBJECT, International Exhibitions, France, Photography, Exposition Universelle Internationale de Paris, 1878, Silver Award Medal, by Jules-Clément Chaplain (1839-1909), named to Bidard, laureatte head of la République [Marianne] left, rev winged Victory over exhibition grounds, cherub with name-tablet, 67mm, edge stamped ARGENT. Matt surface, choice extremely fine. The Exhibition organisers arranged for a Grand Lottery to raise the funds for its construction and this was won by a Mr Bidard. It seems possible that the medal could be related.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, WORLD MEDALS, France, Napoleon, Attempt on his Life, Copper Medal, Year 9 (1800), by H Auguste, uniformed bust left, AMOUR DU PEUPLE FRANÇAIS …, rev legend in ten lines, LES CITOYENS VOLENT …, 50mm (Brm 76; Julius 857; Ess 861). Extremely fine. The assassination attempt took place in the Rue Saint-Nicaise on Christmas Eve, 1800, when a massive bomb, the machine infernale, exploded near Napoleon’s carriage as he went to the opening night of Haydn’s opera Creation.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, WORLD MEDALS, France, Onésime Rosalie Doutreleau, Uniface Cast Bronze Portrait Medal, 1810, by J J Richard, bust left with hair held high with comb, her name around as if engraved, ONÉSIME ROSALIE DOUTRELEAU né en 1810, 99mm (cf BDM V, 110). Much as made, attractive sculptural style, nearly extremely fine. ex Michael Hall Collection (Part Two), 29 June 2010, lot 1395) The Hall Collection also sold a medal of her sister, Virginie Cécile Louise Doutreleau, born in 1812 (lot 1396). J J Richard was one of the Richard brothers, the founders who cast much of David d’Angers portrait plaquettes and the medal displays his influence.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, WORLD MEDALS, Italy, Antonia del Balzo (1441-1538), wife (1479) of Gianfrancesco Gonzaga di Ròdigo, Cast Bronze Medal, Pier Jacopo di Antonio Alari Bonacolsi, called Antico, bust right, DIVA ANTONIA BAVTIA DE GONZ MAR, rev Hope stands on the prow of a ship with broken mast, holding the severed anchor and torn sail, two winged horses draw the ship over the sea, an Amor flies above, SVPEREST.M.SPES (very weakly) signed ANTI in exergue, 39mm (Hill, Corpus 212; Arm I, 62, 5; Pollard [2007] 112; Kress 72). Good very fine, a later cast.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, BRITISH HISTORICAL MEDALS, Earl of Chesterfield, Philip Stanhope, 1743, Copper Medal, by J A Dassier, bust left, rev COMES DE CHESTERFIELD MDCCXLIV, in ornamental device, 55mm (Eimer 580; EIS (2) 296/2); with a cast copy of Tanner’s Medal of Milton (Eimer 542); and Capture of Portobello, Vernon and Commodore Brown, Bronze Medal. First very fine, the others fine and fair. (3)
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS, BRITISH HISTORICAL MEDALS, Admiral George Brydges Rodney (1719-1792), The Capture of St Eustatius, Bronze Medal, 1781, half-length bust three-quarters right, wearing tricorn hat, rev ships in port with townscape beyond, ST EUSTATIA SABA AND ST MARTINS – TAKEN FROM THE DUTCH IN 1781, 35mm (BHM 235; MH 385). Very fine and very rare.
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