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Click here to subscribeSeaby’s Coin & Medal Bulletin (London), Nos. 340-403 [March 1946-December 1951], complete, bound in 6 volumes [Lot]. Matching blue half-leather and marbled boards by Amanda Slope, Great Missenden, gilt spines; a very fine and attractive run Provenance: Ex libris Johan Christian Holm, Copenhagen, Spink Auction 61, 22 October 1987, lot 330 (part); David Griffiths, DNW Auction 86, 16-17 June 2010, lot 328 (part)
A FINE PRESENTATION SWORD TO MAJOR ROBERT TORRENS BY THE NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, DRUMMERS AND PRIVATES OF THE ROYAL MARINES AT ANHOLT, BY HENRY TATHAM, SWORD CUTLER TO THE KING, DATED 1811 with curved blade double-edged towards the point and etched in imitation of Damascus steel, etched and gilt on one side with entwined fronds enclosing allegorical figures including Victory and with a pair of addorsed marine monsters at the base, the other side etched with scrolling foliage terminating in a fouled anchor, with the presentation inscription and further designs of scrolling foliage (worn, the gilding with extensive losses), gilt-brass hilt comprising flattened slightly down-turned quillon, cross-piece chiselled in imitation of bound cord, knuckle-guard with conventional foliage and cap pommel cast and chased with classical trophies on each face and a lion mask on top, ebony grip fitted with a gilt-brass ferrule en suite with the sides of the pommel, finely inlaid over its surface with leafy tendrils, and differing flowers, inset on each side with a silver plaque cast and chased with Hercules slaying the Nemean lion, and with a silver fasces running along the back-edge, in its original scabbard almost entirely encased in pierced and chased gilt brass, comprising spirally moulded chape with a pair of batwings at the top, openwork middle section decorated with oak fruit and foliage revealing blue velvet beneath (possibly restored), entwined serpents at the chape, the middle band and the locket, the latter two with a lion mask impaled by a Caduceus, the locket inscribed Anholt` on one side and with the maker`s details `Henry Tatham, Sword Cutler to the King, London` on the other, a pair of spirally moulded integral loops for a belt, complete with its original belt of blue velvet backed with morocco, the velvet embroidered with gilt oak foliage and fruit, with its gilt-brass fittings including entwined anchors and lion mask bosses en suite with the hilt and scabbard, and the brass parts remaining in fine condition throughout 79cm; 31 1/8in blade The inscription reads: `PRESENTED BY THE NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, DRUMMERS AND PRIVATES OF THE ROYAL MARINES IN GARRISON AT ANHOLT, TO THEIR GALLANT AND HUMANE COMMANDER MAJOR ROBERT TORRENS IN TOKEN OF THEIR ADMIRATION OF HIS BRAVERY ON THE XXVII OF MARCH MDCCCXI, AND IN GRATITUDE FOR HIS KIND CONSIDERATION OF THEIR INDIVIDIUAL COMFORT AND HAPPINESS. ` This sabre is one of two swords presented to Captain Robert Torrens, Royal Marines, in recognition of his services in the defence of the Baltic island of Anholt against Danish forces in March 1811 (Field, 1924, I, p. 231). While the sabre offered here was presented to him by the NCOs and men under his command, the other sword - of small-sword form, 100 guineas` value and mounted in silver-gilt by Richard Teed - was presented to him by his officers: it is now in the collections of the Royal Marines Museum, Eastney, Hampshire (2002.40), together with Torrens`s Naval General Service Medal 1793-1840 with clasp Anholt (1987.45). The existence of two swords presented to the same man for the same action clearly indicates that Torrens was a man who inspired considerable regard from his subordinates; posterity, however, has remembered him not as the Defender of Anholt but as a leading contributor to the science of Political Economy. Robert Torrens was an Ulsterman, born in about 1780. He was commissioned 2nd lieutenant in the Corps of Marines in February 1796 and promoted 1st lieutenant in November 1797, becoming a captain in the Royal Marines in July 1806. Prior to his being posted to Anholt in the Baltic, Torrens is said to have served on ships of the Channel Fleet and at Copenhagen in 1807 (Fetter, 1990; p. 546). The island of Anholt, in the Kattegat, had been captured from Denmark and occupied in May 1809, shortly afterwards being commissioned by the Royal Navy as a 50-gun ship, placed under the command of Captain James Wilkes Maurice R.N. (1775-1857) and allocated a garrison of Royal Marines. Strategically significant both for Britain`s pursuit of the Baltic trade and her blockade of Napoleon`s continental empire, Anholt was rapidly put into a state of defence against expected attempts by Denmark to recapture it; in August 1810 Torrens was posted to the island to command its Royal Marines garrison, comprising 350 infantry and 31 artillerymen. In the spring of 1811, Denmark assembled an assault force of gunboats and troop-transports, carrying approximately 1000 troops, and, before dawn on 27th March 1811, the first waves of this force attacked Anholt on two sides, the troops quickly establishing a beach-head on the southern shore while the gunboats fired on British positions. Outnumbered by the Danes, Maurice and Torrens withdrew the Marines to prepared fortified positions and signals were sent, requesting immediate assistance, to the Royal Navy`s ships Sheldrake, Tartar and Anholt. The Royal Marines` artillery fire and musketry caused heavy casualties among the Danes, who were caught in cross-fires in exposed positions, and the advent of Tartar and Anholt caused the Danish gunboats to retire, leaving the assault force unsupported and without hope of rescue. Royal Naval gunnery from the ships combined with that of the Royal Marine Artillery from Anholt`s forts to make the Danish position rapidly untenable and the forces on the northern and southern shores capitulated, having lost several senior officers among casualties of about 200. Maurice allowed the Danish reserve to re-embark but secured nearly 700 prisoners. Torrens was wounded during the action but continued to lead and inspire his men and was rewarded in April 1811 with the brevet rank of major, returning to England at about that time. The defence of Anholt was publicised as a major triumph for British arms and the island remained in British hands until the summer of 1813 (Fraser, 1930). Apart from participating in the attack on Antwerp in February 1814, Torrens saw no further active service but he remained in the Royal Marines until 1834, being given the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel in 1819, spending the period 1823-30 on half-pay, being promoted major in the Marines in 1831 and selling out in 1834. In that period, he was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society and served as a Member of Parliament - for Ipswich 1826-27, Ashburton 1831-32 and Bolton 1832-34. In the last 30 years of his life he was active in promoting the colonisation of South Australia and New Zealand, particularly in relation to Irish immigrants. While his work and extensive writing as a political economist earned him fame and income, his political unorthodoxy, uncompromising manner and obvious personal ambition gained him few firm allies; he died in London in 1864. See F.W. Fetter, Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 545-549; C. Field, 1924, Vol. I, pp. 226-231; E. Fraser & L.G. Carr-Laughton, 1930, Vol. I, pp. 164-176; and P. Moore 2004.
An Edwardian silver pedestal bowl, Herbert Edwin Willis, London 1900, of circular form with waisted pedestal upon circular foot ring, height 5 cm, diameter 10 cm, together with a silver matchbox holder, Chester 1924, of rectangular hinged form, possibly Tresadern & Snellgrove, a silver matchbox cover, Birmingham, of rectangular form with foliate engraved decoration, an Edwardian silver oar pencil holder, Birmingham 1900, a leather cased cigarette case, an Edwardian silver and enamel napkin ring, William Hutton & Sons Ltd, London 1903, of circular form with green and blue enamel surrounding trailing motifs, height 3.5 cm, a George III silver serving spoon, Geo Smith & Wm Fearn, London 1795, six silver teaspoons, a silver preserve spoon, a silver sugar tongs and a silver medal, approximate gross weight 13.55 oz, (a Lot).
A collection of WWII medals and ephemera, belonging to Corporal Henry Price of the Royal Signals, the 43rd Devision of HQ130, including: The War Medal, The Defence Medal, The France and Germany Star and The 1939-1945 Star, with ribbons on bar, unnamed; a Soldier`s Service and pay book; a leave slip; a record of service card; a Class "A" Release Book; and an Outstanding Good Service certificate.
A George V Military Medal, awarded to 35217 Private George Young of the 12th/13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, with ribbon and death plaque. Private George Young was Born and enlisted in Alnwick, he was killed in action on the 21st March 1918 aged 20. The award for the Military Medal is published in the London Gazette 16th August 1917. He is buried in Gouzeaucourt, New British Cemetery, Nord, France. He is named on the Fifth Column of the Alnwick War Memorial,
A group of WWI period medals, including the British War Medal, the 1914-15 star, the Victory Medal, the Royal Naval Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, and the Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, with miniatures and ribbons, awarded to W.T. Engineer E.V. Haslam of the Royal Naval Reserves.
An Indian General Service Medal, struck in Calcutta, with Afghan N.W.F. 1919 clasp, awarded to 425 Gunner Alif, Division 1 Kashmir Munitions Battery, with ribbon; another, Royal Mint struck, with Waziristan 1921-24 clasp, awarded to 4178734 Fusilier D. Tallis of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, with associated ribbon; together with two others, also Royal Mint struck, with N.W.F. 1930-31 claps, awarded to 1064269 Gunner W.Cooke of the Royal Artillery; and 4445711 Private C. Bell of the Durham Light Infantry, with ribbons. (4)
A Queens South Africa Medal, 3rd type reverse, awarded to 4710 Private T Winter 20th Hussers, converted to a brooch; together with a set of four clasps, including, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 and 1902, with ribbon (no medal); and another, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1902, no ribbon (no medal).
A rare group of WWII and other medals, including the War Medal, the 1939-1945 star, the Atlantic Star, the France and Germany clasp, the Lloyds Medal for Bravery at sea and an MBE with famed certificate, awarded to Chief Officer Ernest Albert Small of the SS. Newminster 25th July 1940, all with ribbons, LMB and MBE cased, complete with medal box with address `EA Small Esq MBE, 46 Broughton Road, South Shields, Co Durham` and certificate; together with a pencil drawing of M.S. Wooler, by Robert E. Groves, captained by Small.
A George VI India General Service Medal with NWF 1936-37 clasp, awarded to 13364 Sepey Kashmir Khan 1-13 F.F. RIF with ribbon, together with another awarded to 10257 Sep Redi Khan.Kurram Militia, with ribbon; and a Service Medal of the Order of St John, to 2556 Corporal C. Beaumont Addison Co LY on Stella CL Co CPS No. 6 Dist SJA B1922, with ribbon. (3)
A group of four WWII medals, including the War Medal, the Defence Medal, the Africa Star and the Air efficiency award with clasp to spare AEA ribbon, the AEA amateur inscription `Ptt Off T. Sutton R.A.F.U.R`, all with ribbons, complete with original envelope to Flight Lieutenant T.Sutton of South Shields.
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