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John Rennie McKenzie Houston RSW (Scottish 1856-1932): Old Scotsman Smoking a Pipe, watercolour signed 29cm x 24cmCondition Report:Very good condition and strong colour, well presented - ready to hang.

SIX CHINESE CARVED JADE ITEMS. Comprising: a mottled jade pendant carved with a mythical beast, a pale jade carving of two fish, another with pierced scrollwork, a celadon jade pipe, a toggle-shaped pendant, a spinach coloured jade pendant of compressed form, incised with linear bands (6) Minor wear overall, otherwise in good order.

A collection of smoking pipe cutters and pipe tools, of various styles and sizes. (1 bag)

Five Unicorn and Roy Kirkham Toby jugs to include Nightwatchman, Town Clarke, two Shepard's and Man with pipe and dog. a/f (5)

Teisai Sencho (act.c.1830-50)Oiran opening a scrollColoured woodblock, 36cm by 24cmKatsukawa Shunsen (1762-c.1830)Standing beauty holding a samisen34cm by 22cmA Similar Woodblock A beauty holding a tobacco pipe37cm by 24cmFive Various Woodblocks, by Kitagawa Shikimaro, Kitagawa Utomoro, Utagawa Shikimaro, and two by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (8)Not examined out of frames. Some discolouration, fading, folds and creases. Display well. No visible tears.

A box of miscellaneous nails, copper pipe fittings, Marples mitre clamp, etc.

A box of plumbing items, copper pipe connectors, thermostats, rolls of pipe lagging etc.

FIGURAL XHOSA PIPE 19TH CENTURY, SOUTHERN AFRICA carved wood and lead, the long slender stem terminating in a finely carved human figure serving as the bowl, the male is shown nude, the hands held into the sides, with lead inlay indicating the waistband, necklace and armlets 57cm long Wills Cigarette and Tobacco Company Pipe Collection, England (ref 1233)Galerie Valluet, ParisBernice & Terry Pethica Collection, United KingdomPublished:Klopper, Nettleton and Pethica, The Art of Southern Africa, The Terence Pethica Collection 2007, n° 105 “Because the vocational training offered by German missionaries working in the Eastern Cape area often included training in metal in ay techniques, many of the pipes produced by Xhosa-speaking carvers sport inlaid details depicting items of adornment like armbands and beadwork that are stylistically typical for the region. Although the display of genitalia in the depiction of mature men is uncommon, the fact that this is an older man is suggested both through the stocky proportions of the figure and the possible allusion to a headring. The heading, which was developed into an elaborate art form among some communities from the southern Natal region, may also have been used intermittently in the Eastern Cape. A mark of marital status in the Zulu kingdom north of the Thukela river, it was a variable index of age and status among several other groups in the area. Pipes with figurative bowls are likely to have been commissioned by men rather than women. The latter generally smoked from elegantly proportioned but comparatively simple, long-stemmed pipes.” (Klopper, Nettleton and Pethica 2007).

MASSIM JANUS FIGURE ATTRIBUTED TO BANIEVA MILNE BAY PROVINCE, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, LATE 19TH - EARLY 20TH CENTURY carved wood, depicting two figures standing back to back, each smoking a pipe 38cm tall Private collection, London, United Kingdom, acquired from the belowTodd Barlin, Oceanic Arts Australia, Sydney Banieva, also known as Tauseuseuli (Lefthander), was a distinguished carver from Dagodagoisu Village in modern Milne Bay Province. In the field of New Guinea art, where the identities of many carvers remain unknown, both Banieva and his contemporary Mutuaga were celebrated as master carvers whose work has been admired and collected since the late 19th century. Notably, a photograph of Banieva taken in 1926 while carving exists, providing a rare visual record of the artist at work.Banieva’s carvings are characterised by a distinctive naturalistic style, exemplified by the present janus sculpture depicting two men smoking pipes back to back. This work demonstrates Banieva’s unique approach, where the hands are held to the chest with the wrists at unconventional angles, ending in imaginative fingers of different lengths. The expressive faces of the men, each engaged in smoking a pipe, showcase the highly individualistic and expressive style for which Banieva is renowned. His works have been widely exhibited and are part of collections in major museums and private holdings worldwide. 

TRIO OF TUTSI BASKETS RWANDA, EARLY 20TH CENTURY woven grass, of varying sizes, each with lids evoking an architectural form, all with diverse black geometric designs across the body (3) largest 19cm high Clive Loveless, London, United Kingdom Traditional Tutsi miniature baskets, known for their exquisite craftsmanship, embody both artistic refinement and cultural significance. These finely woven baskets, often featuring intricate geometric patterns in black and natural gold hues, reflect the striking conical roofs of traditional Tutsi houses. Their delicate construction required exacting skill, with women of the Tutsi elite using locally sourced fibres and natural black pigments to create visually dynamic compositions. Unlike larger utilitarian baskets used for storage, these miniatures served as prestigious gifts, safeguarding precious items like amulets, beads, or the master of the house’s pipe. 

XHOSA PIPE IN THE FORM OF A HORSE 19TH CENTURY, SOUTH AFRICA carved wood, the long stem terminating in a bowl in the form of a horse 74.5cm long Wills Cigarette and Tobacco Company Pipe Collection, England (ref 1232)Galerie Valluet, ParisBernice & Terry Pethica CollectionPublished:Klopper, Nettleton and Pethica, The Art of Southern Africa, The Terence Pethica Collection 2007, n° 104 “This elegantly proportioned horse, which doubles as a pipe bowl, is characterised by a lively sense of animation. The carver of this pipe, who was clearly attentive to the way sculptural forms can be manipulated to impart a feeling of vitality, established a subtle echo between the arc of the horse's neck and its slightly raised tail. Since the pipe is awkward to hold, the patron who bought it presumably did so because he was attracted to this sense of vitality in the treatment of the form.”(Klopper, Nettleton and Pethica 2007).

China.- Chinese Export School (19th century) Three scenes: Chinese nobleman on a palanquin; Young family dining at a table; Mother nursing, three works, opaque pigments on thin laid paper, each sheet approx. 320 x 440 mm (12 1/2 x 17 1/4 in), tipped onto paper support, some nicks and small losses, minor spotting and surface dirt, some surface abrasion, unframed, [early 19th century]; together with a small group of 12 various Chinese and Japanese prints and scraps, including a fine study of Chinese lady smoking a pipe, various sizes, all unframed [19th century] (c.15)

1970 Montesa 17M IppolitoRegistration number TUJ 697HFrame number 17M 29458Engine number 17M 29458Purchased 2022Not used for one yearEngine fitted with new bearings, seals and ringsNew stainless steel exhaust pipe and new seat cover All lots in this sale are sold as is and bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Please read our terms and conditionsWith V5C and VMCC certificateThis lot must be collected by 12.30pm on Friday 14th March. If the buyer has not collected by this time it will automatically be removed and placed into storage, incurring a removal charge of £60 + VAT. Combinations will be charged at £100 + VAT. Storage will then be charged at £10 + VAT per day or part thereof. If collecting from storage, please provide 24 hours notice

Tobacciana Collectables Inc Ashtray, Pipe, MCFC, Etc Joblot Please be aware due to transportation safety all lighters will have no fuel included Items are in previously owned condition and may require restoration/flints etc Signs of age & use See photographs

From the collection of Bristol 1904 Arts (formerly 'Bristol Savages') - Group of mainly mid 20th century Native American beadwork-decorated garments and accessories, to include: buckskin suede jacket, with beadwork decorated collar, tasselled hem and sleeves, four lozenges to reverse, 59cm (23") chest x 72cm long excluding tassels; pair of trousers, 44" waist x 30" inside leg; overskirt with beadwork (matching the jacket above) and attached sash with pouch terminal, 34" waist, 85cm long (ex. tassels); yoke, with feather, beadwork and fabric adornments, 97cm wide excluding fringed tasselling, sash; pair of suede gloves, possibly Chippewa, with long fringing above the floral beadwork cuffs, 34cm long; pair of Iroquois beadwork-decorated suede moccasins, 26.5cm long; pair of red wool and gingham chaps, 57cm long; drawstring bag decorated with 'earring' motifs, 28cm wide x 40cm high; plaited double pigtail wig, primitive stone axe or tomahawk, 14.5cm x 37cm; leather quiver, 27.5cm; pipe with feather and bead stem adornments, etc

After Etienne-Henri Dumaige, (French, 1830-1888) - Pair of patinated bronze military figures of soldiers, 20th century after the 19th century originals, comprising Avant de Combat Volontaire de 1792 and Apres de Combat Volontaire de 1792, the first with drum, the second smoking a pipe, each on naturalistic base bearing inscription E H DUMAIGE PARIS 1886 and black slate plinth, 69.5cm and smaller (2)

UNUSUAL & RARE VICTORIAN ENAMELLED METAL SHOWER BATH, three-quarter enclosed shower cubicle enclosing vertical shower rods, 'Shanks & Co.' tap and regulator, upon roll-top bath with lion's paw feet, 236 (h) overall x 183cms (l)Comments: later painted, drain pipe fitted, inspection advisedProvenance: The Cornelia Bayley Collection from Plas Teg, an important Jacobean house in Flintshire, North Wales Plas Teg: Once in a Generation Welsh House Clearance — Rogers Jones CoPlease note that images of items taken at Plas Teg might not be representative of the current condition of the object. Please enquire. Note: the auction lots are contained in a warehouse near Wrexham. Viewing can be arranged by appointment by calling Richard Hughes on 07593 181017. Purchased lots require collection by appointment once invoices are settled and strictly within ten days (maximum) from the auction date. Purchases which are not collected by this time will incur a charge of £50 per item per day. Please note that most HGV vehicles can enter the warehouse for convenient collection, but we do not offer assistance for heavy and large objects, please be prepared.

DUTCH STYLE MARQUETRY FOLD-OVER GAMES TABLE, rectangular fold-over top with flowering urn, scroll and bird marquetry revealing chess table and playing card decoration, hidden cupboard with game tokens, marquetry pipe decoration, secret long drawer to back right side, gate-action leg, raised on tapering legs, platform square feet, 75 (h) x 75 (w) x 37cms (d)Comments: some losses to marquetry top, colour fading in places, structurally sound though with some splits, cracking and warping, viewing recommendedProvenance: The Cornelia Bayley Collection from Plas Teg, an important Jacobean house in Flintshire, North Wales Plas Teg: Once in a Generation Welsh House Clearance — Rogers Jones CoNote: the auction lots are contained in a warehouse near Wrexham. Viewing can be arranged by appointment by calling Richard Hughes on 07593 181017. Purchased lots require collection by appointment once invoices are settled and strictly within ten days (maximum) from the auction date. Purchases which are not collected by this time will incur a charge of £50 per item per day. Please note that most HGV vehicles can enter the warehouse for convenient collection, but we do not offer assistance for heavy and large objects, please be prepared.

* Sampler. An early 19th century needlework by Emily White, 1825, neatly worked in cross stitch, satin stitch, and tent stitch, in black and coloured silks (mainly shades of green, blue, beige, yellow, and white), on a dark cream linen ground, with a symmetrical house flanked by large flower urns, each with two butterflies in flight above, lettered above 'Emily White Aged 11 the 8th of 12th Mo 1825', and below the house a shepherd playing a pipe and standing under a tree beside a seated shepherdess, with three white sheep and a black sheep, meandering floral border, a few tiny holes, mostly to border, 35 x 30 cm (13.75 x 11.75 ins), framed and glazed (42.5 x 37 cm) QTY: (1)NOTE:A rather unusual pictorial sampler, with its large formal house juxtaposed with the charming pastoral image below, perhaps indicating an adjoining parkland.

Collectables to include chemists pill making equipment; cased knurling tools, character pipe with horn finial, and others; blackthorn club or walking stick; opium scales etc.

A collection of brass pipe tampers, approx 28, most figural or with bust of historical figures, two booted leg examples and more

Curio collectors lot - various tins, match strikers pen knives, clay pipe, framed photograph (damaged), trench styled watch, other watches, and various other small items (Guide Price £30 to £50)

Early oil on canvas of Gentleman with pipe

Robert Whitehouse (1950-2024) - The Pipe Dream, oil on canvas, unsigned, unframed, 153cm x 138cm.

A collection of silver comprising; a set of six George V silver dessert spoons, hallmarked by CW Fletcher, Sheffield, 1927; a set of six George V silver teaspoons, hallmarked by James Dixon & Sons, Sheffield, 1914; a single George V silver fork, hallmarked by Wilmot Manufacturing Co, Birmingham, 1913; a Birmingham silver (filled) small posy vase, Birmingham, 1977, approx. 11.5cm high, and an Edwardian silver mounted pipe of curved shape, mounts hallmarked Birmingham, 1907/08, approx. 18cm long. (1 bag) Weight approx. 463 grams (14.8ozt) Further details: tarnishing, scratching and general wear; pipe dented, worn and tarnished.

Capo di Monte - three figures to include; Rag & Bone Man with certificate; Duck Seller with certificate, and a man smoking pipe with herdy-gerdy and dog beside him, no certificate. (3) Duck seller with crack running on base; minor loss to extremities.

Liberty & Co. An Early 20th Century Art Nouveau wall mounted pipe rack with copper panel. From Liberty & Co. 25.5x5x14cm

An Early/Mid 20th Century smokers pipe stand with copper stag. 20x17cm

RADIGUET RAYMOND: (1903-1923) French novelist and poet. An extremely rare Autograph Manuscript Signed, Raymond Radiguet, one page, 8vo (originally two oblong 8vo sheets of paper, neatly pasted together at the centre), n.p., n.d. (1919), in French. The manuscript, with a number of corrections and deletions, is entitled Allusions and is an article of appreciation for the artist Juan Gris, stating, in part, ´Juan Gris peint comme tous les peintres, c´est a dire sur de la toile ou du carton ou du bois. Ai-je dit qu´il ne differait pas des autres? Il y a toujours un certain secret professionnel, beaucoup de gens voudraient le connaitre. Moi, je ne pense pas que l´emotion ressentie devant un tableau soit due a la qualite des pinceaux ou des couleurs. Seul le resultat importe. Une route y mène qui s´appelle l´Esthetique......L´horizon est une ligne conventionelle.....Par conséquent rien a craindre, les voleurs ne sauront pas où se cacher. Quelqu´un prononce un mot. On repete: PRISON. Un seul avait entendu le PINSON qui pourtant chante nuit et jour. De même, chacun dit avoir son opinion sur la peinture. Mais tout le monde n´a pas raison. Juan Gris a vu la beaute de tous les jours de la semaine y compris le dimanche. La plus petite de ses natures mortes n´est pas une "etude". Il y a une pipe qu´on fume le soir. La derniere heure. Plus, une guitare; non c´est un violin. Comme tout classique, Gris a le souci des proportions. Je parle des veritables proportions qui sont dans l´esprit et non pas ce que le vulgaire nomme ainsi. Les cocktails sont supprimés. Quand je demande a boire il y a toujours le ciel, ou le siphon qui est de la meme couleur´ (Translation: ´Juan Gris painted like all painters, on canvas, cardboard or wood. Did I say that he was no different from the others? There's always a certain amount of professional secrecy, and many people would like to know. Personally, I don't think that the emotion felt in front of a painting is due to the quality of the brushes or the colours. All that matters is the result. There's a road that leads there, and it's called aesthetics.....The horizon is a conventional line.....So there's nothing to fear, thieves won't know where to hide. Someone says a word. It is repeated: PRISON. Only one had heard the PINSON, which sings day and night. Similarly, everyone says they have an opinion on the painting. But not everyone is right. Juan Gris saw beauty every day of the week, including Sunday. The smallest of his still lifes is not a ‘study’. There is a pipe being smoked in the evening. The last hour. Plus, a guitar; no, it's a violin. Like any classical painter, Gris is concerned with proportions. I am talking about the true proportions that are in the mind and not what the vulgar call them. There are no cocktails. When I ask for a drink, the sky or the siphon is always the same colour´). Autograph manuscripts of Radiguet are extremely rare as a result of his tragically early death at the age of 20 of typhoid fever. With a small red circular stamp at the base featuring the letters PAB to the centre. Some light age wear and an irregularly torn lower edge, not affecting the text or signature, GJuan Gris (1887-1927) Spanish Cubist painter, a friend of Radiguet.The present article was published in the March/April edition of the magazine Sic, founded and published by Pierre Albert-Birot (1876-1967) French avant-garde poet and dramatist who was a defender of Futurism and Cubism.

HENDRIX JIMI: (1942-1970) American rock guitarist and singer. A rare and highly attractive vintage signed 19.5 x 30 concert poster promoting a performance by the Jimi Hendrix Experience at the Fillmore Auditorium, 20th to 26th June (1967), the psychedelic screenprint poster, printed in blue, pink and orange against a metallic gold background, was designed by the British graphic design artists Michael English and Nigel Waymouth (Hapshash and the Coloured Coat) and features an image of Hendrix as a Native American chief with a hunting bow in one hand and a peace pipe in the other. Printed in England and published by Osiris Visions Ltd. of Westbourne Terrace, London (OA103; understood to be the third of four editions issued in the United Kingdom, with Yarrowstalks also obtaining a license to reprint the poster in America). Signed by Hendrix in black ink with his name alone to the base of the poster. A contemporary printed label from the art gallery Galerie de la Gravure (Malmo, Sweden) is neatly attached to the upper left corner and bears a handwritten note, in Swedish, indicating that Mrs. Platerud will collect it in hand. Rolled and with light overall surface creasing and a couple of small, minor tears to the edges. A very light, extremely minor stain only very slightly affects the conclusion of the signature, GProvenance: The poster was originally acquired by the Swedish collector of rock and pop posters, Ingeborg Platerud. In the late 1960s Platerud worked at the Sergelbokhandeln, a bookstore, and is understood to have obtained the signature when she met Hendrix at a nearby record store (Hendrix is known to have performed in Sweden in May and September of 1967, as well as January of both 1968 & 1969, and August 1970, just 19 days before his tragic death).

CRISP DONALD: (1882-1974) English actor, Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actor in 1941 for his role as Gwilym Morgan in How Green Was My Valley. A scarce vintage signed and inscribed sepia 7.5 x 9.5 photograph of the actor in a head and shoulders pose smoking a pipe. Photograph by Schuyler Crail and bearing his credit stamp to the verso. Signed by Crisp in bold green fountain pen ink to a light area at the head of the image. Some traces of former mounting to the verso, otherwise VG

[SHERLOCK HOLMES]: NEVILLE JOHN (1925-2011) English actor. Signed 8 x 10 photograph of Neville in a half-length pose, smoking a pipe, in costume as Sherlock Holmes from the British thriller film A Study in Terror (1965). Signed by Neville in bold blue fountain pen ink with his name alone to the head of the image. EX

BURNS GEORGE: (1896-1996) American comedian and actor, Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actor in 1975 for his role as Al Lewis in The Sunshine Boys. Signed 8 x 10 photograph, the original vintage Fosters´ Agency publicity portrait depicting Burns in a half-length pose and holding a pipe in one hand. Signed in black ink with his name alone to a light area at the head of the image. Some light, minor wrinkling, and a few corner creases. Together with two signed 8 x 10 photographs by two of the Academy Award nominees for Best Supporting Actor in 1975, comprising Brad Dourif (for his performance as Billy Bibbit in One Flew Over the Cuckoo´s Nest) and Chris Sarandon (for his performance as Leon Shermer in Dog Day Afternoon; the image depicting him in a close-up head and shoulders pose in costume from the film). Both are signed by the actors with their names alone to lighter areas of the images. G to VG, 3

FITZGERALD BARRY: (1888-1961) Irish actor, Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actor in 1944 for his role as Father Fitzgibbon in Going My Way. A good vintage signed sepia 8 x 10 photograph of Fitzgerald in a head and shoulders pose wearing a black cap and smoking a pipe. Photograph by the Vandamm Studio of New York and bearing their credit stamp to the verso. Signed by the actor in blue fountain pen ink across a largely lighter area of the background. A couple of very light, extremely minor surface and corner creases, VG

BRUCE NIGEL: (1895-1953) British character actor, remembered for his portrayal of Dr. Watson opposite Basil Rathbone in a series of Sherlock Holmes films. A goo vintage signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph, the image being a reproduction of a caricature of Bruce standing in a three-quarter length pose smoking a pipe and with his hands in his trouser pockets. Signed by Bruce in dark fountain pen ink to a clear area of the background and dated 1947 in his hand. A couple of very light, minor creases to one corner, VG

Two French Dinky Toys Commercial Vehicles, 893 Unic Sahara Tractor with Pipe carrier semi trailer, beige cab/chassis, white roof, beige wheel hubs, complete with six plastic pipes, in near mint original condition, with a good original box, some age/edge wear to box and 897 Willeme Log lorry, orange cab, yellow semi-trailer and concave hubs, log load, in mint original condition ,with a mint blue and white striped picture box (2 items)

A group of smoking pipes to include a 19th century Meerschaum carved pipe fashioned as a bearded gentleman with an amber mouth piece, possibly Turkish, together with a German deer carved wood and horn smoking pipe, along with others, together with an Art Deco Bakelite ashtrayLocation:If there is no condition report shown, please request

P Chan - portraits of and aged couple, the man smoking a pipe, oil paintings on board, signed lower right, 40.5 x 31.5, gilt framesLocation:If there is no condition report, please request.

A 19th century carved wooden nutcracker fashioned as a head, and a Meerschaum pipe Location:If there is no condition report shown, please request

Two blackthorn walking sticks, a hazel stick with burr elm handle, and twenty-seven others, a Chinese metal embossed and bamboo opium pipe, 8 1/2" long, and a 1930s leather expanding suitcase

20th Century copper card cased engraved " Made from Parts of one of the manganese Bronze Propellers and of a copper voice pipe taken from H.M.S. Birmingham when she was broken up in 1932" - H. S. Lecky (Captain 1917) , front engraved Ian C H B Lecky

λ ERNEST HOWARD SHEPARD (BRITISH 1879-1976) MOLE WITH PIPE Pencil 12 x 6.5cm (4½ x 2½ in.)Illustration for Bertie's Escapade by Kenneth Grahame, 1949. Provenance: Estate of the artist Sally Hunter Fine Art Ltd., London Private Collection (acquired from the above in December 1988) Exhibited: London, Sally Hunter Fine Art Ltd., E. H. Shepard, December 1988, no. 200

A plumbers pipe thread tool kit

A hose pipe extension, tree pruner etc

The magnificent ‘Dargai V.C. action’ D.C.M. pair awarded to Lance-Corporal Piper Patrick Milne, Gordon Highlanders who, ‘leading the Highland Pipers, was hit the moment he appeared at the head of them; and Piper Findlater, though shot through both legs, continued, while sitting on the ground, to play his pipes undauntedly’ Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (L/Corpl. Piper. P. Milne. Gord: High’rs.); India General Service 1895-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Chitral 1895, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (3711 Pr. P. Milne 1st Bn. Gord: Highrs.) mounted as worn, a couple of small edge bruises and light contact marks to the second, otherwise good very fine (2) £6,000-£8,000 --- D.C.M. Recommendation submitted to The Queen, 9 July 1898: 3711 L/Cpl. Piper P. Milne, 1 Gordon Highlanders. Dargai, 20 October, 1897, severely wounded. Two Victoria Crosses and seven Distinguished Conduct Medals were awarded to the Gordon Highlanders for gallantry in this action. The circumstances surrounding Lance-Corporal Piper Patrick Milne’s gallantry at Dargai are best described in his obituary notice published on March 6, 1943: ‘He Led Dargai Assault - Heroic Aberdeen Piper Who Won D.C.M. The piper who led the charge on the heights of Dargai in the nineties - when Piper Findlater won the V.C. - has died in Aberdeen. He was Mr Patrick Milne, 99 Don St., Aberdeen, and was awarded the D.C.M. for his bravery at Dargai. From Rawalpindi the Gordons battalion in which Mr Milne served was rushed to the Khyber Pass, where trouble had broken out. After a minor engagement, the big British attack began on the morning of October 20, 1897. The artillery opened fire at 8 a.m., and shortly afterwards the order was given for the Gordons to attack after three other regiments had failed. The Gordons fixed bayonets and broke into a cheer. Five pipers led the charhe, and foremost of them all was Lance-Corporal Patrick Milne playing “Cock o’ the North.” Piper Findlater fell, shot through the ankle, but continued to play, propped against a boulder - his tune was “The Haughs o’ Cromdale.” Half-way across the open ground Milne fell with a bullet through the lung. He crashed on top of his pipes, and the weight of his body caused the bag to emit a wail for quite a period. He heard the cheer that announced that the Gordons had captured the position. His life was despaired of for a time, but he pulled through. A curious mistake at first attributed Findlater’s plucky conduct to Milne, who was stated to have played as he lay on the ground with both ankles shattered. However, Milne quickly took steps to correct the error, and many times he expressed the hope that Findlater would be awarded the Victoria Cross. Indeed, there ensued an interesting tussle between the two, each trying to make out the other as the heor. Findlater insisted that all the credit was due to Milne, who led the charge, while Milne maintained the glory belonged to Findlater, who carried on after being so badly hurt. The Aberdeen piper lost his bagpipes on that occasion - they were probably picked up by the Afridis. He hailed from Ardoyne, near Insch, where his father was a small farmer. After a time as a farm servant, he joined the Gordon Highlander when 19. When stationed in Ireland he began to learn the pipes, and on going to India he joined the pipe band of the 1st Battalion. Mr Milne, who was 71 years of age, was for 37 years in the employment of the Customs and Excise in Aberdeen. He is survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter. The eldest son is in the Merchant Service, and the youngest is with the R.A.F. in the Middle East.’ Sold with Gordon Highlanders bonnet badge and several contemporary news cuttings concerning Piper Milne’s gallantry at Dargai.

A Lawson-Type Ether Saturator, Magic Lantern IlluminantEnglish, c.1880, unsigned but identical to those produced by Lawson, brass body with ether reservoir, oxygen pipe and shut off valve to rear, mechanical rotation of lime light holder, with adjustable jet,

A large collection of vintage and modern costume jewellery to include a white metal Middle Eastern pipe in the shape of a peacock, multicoloured vintage diamante necklace and bracelet, a retro Stratton tie clip, and other items Condition Report:No condition report available.

A WW1 medal group of three, awarded to S2SR-03330 Staff Sergeant R.B. Hagart, Army Service Corps, comprising 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal with Oak Leaf (Mentioned in Dispatches); together with a likely related miniature group of four (having the addition of the DSO), a silver-mounted tobacco pipe with barrel engraved with references to Hagart's war service and a period letter written by him; also a WW2 Defence Medal Condition Report:Available upon request

Collectors lot to include: vintage boxed Indian painted clay toy birds; two pairs of vintage spectacles, one box retailed CALCUTTA; two The Campden Whist Markers (one af); a cased Measham pipe with stag to bowl and amber tip (broken); an amber cheroot holder; white metal and niello vesta case (striker damaged); vintage binoculars with leather case; ceramic Woods Areca Nut Tooth Paste cover; a Tala painted money \ security box (Q)

Part of the Black Box Series, this second box figurine in the collection is a somber yet humorous tribute to animals lost to road accidents. The intricately crafted piece features a group of animals gathered on a cloud in heaven, bearing tire marks as evidence of their demise. Each creature, except the snake and Peter's visiting mouse, has been given angel wings. A hedgehog peeks out from beneath a badger clutching an exhaust pipe, while another badger holds the tail of a squirrel. A determined rabbit is poised to detonate a bomb hidden within the box, seeking revenge on the car that caused their fate. The inscription 'For Kelly' on the tail is a tribute to a beloved pet dog that once belonged to Peter's wife, adding a personal touch to this collectible figurine. This item has its original box. TJBB99.Artist: Peter CalvesbertDimensions: 2.75"HCountry of Origin: EnglandCondition: Age related wear.

The extremely rare Second War ‘V.C. action’ honorary D.S.M. group of eight awarded to Lieutenant E. Obelkevitch, United States Navy, who was decorated for his gallantry in the famous assault on Oran harbour in November 1942, when he saved numerous lives aboard the stricken ex-U.S. cutter H.M.S. Hartland Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Mr. E. Obelkevitch. Gnr. U.S.N. H.M.S. Hartland.) impressed naming; U.S.A., Medal for Military Merit; U.S.A., Purple Heart; U.S.A., Navy Long Service; U.S.A., Defense; U.S.A., Campaign; U.S.A., European, African and Middle East Campaign,with three bronze stars; U.S.A., War Medal, these seven American awards added for display purposes and mounted for display in precedence to the D.S.M., extremely fine (8) £4,000-£5,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Just 17 honorary awards of the D.S.M. were made to the United States Navy in the Second World War. Such awards were not gazetted but the original recommendation signed by Admiral of the Fleet ‘ABC’ Cunningham at Algiers on 13 October 1943 states: ‘On 8 November 1942, H.M.S. Hartland, flying the British and United States Ensigns, entered Oran under heavy fire in an attempt to prevent the sabotage of the port. Gunner Obelkevitch was leader of a boarding party. When this unit was wiped out by the explosion of a shell, he attempted to organise a hopeless attempt to extinguish the fires. His courage and initiative were an outstanding example and inspiration. He was ultimately instrumental in saving many lives of wounded men and remained on board after the deck was red hot and the ship in danger of blowing up at any moment.’ Edward Obelkevitch was born in Dickson City, Pennsylvania on 13 August 1900, and joined the United States Navy in December 1918. A Gunner (T.) by the time of the Second World War, he was appointed to command a boarding party from the ex-U.S. cutter H.M.S. Hartland in the famous attack on the port of Oran on 8 November 1942, for which action Captain F. T. Peters, D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N., overall commander of the operation in H.M.S. Walney, was awarded the Victoria Cross. Described as a ‘miniature Zeebrugge’ the assault on Oran resulted in terrible casualties, both Hartland and Walney being sunk by a torrent of point-blank fire. In his book The Turn of the Road, ex-naval officer Sir Lewis Ritchie describes the unfolding scene of carnage as Hartland came under withering fire, and pays tribute to Obelkevitch’s gallant deeds: ‘In the meanwhile, Hartland had been picked up in the searchlight and came under a devastating fire from the shore battery. The entire guns’ crews were wiped out and a steam pipe was severed, drowning everything in the noise of escaping steam. The Captain was temporarily blinded by a splinter and wounded in the leg, and before he could recover, Hartland struck the breakwater. Regaining the sight of one eye, he put the engines astern and manoeuvred his ship through the entrance, heading her for the appointed objective; this brought Hartland under point-blank fire from a French destroyer. Shells burst in the motor-room and all power failed; they also burst in the spaces where troops were waiting assembled to land, transforming them into a shambles. With fires raging fore and aft, Hartland’s way carried her alongside the mole. Lieutenant-Commander Dickey, U.S.N., calling on his men to follow him, leaped ashore to attempt to seize a trawler alongside. Only one unwounded man was able to follow him. The dead lay heaped so thick on the upper deck that the wounded could not get at the hoses to fight the fires. The First Lieutenant, Lieutenant V. A. Hickson, R.N., made a gallant effort to pass a wire ashore, but there was no one left to man it effectively. The wind now caught the ship and she began to drift helplessly out into the harbour. Lieutenant Hickson blundered forward through a tempest of machine-gun bullets and let go the anchor. The flames, funnel-high, lit the White Ensign and “Old Glory” at peak and masthead above the careless sprawling dead, and tinged the smoke rolling away to leeward across the quiet waters of the harbour with a fierce and bloody glare. As if appalled at the sight of this blazing sacrifice, the French at last ceased fire. Then, and not until then, Lieutenant-Commander Billot gave the order to abandon ship. The deck was red hot: blinded with blood and twice more wounded, he clung to the rail, summoning strength to leave the ship. Lieutenant E. G. Lawrence, R.N.V.R., and Gunner Obelkevitch, U.S.N., who had fought the fires almost single-handed to the last, swam ashore, seized the French trawler’s dingy by force, paddled her with floorboards back to where their Captain clung to a scramble net. They hauled him into the boat and he urged them in a whisper to pull for the open sea and freedom. He was fainting from his wounds; they had only the floorboards with which to row and were covered in every direction by rifles and machine-guns … they were taken prisoner as they landed.’ Obelkevitch was held by the Vichy-French until the advancing Allies liberated him a few days later, following which he was promoted to Chief Gunner and awarded the British D.S.M. A qualified diver, he was subsequently commissioned Lieutenant and served out the war as a salvage officer. Obelkevitch retired from the U.S. Navy in April 1949, and died in California in March 1971. Sold with extensive copied research.

The scarce Great War D.S.C. group of five awarded to Acting Flight Commander C. C. ‘Jumbo’ Carlisle, Royal Naval Air Service, late Merchant Navy, one of the more unusual characters of ‘The Spider Web’ Sea-plane Flight at Felixstowe Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., the reverse hallmarked London 1917; 1914-15 Star (Flt. S. Lt. C. C. Carlisle, R.N.A.S.); British War and Victory Medals (Flt. Cr. C. C. Carlisle. R.N.A.S.); Denmark, Medal for Heroic Deeds, silver, mounted as worn, good very fine (5) £1,400-£1,800 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Butterfield’s Auction, U.S.A., June 2000. D.S.C. London Gazette 1 May 1918: ‘For zeal and devotion to duty between 1 July and 31 December 1917.’ The original recommendation states: ‘This officer has served on this station [R.N.A.S. Felixstowe] since August 1915 and has been consistent in carrying out his varied duties in a thorough and capable manner. I consider his influence on this station to have been highly valuable to the Service and most deserving of recognition.’ Cyril Campbell Carlisle was born in Liverpool on 14 March 1880, and originally served in the Merchant Navy, having been apprenticed to Nicholson & McGill in February 1896. He was awarded the Norwegian Medal for Heroic Deeds in respect of the rescue of the crew of the barque Varuna in 1902 and he gained his 1st Mate’s Certificate in the following year. His subsequent Master’s Certificate was obtained at Victoria, British Columbia, Canada in August 1906, but on joining the Royal Naval Air Service in May 1915, he listed his current employment as that of a manager of a petroleum company in West Africa. Having undertaken pilot training at R.N.A.S. Chingford - seemingly without success, one report stating ‘he will never improve as a pilot’ - Carlisle was posted to R.N.A.S. Felixstowe for duty as ‘senior watch keeper and motor boats’ in January 1916. Subsequently described as ‘an exceptional officer with great ability to command,’ he was advanced to Flight Lieutenant in October 1916 and given charge of ‘seaplane lighters and motor boats.’ And apart from his detachment to Houton Bay ‘in connection with the America Seaplane’ in April 1917, he appears to have remained likewise employed until the war’s end. Having been advanced to Acting Flight Commander in March 1918, he transferred to the Royal Air Force in the rank of Captain and served in 70 Wing and in France. Carlisle emigrated to Canada in the 1920s but died back in the U.K. at Brighton, Sussex, in July 1969. A much liked and unusual character, some of Cyril Carlisle’s antics are recounted in The Spider Web, The Romance of a Flying-Boat War Flight, by ‘P.I.X.’, published in 1919, an amusing account of R.N.A.S. Felixstowe during the war, but, as the following extracts might illustrate, ‘Jumbo’ had an important part to play: ‘C. C. Carlisle, the Old Man of the Sea, or Jumbo, as he was called, because of his appearance and methods on the football field, was an institution on the station. He was in charge of the working party which did all the pulley-hauley work, and of the piratical crews of the motor-boats who looked after the flying- boats when they were on the water of the harbour. He had all sorts of fascinating model sheerlegs and derricks for training his men, and on occasion headed the salvage crew or the wrecking gang. He was a merchant service officer who had spent thirteen years at sea, part of the time fetching oil from Patagonia, and it was rumoured that he had also fetched from that salubrious spot his picturesque language. Some weekend trippers to Felixstowe, standing outside the barbed wire enclosing the beach, after watching and hearing, with eyes popping out and ears flapping, the unconscious Jumbo handling a working party bringing In the Porte Baby, wrote an anonymous letter to the Commanding Officer complaining of the earache, and adding, “it was Sunday too." This effusion was signed " A Disgusted Visitor." It was quite evident that the writer had never been with our armies in Flanders.’ ‘The new year [1918] opened badly. On the 2nd, in a thirty-knot wind, Gordon took off the harbour in a new type boat. As he rose from the water a petrol pipe failed, and not having height to turn he landed her outside down wind. She touched the water at a rate of knots, her bottom split open, and she sank in shallow water. Before she sank Gordon and his crew were taken off by a motor-boat. The Old Man of the Sea organised a salvage party. Jumbo boiled about in the sheds setting alight his trusty henchmen, and collected an amazing assortment of wire cables, ropes, balks of timber, flares, anchors, and what else I know not. The station tug Grampus, the steam hissing from her safety-valve through the zeal of her fireman (for the usual unexciting job of the crew was to bring bread and beef from Shotley, and this was an adventure), took the O.M.O.T.S.'s pet, the flat- bottomed salvage barge, in tow. They took it out and anchored it to windward of the wreck, but nothing further could be done until low water, which was at nine o'clock. In the darkness of the night, in the shadow of the sheds, Jumbo collected his piratical crew and packed them into the Grampus. I asked to be taken along, and we all shoved out through the guardships into the open sea. We could not get near the barge owing to the shallow water, and Jumbo forsook us, climbing with five of his satellites into a small dinghy, which, perilously overloaded, bobbed away over the heavy sea into the darkness. A long wait. The tug was rolling and tossing in the steep waves. A drizzling rain was falling. There were no shore lights, and the night was pitch-black. And then there was a glare of light in the distance, Jumbo had lit one of the acetylene flares on the stern of the salvage barge. The glare increased, and presently a light came bobbing over the water towards the tug, - it was a lantern in the bow of the dinghy. I climbed across and was ferried to the scene of activity. It was a weird sight. Five hissing acetylene flares surrounded the wreck with a fierce glow. Intense darkness all around, and in the brilliant pool of light a section of tossing waves, the flying-boat with her lower wings showing on the surface of the water, and the oilskin-clad men working on her. The wind was dying down, and as the tide fell the force of the waves was broken by the shoals over which they had already passed and by the barge. Jumbo took a short wire rope, with a wire hawser attached midway between the two ends, and had it worked down from the bow beneath the flying-boat. The ends were made fast to the engine bearer-struts, the men tying the knots under water, as the tide was now rising. Other men had made and fitted a wire sling for each engine, and to these two lines were made fast and taken to the barge. The slack in the wire hawser and the two lines was hauled in, and as the incoming tide raised the barge the flying-boat was lifted clear of the bottom. As soon as the water was deep enough Jumbo had the anchor heaved up and two motor-boats took the barge in tow. The flying-boat, supported on the surface by its lower wings moving through the water, followed after. It was towed by the two lines attached to the engines, the wire bridle under the bow preventing it nose-diving. The Old Man of the Sea processioned into the harbour in triumph. First the Grampus, then the two motor-boats, then the barge, and finally the flying-boat....

The scarce Great War D.S.C. and Bar group of five awarded to Lieutenant-Commander Reginald Allen, Royal Naval Reserve, who won his D.S.C. in the Gallipoli landings of April 1915, and his Bar for services in Q-ships Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., the reverse hallmarked London 1916, with Second Award Bar; 1914-15 Star (Mid. R. Allen, R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals, with small M.I.D. oak leaves (S.Lt. R. Allen. R.N.R.); Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, G.V.R., the reverse hallmarked London 1928, mounted as worn, good very fine (5) £3,000-£4,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2001. D.S.C. London Gazette 14 March 1916: ‘Probationary Midshipman Reginald Allen, H.M.S. Europa. For services performed under shell fire on the beaches and in steam boats off the beaches.’ Also commended for service in action during the operations in Gallipoli, April 1915-January 1916. Bar to D.S.C. London Gazette 17 November 1917: ‘Sub. Lieutenant, D.S.C., R.N.R. For services in action against enemy submarines.’ For the possible destruction of an enemy submarine by the Q-ship Chagford. One of only approximately 92 bars to the D.S.C. awarded during the Great War. The following extract is taken from Q Ships and their Story by E. Keble Chatterton: “In the spring of 1917 there was a 2,905-ton steamship, called the Bracondale, in the employment of the Admiralty as a collier. It was decided that she would make a very useful Q-ship, so at the beginning of April she was thus commissioned and her name changed to Chagford. She was fitted out at Devonport and armed with a 4-inch, two 12-pounders, and a couple of torpedo tubes, and was ready for sea at the end of June. Commanded by Lieutenant D. G. Jeffery, R.N.R., she proceeded to Falmouth in order to tune everything up, and then was based on Buncrana, which she left on August 2 for what was to be her last cruise, and I think that in the following story we have another instance of heroism and pertinacity of great distinction. Chagford’s position on August 5 at 4.10 a.m. was roughly 120 miles north-west of Tory Island, and she was endeavouring to find two enemy submarines which had been reported on the previous day. At the time mentioned she was herself torpedoed just below the bridge, and in this one explosion was caused very great injury: for it disabled both her torpedo tubes and her 4-inch gun; it shattered the boats on the starboard side as well as the Captain’s cabin and chart room. In addition, it also wrecked all the voice-pipe connections to the torpedo tubes and guns, and it flooded the engine-room and put the engines out of commission, killing one of the crew. Lieutenant Jeffery therefore ‘abandoned’ ship [i.e. sent off the panic party], and just as the boats were getting away two periscopes and a submarine were sighted on the starboard side 800 yards away. As soon as the enemy came to the surface fire was opened on her by the two 12-pounders and both Lewis and machine-guns, several direct hits being observed. The submarine then dived, but at 4.40 a.m. she fired a second torpedo at Chagford, which hit the ship abaft the bridge on the starboard side. From the time the first torpedo had hit, the enemy realised that the Chagford was a warship, for the 4-inch gun and torpedo tubes had been made visible, and now that the second explosion had come Lieutenant Jeffery decided to recall his boats so that the ship might genuinely be abandoned. The lifeboat, dinghy, and a barrel raft were accordingly filled, and about 5.30 a.m. the enemy fired a third torpedo, which struck also on the starboard side. Having sent away in the boats and raft everyone with the exception of himself and a Lieutenant, R.N.R. [James S. Hely], two sub-lieutenants, R.N.R. [Reginald Allen, D.S.C., and George E. Martin], also an assistant paymaster, R.N.R. [Harry Manley], and one petty officer [E. A. Edgecombe], Lieutenant Jeffery stationed these in hiding under cover of the fo’c’sle and poop, keeping a smart look-out, however, through the scuttles. Here was another doomed ship rolling about in the Atlantic without her crew, and only a gallant handful of British seamanhood still standing by with but a shred of hope. To accentuate their suspense periscopes were several times seen, and from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. a submarine frequently appeared on the surface at long range, and almost every hour a periscope passed round the ship inspecting her cautiously. During the whole of this time Chagford was settling down gradually but certainly. At dark Lieutenant Jeffery, fearing that the enemy might attempt boarding, placed Lewis and Maxim guns in position and served out rifles and bayonets to all. Midnight came, and after making a further examination of the damage, Lieutenant Jeffery realized that it was impossible for the Chagford to last much longer, for her main deck amidships was split from side to side, the bridge deck was badly buckled, and the whole ship was straining badly. Therefore, just before half-past midnight, these five abandoned the ship in a small motor-boat which they had picked up at sea some days previously, but before quitting Chagford they disabled the guns, all telescopic sights and strikers being removed. Having shoved off, they found to their dismay that there were no tanks in the motor-boat, so she had to be propelled by a couple of oars, and it will be readily appreciated that this kind of propulsion in the North Atlantic was not a success. They then thought of going back to the ship, but before they could do so they were fortunately picked up at 7.30 a.m. by H.M. trawler Saxon, a large submarine having been seen several times on the horizon between 4 and 7 a.m. The trawler then proceeded to hunt for the submarine, but, as the latter had now made off, volunteers were called for and went aboard Chagford, so that by 4 p.m. Saxon had commenced towing her [Sub-Lieutenant Allen was again amongst the volunteers on this occasion]. Bad luck again overcame their efforts, for wind and sea had been steadily increasing, and of course there was no steam, so the heavy work of handling cables had all to be done by hand. Until the evening the ship towed fairly well at 2 knots, but, as she seemed then to be breaking up, the tow rope had to be slipped, and just before eight o’clock next morning (August 7) she took a final plunge and disappeared. The Saxon made for the Scottish coast and landed the survivors at Oban on the morning of the eighth. In this encounter, difficult as it was, Chagford had done real service, for she had damaged the submarine so much that she could not submerge, and this was probably U-44 which H.M.S. Oracle sighted in the early hours of August 12 off the north coast of Scotland, evidently bound to Germany. Oracle chased her; U-44 kept diving and coming to the surface after a short while. She had disguised herself as a trawler and was obviously unable to dive except for short periods. Oracle shelled and then rammed her, so that U-44 was destroyed and Chagford avenged.” Lieutenant Jeffery was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, while Sub-Lieutenant Allen got a Bar to his Distinguished Service Cross, and Sub-Lieutenant Martin and Assistant Paymaster Manley both received the Distinguished Service Cross. Reginald Allen was born at Warrington in 1895, was appointed Midshipman, Royal Naval Reserve, on 15 August 1911, and in September 1914 was serving aboard the armed merchant cruiser Teutonic. In January 1915 he transferred to the battleship Triumph and would appear to have been one of the survivors from that ship when she was torpedoed and sunk by a...

The outstanding Great War D.S.C., D.F.C. group of six awarded to Captain B. A. Millson, Royal Air Force, late Mercantile Marine and Royal Naval Air Service; after being decorated by the Czar for his good work on the Archangel run as a Third Officer in the Mercantile Marine in 1915, he qualified as a pilot and flew at least 64 raids at night in Handley Pages, often with resultant damage from anti-aircraft fire Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., the reverse hallmarked London 1917; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. B. A. Millson, R.A.F.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (Bertie A. Millson); Russia, Empire, Medal for Zeal, Nicholas II, gold, the first two on original investiture brooches, the last mounted for wear and all lightly stitched together contemporarily for display, minor contact marks, otherwise nearly extremely fine (6) £6,000-£8,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Bonhams, March 2004. D.S.C. London Gazette 17 April 1918: ‘For skill and courage in carrying out two successful bombing raids on Bruges Docks on the night of 17th-18th February 1918. He has taken part in many night bombing raids flying Handley-Pages.’ D.F.C. London Gazette 8 February 1919: ‘This officer has carried out 64 raids at night, displaying at all times great perseverance in reaching the objective and marked gallantry in attack, notably on the night of 3rd-4th October, when he twice raided an important railway junction, dropping his bombs with skill and precision from 800 feet, obtaining direct hits, and causing serious damage. On the night in question no other machine bombed from a height of less than 4,000 feet owing to the very heavy hostile fire.’ Bertie Arthur Millson was born in Wimbledon, Surrey on 3 December 1892, and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in February 1909. Just over two years later, however, he purchased his discharge and embarked on a career in the Mercantile Marine. By the opening stages of the Great War, he was serving as Third Officer of the Cunard Line’s S.S. Thracia, which ship was commandeered to deliver vital war materials to Russia. In common with other ships on the Archangel run, she became trapped in the ice in the Spring of 1915, and had to be taken in tow by H.M.S. Jupiter after being freed by means of explosive charges. Here, then, the occasion on which Millson clearly distinguished himself, an accompanying translation of the royal decree for his Russian decoration stating: ‘The Chapter of the Imperial and Royal Orders hereby testify that His Imperial Russian Majesty has conferred on 23 April 1915, on Millson, a British subject, and Third Officer of the S.S. Thracia, a gold Medal with the inscription ‘For Faithful Service.’ The Medal is to be worn on the breast with the ribbon of St. Anne.’ (Contemporary copy translation included with Lot). In May 1916, Millson came ashore to pursue a new career in naval aviation and was posted to the Royal Naval Air Service training establishment at Cranwell, where, in August, he gained his aviator’s certificate in a Maurice Farman Biplane. Having then attended a Handley Page course at Manston, he was drafted to No. 3 Wing in France in January 1917, but his cross-Channel flight ended in a crash-landing, in which he received multiple injuries, and he was evacuated home via No. 7 Stationary Hospital at Boulogne. A spell at R.N.H. Haslar ensued, followed by a night flying course back at Manston, and he returned to an operational footing in No. 3 Wing in June 1917. His subsequent active service record, enacted over 18 months and comprising at least 64 sorties in Handley Page bombers was of an exceptional nature. A detailed record of the first 23 of those sorties is contained in his opening pilot’s flying log book, covering the period June-December 1917, and from which, by way of example, the following entries have been extracted: 21-22 July 1917: ‘Raid on Middlekerque dumps. Visibility very poor indeed (no moon). Held in searchlights for 15 minutes. Anti-aircraft fierce and very accurate. No results observed because of searchlight glare. One hit through port upper plane extension and three through fuselage.’ 3-4 September 1917: ‘Raid on Bruges Docks. Attacked from the southward and took a line from S.W. to N.E. The line was observed to straddle the submarine assembling works on the south side of the docks. All bombs exploded. Visibility excellent. Anti-aircraft fire plentiful and accurate. Machine hit once.’ 1-2 October 1917: ‘Raid on Zeebrugge Lock Gates. Crossed the coast from land to sea at 6,000 ft. over Nieuport and approached Zeebrugge from seaward. Arrived over the Mole at 7.000 ft. and started to glide over the lock gates. The line started a bit short but the last three bombs exploded in the close vicinity of the north gate. No actual result could be seen owing to the intense glare of about 10 searchlights, which found and held the machine. Both gun layers kept up a continuous machine-gun fire while we were held in the searchlights. Anti-aircraft fire very plentiful and very accurate. Machine was hit in three places.’ Advanced to Flight Lieutenant in January 1918 and awarded the D.S.C. for his part in a brace of strikes against Bruges docks in February 1918, Millson was re-mustered in the rank of Captain in the newly created Royal Air Force in April 1918. He subsequently served with ongoing distinction as a Flight Commander in No. 207 Squadron from June 1918 until the war’s end, a period of gallant service that resulted in the award of his D.F.C. One example of that gallantry, as cited in an obituary notice, states: ‘On the night of 18-19 July 1918, whilst approaching Valenciennes Railway Junction, he had the petrol pipe of his machine shot away, causing the petrol to pour out of the top tank and rendering the machine in a highly inflammable condition. Notwithstanding these trying circumstances, he continued to take his machine to the objective, over which he made two runs and bombed at 600 feet, getting a direct hit.’ Placed on the Unemployed List after the Armistice, Millson rejoined the Cunard Line and obtained his Master’s certificate in June 1919. And he remained in the Merchant Navy until 1937, when he took up an appointment as an instructor at the School of Air Navigation at R.A.F. Manston. That appointment proved short-lived, however, for he died suddenly at home on 15 August 1937. Sold with the recipient’s original Royal Naval Air Service Pilot’s Flying Log Book, commencing with training flights in June 1916 and ending with operational sorties in December 1917; together with the R.A..F Manston Quarterly of September 1937 containing his obituary notice with portrait photograph.

A mid 19th century German papier-mâché vagabond, possibly a veteran, with hooked nose, thin beard around jawline, cloth hat, brown jacket with two rows of brass buttons, overcoat, sack over one shoulder, holding long clay pipe and on wooden base —9 ¾in. (25cm.) high (slight damage)

An early 20th century Erzgebirge miner smoker, turned, carved and painted wooden man in ceremonial uniform smoking pipe, opens at waist to place incense pyramid, circular base and paper label to underside ‘Gustav Kretzschmar - Drogen, Parfumerien, Chemicalien - Dresden - A. Bismmackplatz’ —6 ½in. (16cm.) high

An early 20th century paper printed woodworker squeak toy, two-dimensional man smoking a pipe, sawing a log on saw horse, when a squeaker is pressed he moves backwards and forwards sawing —7in. (18cm.) high (discoloured and squeaker inoperative)

A mid 19th century Thüringen smoking man nodder, papier-mâché with cloth cap, white shirt, open brown waistcoat, smoking a long clay pipe, another hand behind his back, green breeches and painted circular wooden base —6 ¾in. (17cm.) high (crazing, repaired at wrist and ankles)

A mid 19th century Thüringen smoking gypsy woman nodder, the seated papier-mâché figure looking to the side with brown eyes, articulated jaw, brown wavy hair in red headscarf, red cloak, arm resting on knee holding a pipe, pale blue dress painted with yellow and orange clouds, barefooted with a pair of red and green slippers at her feet, on grassy mound and wooden base —7in. (18cm.) high (slight good restoration)

Four early to mid-20th century German Black Forest carved wooden bear ornaments pair bear pipe rests/ match box holders (4)