| Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd > Auction 134 | Auction date: 21 November 2023 |
| Lot number: 2825 Price realized: Unsold | |
| Lot description: Pair to Chaplain-General AIF: Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) (Civil but war related); British War Medal 1914-18. First medal unnamed, Chap-General. J.L.Rentoul. A.I.F. on second medal. Named medal impressed. Extremely fine. OBE (Civil): London Gazette 19/10/1920, p10096 - for services in or for certain of the Overseas Dominions, and in connection with the War, to The Right Reverend John Laurence Rentoul, M.A., Moderator Presbyterian Church, Chaplain-General Australian Imperial Force. In a very large article on the death of Rev. Rentoul published in The Argus, Melbourne on Friday 16 April 1926, p11, it is stated that this honour was conferred on him on the advice of Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, the Governor General of Australia, which is notable considering that Reverend Rentoul was, in Australia, the most outstanding and fearless opponent of the South African War. The Very Reverend John Laurence Rentoul M.A, D.D., Professor at Ormond College, Melbourne, Victoria, age 69, born at Garvagh, Londonderry, Ireland; appointed Chaplain 1st Class and Chaplain General (Presbyterian), Australian Military Forces 01Dec1913; Enl.16Aug1916 in AIF, Chaplain's Dept; Emb.16Aug1916 for official inspection visit and on voyage was Transport Officer; to camp at Salisbury Plains, England followed by tour of operational areas in France and Flanders where he was under fire at Ypres; admitted to 14th General Hospital at Boulogne, France 31Oct1916 with severe bronchitis; RTA 26Dec1916 and arrived 09Mar1917; Appt terminated 09Mar1917; on Reserve List in 1920; Chaplain General Rentoul delivered the address for the Anzac Memorial Service at Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1920. On 7 December 1926, eight months after his father's death, Chaplain-General Rentoul's son wrote to the OIC Records, 8 Military District requesting an unclaimed Peace Medal to his father be forwarded to his mother. This appears to be the 1919 Peace medalet that was issued to all Australian school children (see item with this lot). The OIC Records replied that the British War Medal was Chaplain General Rentoul's only medal entitlement. John Laurence Rentoul was born in Ireland, the son and grandson of Presbyterian ministers, the family being originally from Perth, Scotland. He was educated at Queen's College, Belfast graduating B.A. in 1867 and M.A. with first class honours a year later. He undertook postgraduate studies in theology at Leipzig, Germany and was ordained a minister in the Presbyterian Church of England in 1872. He was married to Annie Isobel Rattray at Southport on 30 October 1878. He was nominated by another preacher, Oswald Dykes, for the position of Minister of St George's, East St Kilda, Melbourne. He and his wife left for Australia arriving in 1879. When he arrived in Australia there was a bitter battle within the Presbyterian Church in Victoria between two groups along theologian lines. Reverend Rentoul was outspoken towards one side of the debate and during this dispute he was able to secure one of two available appointments as a professor to the theological hall at Ormond College, Melbourne, mainly because his views aligned with those of the college. He became principal of the theological hall in 1906 and remained there until his death, lecturing in the mornings, attending to pastoral matters and answering correspondence. He was an advocate for various causes, for example he supported Home Rule for Ireland during the 1890s and delivered the St Patrick's Day address in Melbourne in 1901, he campaigned against Australian involvement in the South African War, and in WWI he became Chaplain General in the AIF and was an advocate for conscription. In spite of his views, he nonetheless went to the defence of several of his theological students who were threatened with expulsion from Ormond College because they refused to enlist. Reverend Rentoul was a proponent of Federation but insisted that the constitution should recognise God. He also campaigned for scripture to be taught in government schools and through the Victorian Peace and Humanity Society he urged that the nation should use love and charity to provide guidance and help to the poor, the criminal, the Aborigine and workers. His portrait hangs in Ormond College. Reverend John Laurence Rentoul died on 15April 1926 after collapsing at Spencer Street Station in Melbourne and is buried at St Kilda Cemetery. Included with the lot is the WWI Certificate of Discharge of Reverend Rentoul's son, John Noel Rentoul, who was assessed as Medically Unfit before he had served. After John enlisted on 10 August 1915 representations were made to the Minister of Defence and these went down the line to the appropriate personnel in the Army and he was subsequently classified as medically unfit and discharged on 24 August 1915. The representations referred to the fact that John had a wife and child totally dependent upon him, also that he had an accident some years earlier that left him with a bad knee and that if he was injured during war service and unable to support his family, the task would fall upon his father, Reverend Rentoul, who was of an advanced age and already supporting his other son, Ormond, who unfortunately had lost his mind and was incapable of working, requiring an attendant to look after him. With copy of London Gazette and research by Mostly Unsung. Estimate: 2000 AUD |  |
Match 1:
| Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd > Auction 134 | Auction date: 21 November 2023 |
| Lot number: 3019 Price realized: 110 AUD (Approx. 72 USD / 66 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Great Britain, Miniature Group of Five: Companion of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire (type 2); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19 with MID; Jubilee Medal 1935, court mounted; WWI Memorial Scroll named to 'L'Cpl. William Andrew Dunlop, Royal Fusiliers'. A few ribbons damaged on the group, otherwise good very fine, the scroll laminated but with foxing around the edges where it has been in a frame, otherwise fine. (group + 1) Estimate: 150 AUD |  |
Match 2:
| Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd > Auction 134 | Auction date: 21 November 2023 |
| Lot number: 2657 Price realized: 2,600 AUD (Approx. 1,707 USD / 1,562 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: CB Group of Four: The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Companion breast badge with brooch bar suspender; India General Service Medal 1854-95, - two clasps - Burma 1885-7, Burma 1887-89; Afghanistan Medal 1878-80; Coronation Medal 1911. First order unnamed as issued, Major F.W.Hemming 5th Dn Gds on second medal, Capt: F.W.Hemming. 5th D G. Gds on third medal, last medal unnamed. The named medals engraved, the second in script style. Heavy contact marks on the second and third medals, otherwise fine - extremely fine. Ex Barry Hibbard Collection from Status International Sale 256 (lot 9668). CB: Supplement to LG 23/5/1900, p3327 - Colonel (temporary Major-General) Frederick Wilson Hemming, Commanding Cavalry Brigade, Aldershot (temporarily). An obituary published in The Times, London read as follows. 'Major-General Frederick Wilson Hemming, C.B., who died at Brighton yesterday at the age of 84, was a cavalry officer of the old school, whose manners were as perfect as his seat on a horse. A veteran of the Second Afghan War, he was not a Staff College graduate, but qualified for staff employment by service in the field. From the number of personal appointments he held at different times he might have been described in his younger days as the perfect A.D.C. The son of Mr. F.Hemming, late of Lisar-hall, Londonderry, and Merrywood, Somerset, he was born in August, 1850, and after leaving Clifton purchased a cornetcy in the 4th Hussars in April, 1868. He joined his regiment in India and got his first step in October, 1871. In June, 1877, he became A.D.C. to Lieutenant-General F.F.Maude, V.C. - father of Sir Stanley Maude, the victor of Baghdad in the Great War - in the Bengal Command, and accompanied him on active service when the Second Afghan War began in 1878. Thus he was in the two Bazar Valley expeditions and gained brevet majority after having been promoted captain into the 5th Dragoon Guards in October, 1878. He rejoined his regiment at home at the end of 1879, and from April to December, 1881, was A.D.C. to Sir Henry Havelock-Allan, then commanding a brigade at Aldershot. In April, 1882, he went to the Eastern District as A.D.C. to Major-General Sir H.H.Clifford, V.C., but in September he returned to Aldershot on appointment in a similar capacity to the staff of Brigadier-General H.Rowlands, V.C. In March, 1883, he returned once more to regimental duty and received his promotion to major in December, again becoming A.D.C. to General Rowlands when the latter took over command in Madras in April, 1884. From December, 1885, to February, 1886, he was staff officer for Intelligence duties with the forces engaged in Upper Burma, and was then appointed Military Secretary to Sir C.G.Arbuthnot, Commander-in-Chief, Bombay, and afterwards Commander-in-Chief, Madras. Nevertheless Major Hemming saw more service in Burma, 1887-9, being twice mentioned in dispatches for his services there and gaining another brevet. In March, 1891, he left Madras and was promoted brevet colonel in December, 1894, going on half-pay in January, 1897. In the following March, however, he reached the substantive rank of colonel, and was appointed military attach� at Tokyo, but reverted to the half-pay list again in June, 1898. In October 1899 at the outbreak of the South African War, he gained command of the South-Eastern District Cavalry Brigade, and in February, 1900, that of the 1st Cavalry Brigade at Aldershot. The whole of this period was chiefly devoted to the training of the recruits who passed through the reserve squadrons and regimental depots. In 1900 he was created a C.B. He spent from April, 1903, to September, 1906, on half-pay, and then retired from the Army with the honoray rank of major-general. General Hemming married Ada Cecil, the second daughter of his chief, Sir Frederick Maude, in 1878; she died in 1886. The funeral service will be held at St. Mark's, Brighton, to-morrow, at 10.30.' With research. Estimate: 4200 AUD |  |
Match 3:
| Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd > Auction 134 | Auction date: 21 November 2023 |
| Lot number: 2779 Price realized: 8,000 AUD (Approx. 5,251 USD / 4,806 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: DSO, MID (3 times) and VD Group of Six to AAMC: Distinguished Service Service Order (GVR); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19 with MID; War Medal 1939-45; Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration (GRI) (with substitute top brooch bar missing pin). First medal unnamed, Captain H.V.P.Conrick. A.M.C. A.I.F. on second medal, Lieut-Col. H.V.P.Conrick. A.I.F. on third medal, Lt-Colonel H.V.P.Conrick. A.I.F. on fourth medal, H.V.P.Conrick. M.N. Surgeon on fifth medal, Lt.Col. H.V.P.Conrick. D.S.O., U.L. on last medal. Last medal engraved, all other named medals impressed. Display mounted, together with hat and collar badges of AAMC (KC), very fine. Ex Dix Noonan Webb Sale 5 November 1991 (lot 267). DSO: Supplement to LG 18/7/1917, p7214; CAG 8/11/1917, p2938, to Maj. Horatio Victor Patrick Conrick, A.A.M.C. Recommendation: Major H.V.P.Conrick 7th Australian Field Ambulance. On the evening of May 6th 1917 near Noreuil a wagon loaded with explosives was being taken forward. This wagon was hit and a huge explosion took place, drawing heavy enemy shell fire on to the spot. A man rushed to Major Conrick for assistance and reported that a hundred men had been killed or wounded by the explosion. Major Conrick immediately collected bearers and led them to the scene of the accident. He personally attended to the wounded and directed the bearers in the open under heavy shell fire until all the wounded had been safely removed. Another report of Major Conrick's service reads as follows, 'During the severe fighting near Bullecourt Major Conrick was in charge of the Advanced Collecting Post near Noreuil from the 4th to 9th of May 1917. He continually moved from Post to Post under intense fire encouraging the men and arranging the relief for the bearers when exhausted. It was due to his efforts that the evacuation of wounded was rapidly and successfully carried on during the above days. This officer was in the first Australian Expeditionary Force and has served with the A.I.F. throughout the Gallipoli and French campaigns. He has, at all times, been characterised by his good work under all circumstances.' MID: (1st) LG 28/1/1916, p1209; CAG 6/4/1916, p862 - I have the honour to submit herewith the name of Captain H.V.P.Conrick, 3rd Field Ambulance, whose services I wish to bring to your lordship's notice in connexion with the operations described in my despatch of 11th December, 1915. (2nd) LG 13/7/1916, p6955; CAG 30/11/1916, p3234 - With reference to the despatch published on the 10th April, the following are mentioned for distinguished and gallant services rendered during the period of General Sir Charles Munro's Command of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force :- Major Horatio Victor Patrick Conrick. (3rd) LG 28/12/1917, p13568; CAG 18/4/1918, p845 - The following is a continuation of Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch of the 7th November, submitting names deserving special mention, published in a supplement to the "London Gazette" of Friday, 28th December, 1917 :- Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) H.V.P.Conrick, D.S.O. CAFOD (VD): CAG No.58 16/7/1931 to Lt-Col H.V.P.Conrick DSO, Unattached List, 2nd MD. This decoration was presented to Lt-Colonel Conrick DSO, VD by His Excellency the Governor General at his office in the Commonwealth Bank Chambers, Martin Place, Sydney on Monday 14 March 1932. Horatio Victor Patrick Conrick (1882-1960), born 27May1882 at Fitzroy, Melbourne and educated at the Christian Brothers' School, St Kilda; started working as a bank clerk before studying medicine at the University of Melbourne (M.B., B.S., 1910); appointed Resident Medical Officer at Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Brisbane; 02Feb1914 commissioned Captain in AAMC, Citizen Forces; 20Aug1914 appointed to A.I.F. and posted to the 3rd Field Ambulance, AAMC; Emb.25Sep1914; served throughout the Gallipoli Campaign and was awarded a mentioned in dispatch in 1916 for his services as detailed in a dispatch in December 1915; appointed to 2nd AGH in Egypt Jan1916; promoted to Major 06Feb1916; transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital and left for the Western Front in April; served as medical officer-in-charge, Anzac Base Details, and then attached to the Aust Vol Hosp in July; for the rest of 1916 held appointments with 2nd AGH and 5th and 7th Field Ambulances; serving with the latter unit when his award of the Distinguished Service Order was gazetted in July 1917; later that year he served with the 1st and 15th Field Ambulances, the 10th Casualty Clearing Station and the 24 Bn; appointed Temporary Lieut-Colonel and Senior Medical Officer at the 2nd Command Convalescent Depot in November and was again mentioned in dispatches; 03Apr to 24May1918 commanded 8th Field Ambulance; rank confirmed on 01May1918; RTA Jun1918 and appt terminated 14Aug1918; no record of WWII Merchant Navy service as surgeon found. On 12Sep1918, Conrick married Mary Frances Punch at St Mary's Catholic Church, North Sydney; they settled at North Sydney and he resumed medical practice concentrating on children's medicine; held appointments at Sydney's Renwick Hospital for Infants at Summer Hill from 1922 and was honorary consulting surgeon there from 1957 until his death; from the late 1940s he was Honorary Assistant Physician at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital for women and children at Crows Nest and for several years was New South Wales representative on the council of the British Medical Association; remained on reserves with AAMC until 1943 when he was placed on the retired list with the rank of Lt-Colonel; Horatio Conrick died on 18 July 1960 and was buried in the Catholic section of Gore Hill Cemetery; In the Gore Hill Cemetery Biographies Volume 1, p219 it states that Conrick was the officiating officer at the burial service of Simpson Kirkpatrick, who was immortalised as "the donkey man" and 'Simpson and his donkey". On April 28th, 1915, Capt. Conrick, AAMC, landed on Gallipoli with the 3rd Field Ambulance. The soldier to become known as 'Simpson, the Donkey Man' was one of his stretcher bearers. Shortly before his death in 1960, Conrick wrote with first hand knowledge of this brave and remarkable Australian soldier and his personal recollections were brought into the public domain by his daughter, Mrs Mary Rayward of Dee Why. In one part of these recollections Conrick wrote, 'Simpson was a very game man and in fact, he laughed at danger. At all times he was cheerful and a great favourite with his mates of the 3rd Field Ambulance. On one occasion I passed him in Monash Gully and called out to him, 'Look out for yourself Simmy.' His laughing reply came, 'That bullet hasn't been made for me yet, sir.' When our C.O., Colonel Alfred Sutton, a good soldier and sensible man, came ashore at Anzac about one week after the landing, we reported to him the type of work Simpson was doing, detached from the Ambulance. He replied he was quite agreeable he should continue, as his was an exceptional case, the only stipulation being that he should report at intervals to H.Q. Simpson came to us at times for rations, but more often he was fed by the Indian Mountain Battery and Jacobs Mule Train, who were camped near Monash Gully. They greatly admired him and would have given him anything. After his death, these Indians took charge of his donkey, fed it and looked after it. Their Medical Officer, Capt. Casey Evans (afterwards Sir Casey Evans) told me that he enquired of some of them if they would not lose caste by handling a donkey. They replied, 'What matter, sahib, it is the donkey of a Bahadur - a hero.' We buried Simpson in the cemetery on Brighton Beach, close to 'Hell-fire Corner,' a spot he had passed hundreds of times in his brave journeyings.' With a large file of research and photos. Estimate: 10000 AUD |  |
Match 4:
| Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd > Auction 134 | Auction date: 21 November 2023 |
| Lot number: 2814 Price realized: Unsold | |
| Lot description: Group of Six: British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19; 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Serice Medal 1939-45. 3018 S.A.Wilson on first two medals, N391172 S.A.Wilson on last four medals. The third and fourth medals are engraved, the other medals are impressed.; Pair: War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. First medal unnamed, Q268153 A.G.Thompson on second medal. The named medal impressed.; Single: Victory Medal 1914-19. 3018. Pte. S.Wilson. 2 MG. AIF. Impressed. A swing mounted group of six, a pair and a single, the fourth ribbon in the group of six damaged, the pair of medals without ribbons, and the last medal with incorrect ribbon, fine - very fine. Together with Army Statement of Service for WWI for Private Sydney Wilson. WWI: Sidney Archibald Wilson, labourer, age 18, born at Blayney, NSW; Enl.05Apr1916 at Armidale, NSW; Emb.23Nov1916; various training as well as hospitalisations including with severe epilepsy; to 2MG Sqn 28Apr1918; to France 04May1918; WIA 16Jul1918 GSW back; RTA 27Jun1919; Disch.07Oct1919. WWII: now aged 39; Enl.06Apr1942 at Recruiting Depot E; Disch.13Nov1944 at own request on compassionate grounds, with 330 days on service outside Australia serving with Garrison Bn and CMF; on 31May1963 reported all WWI and WWII war medals lost and these were replaced. Perhaps the second Victory Medal 1914-19 that is correctly named, as Wilson only stated his name as Sidney Wilson on his WWI enlistment form, was found after replacements were issued. Alan George Thompson, born 05Jul1888 at London, England; Enl. at Clayfield, Qld; Appt Chaplain 20Jun1944; no overseas service; Disch.02Aug1946 as Captain ex AA CH D (116AGH). Estimate: 500 AUD |
Match 5:
| Spink > Auction 392 | Auction date: 14 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 204 Price realized: 35,000 USD (Approx. 31,976 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Edward VIII (1936), Winchester College, The King's Gold Prize Medal, 1936, awarded to Christopher Ivan William Seton-Watson MC*, by Thomas Humphrey Paget and Bertram Wyon, EDWARDVS VIII REX ET IMPERATOR HONOREM PROPONIT, 'classical' bare head left, rev. the tomb of William of Wykeham, ETIAM SEPULTI VIVIT FAMA WYKEHAMI OB MCCCCIV in three lines in exergue [\Even buried the fame of Wykeham lives, died 1404"], 49mm., 86.35g., [Unhallmarked, Spink XRF: 18ct. Gold, London (Royal Mint)], struck retrospectively on 2 March 1937, edge largely plain but inscribed upwards C. I. W. SETON-WATSON. 1936. in New Roman capitalised script 9 and 4 o'clock (BHM - [cf. 4383/3720]; Eimer - [cf. 1240]; Jeremy Cheek, 'Royal Prize Medals', BNJ, 2018, pp. 175-188), faintly hairlined and lightly wiped in otherwise lustrous, original fields, an unfortunate but largely imperceptible scratch above Wykeham, otherwise extremely fine and much as issued, OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE, as a 'one-year type' of which only two examples were struck off in gold for English and Latin Speech at Winchester College, the oldest continuously operating patron of an annual Royal Prize Medal, and whose unique obverse legend: 'Edward VIII, The King and Emperor Proposes this Honour' elevates this prestigious award to truly exalted numismatic heights especially when viewed alongside the approved 'Coin Portrait' in a format larger even than his legendary Pattern Five-Pounds, and critically struck in gold, by and housed in, the Royal Mint official case of issue with the stunning and seldom-encountered Edward VIII Cypher in gold-letter Provenance The Estate of Christopher Ivan William Seton-Watson MC and Bar (1918-2007). Christopher was born 6 August 1918, the younger son of Robert William and Marion Esther Seton-Watson. He was baptised at St Margaret's (Westminster) on 7 October that same year. Prior to education, he resided at No. 1 Buckingham Street, Buckingham Gate, London. His father, often writing under the pseudonym 'Scotus Viator' from here, proved a troublesome thorn in the side of the British Government for his outspoken beliefs on a federal solution to Austro-Hungary. Conscripted into the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1917, his allies soon rescued him to the Intelligence Bureau of the War Cabinet and the Enemy Propaganda Department. It was during this posting that Marion would fall pregnant and Christopher would be born. Whilst his second son was still an infant, Robert journeyed to Paris on his own diplomatic mission for the Peace Conference of July 1919. He continued to rile European officials with his jibe about the 'pygmies of Paris', but equally sought the renewal of friendships with ministers of the new state of Czechoslovakia. His allies Tomáš Masaryk would become the first premier; and Edvard Beneš its Foreign Minister. Unsurprisingly Seton-Watson Senior would prove instrumental in the establishing the post-war frontiers of Yugoslavia and Italy. Robert separately established the School of Slavonic Studies and from 1922 held its post as the first Masaryk Chair of the Faculty. Following the Wall Street Crash of 1929, Robert devoted his time to academic teachings; although was reportedly unpunctual, untidy, and too preoccupied with other matters". Unsurprisingly, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's later policy of appeasement to Nazi Germany about the subject of Czechoslovakia, found in Seton-Watson one of his governments most pointed critics. This lead to his publication of "Britain in Europe: 1789-1914 - A Survey of Foreign Policy, 1937, in which he argued for the strengthening of the enforcement role of the League of Nations as a 'united European front against the disturbers of the peace'; in short to be an active deterrent against the 'inverted Bolshevism of Italy' and naked aggression of Germany. Following the Second World War, Seton-Watson lamented the loss of the former Easter blocs new-found democratic freedoms, retiring to the Isle of Skye where he died in 1951. With the pursuit of geo-political and military history firmly embedded within the traditions of this family, it is unsurprising to see first Hugh (born 1916), and then Christopher follow in their father's footsteps. Educated at Horris Hill, Christopher became a scholar of Winchester College in 1931. In the Summer of 1936, Christopher would receive this prestigous King's Gold Prize Medal for Latin Verse; and subsequently serve as Head Boy, or 'Aule Prae' until he left the school the following year. His academic record was excellent - having further distinguished himself in History and Latin Speech; a School Exhibition; and as the recipient of the main Classical Prize for an Old Wykehamist - the Goddard Scholarship. The following year, Christopher commenced his Bachelor degree at New College, Oxford with the study of Classics and PPE, and helpfully where his elder brother Hugh was already working as a lecturer. Also revealed on the 1939 Census is the fact Christopher had joined the Officer Training Corps as a Cadet. This would expedite his transition into the colours upon the outbreak of hostilies in September 1939. The history of the Winchester College Prize Medal dates to at least as early as the first decade of the reign of King George III in the 1760s. However, it was not until 1797, that the Prince of Wales (the then Prince Regent) took up the patronage of the award and the addition of HONOREM PROPONIT ("Proposes the Honour") was made to the design. This Royal Prize Medal is the oldest of the now 24 annual awards bestowed by the Sovereign across the Armed Forces, Education, Architecture, Science, Poetry and Geography. As noted by Christopher Eimer (Author, British Historical Medals): "the medal was established by the Prince of Wales... two each in gold and silver, to be awarded in gold for Latin speech and in silver for Latin prose; the other two medals to be awarded for English, gold for speech, silver for verse, these to be awarded in alternate years." Today, Winchester College preserves an early example of the award for 1801, stating the transitional legend 'HONOREM PRINCEPS PROPONIT' and the device of the Prince of Wales (the Ostrich Feathers). When the Prince Regent became King George IV in January 1820, the bestowal of the Prize Medal became the preserve of the Sovereign, a tradition that endures to the present day over two centuries later. The present design was updated by Bertram Wyon during the reign of Queen Victoria to depict the tomb of school founder William of Wykeham, who died in 1404. Winchester College also preserves a small collection of prize medals from the reign of King George V (1919); King George VI (1945) and the late Queen Elizabeth II (2008). As Cheek notes: "Laurence Brown went to great lengths to define which medals should or should not be included in his book. Generally prize medals were excluded, as he felt that if he did not do so the book would never be complete or be published. However his overriding consideration was that medals of national importance would be included. As Royal Prize Medals were thought to be of national importance they were there confusingly in both categories. The result was that Royal Prize Medals issued during the reigns of George IV (1820-30) to George VI (1936-52) were included in BHM.... He continues: "There are also other Royal Price Medals not listed in BHM and not present in the following set: those medals produced with the effigy of Edward VIII, of which twenty-six were produced late in 1937. Equivalent issues to nos. 1-7, 10-12, 14-16, 18 and 20-21 were produced bearing the effigy of Edward VIII; no Edward VIII medals were produced for the Royal Geographical Society (Founder's Medal); the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Police Essay Competition or the Poetry Medal. A Royal Household Long and Faithful Service medal of Edward VIII was produced but never awarded; there is an example in the Royal Mint Museum. The other medals listed in the set described below were only initiated after the abdication of Edward VIII in December 1936. Laurence Brown was an assiduous researcher and I am sure that the omission of these medals from BHM was deliberate, presumably because he believed that they should be considered as Patterns for medals that were not issued, and thus lay outside the scope of his book. However since the publication of BHM two examples of Royal Prize Medals with the effigy of Edward VIII have appeared at auction inscribed with receipients' names, so it would appear that at least two were in fact awarded. There are no specimens of Royal Prize Medals with the effigy of Edward VIII in the Royal Collection." Corpus: 1. Royal Military Academy (Sandhurst) 2. Britannia Royal Naval College (Dartmouth); Awarded to Peter S Wilson; Morton & Eden, Auction 8, 25 May 2004, lot 133 (£6,200 HP); Joseph S Giordano Collection 3. Royal Air Force College (Cranwell) 4. King Edward VIII School (King's Lynn) The abdication of King Edward VIII on the 11 December 1936 brought to an end a tumultous 325-day reign. The termination of his reign brought with it the logistical headache of scrapping his approved effigy for a replacement in the likeness of King George VI. Deputy-Master of the Royal Mint (1922-1938), Sir Robert Arthur Johnson conceded: "The work of the two artists was all but completed when the events of last December rendered it nugatory. Over 200 dies of coins, medals and seals were thus rendered useless and the Mint was faced with the task of securing portraits of his present Majesty with but limited time available." He added in the same December 1937 interview shortly before his death: "I am betraying no profound secret in stating that the coinage effigy of the former King was, at his personal wish, prepared facing to the left. But as there has been no coinage bearing the bust of the former King, the old tradition has maintained by showing the effigy of the present monarch facing in the same direction as the last monarch but one. The new King's effigy faces left, as did those of King George V and Queen Victoria, a fact which is surely one of the most happy augury." He concluded: "During 1936, in the early stages when the coinage for King Edward was in question, I was made aware that some desire existed for a complete departure from the heraldic tradition which has been associated for several centuries with our principal coins." Based on surviving Royal Mint Archives, Official Gazette entries, contemporary newspaper reports and eyewitness accounts, the following timeline can be reconstructed for the numismatic and philatelic record of the short-lived King's reign. 20 January 1936 - At five minutes to midnight, King George V dies at Sandringham and his eldest son David, Prince of Wales becomes King Edward VIII. Thursday, 6 February 1936 - An official at the General Post Office informs the Daily Telegraph, that: "New postage stamps and postal orders bearing the portrait of King Edward VIII are not likely to be issued until the end of the year. It can also be authoritatively stated that no mourning stamps are to be printed. The annual sale of stamps in Britain totals 7,000,000,000. Postal orders number 225,000,000. Of the 70,000 letter boxes in the country, comparatively few will bear King Edward's initials for some time. New boxes will do so. Letter boxes bearing the inscription E.R. VII are still in existence, and there are still a few old ones marked V.R. On the 9,000 mail vans, the Royal initials will be altered as the vehicles are repainted." It is estimated that only 271 post-boxes bearing the cypher of Edward VIII were eventually produced. The same day, the 4th Winter Olympiad is opened in Garmisch-Partenkirchen by Adolf Hitler. Friday, 21 February 1936 - "The King received Sir Robert Johnson, Deputy Master of the Royal Mint at Buckingham Palace, and inspected a plaster cast of his own head, which had been prepared at the Mint. The cast will, with Royal Approval, be used not only for the new coins, but also in the preparation of dies for medals and other purposes." Friday, 13 March 1936 - "The King has approved two designs for the new Royal cypher: "E.R. VIII.". The War Office will make known to the public next week the designs submitted by Garter King of Arms which have been approved by the King. One Cypher in plain modern block letters surmounted by the Imperial Crown, will be used by the postal authorities and Government offices, Embassies, Legations and Consulates abroad, and by Dominions, India and the Crown Colonies. The other cypher follows the traditional style of interlocked initials with oak-leaf fringes. This will be used by the armed forces and the constabulary of the Empire." Tuesday, 28 April 1936 - The King sat at Buckingham Palace for the two medallionists [Thomas Humphrey Paget and Percy Metcalfe] of the Royal Mint, for the head which will appear on the new coinage and the medals which will be granted by King Edward the Eighth. Friday, 1 May 1936 - In what is estimated to be a £1,000,000 stimulus to the manufacting and stationery industry of Britain, the first printed examples of the King's Cypher appear in circulation. Saturday, 30 May 1936 - Bradford Post Office becomes the first building in Britain to feature the King's new cypher. Monday, 20 July 1936 - The Annual Swan Voyage of His Swan Master's Skiff along the River Thames exhibits the new Royal Cypher 'in red surmounted by a gold crown'. Friday 31 July 1936 - Sir William Currie, Chairman of the Worcester Committee announced that the King had been graciously pleased to become the patron of [Thames Nautical College, H.M.S.] Worcester. The King's gold medal was won by Kenneth Hodson. "A letter from the Secretary of the King's Privy Purse was read explaining that the medal could not be presented yet as a new one had to be cast bearing King Edward's head." This same medal was later sold by Sotheby's at an auction of 5 July 1994 (lot 211) and is believed to remain in a Private British Collection. Friday, 7 August 1936 - The King approves the uncrowned effigy submitted by Mr Thomas Humphrey Paget for his coins and medals, and the designs for the reverse of the new silver coinage by Mr George Kruger Gray. Tuesday, 1 September 1936 - Edward VIII's uncrowned effigy is released on stamps at midnight, featuring the series of halfpenny, threehalfpenny and twopence-halfpenny. London's three 'all-night post offices' in Fleet Street were besieged by collectors with queues forming two hours beforehand. "The issue was regarded as the greatest success of any recorded by the Post Office as over 30,000,000 stamps were sold on the first day." The following day however, critics were quick to note: "The head of the King is far from being the best photograph that has ever been taken and makes him appear more youthful than he really is. People are asking why there could not have been a break from tradition. Why always a face in profile? Why not full face, with the King wearing that boyish smile which has endeared him to millions? The new Australian stamp shows the King full face, so why not the English?" The Belfast Newsletter notes: "People are expressing the hope that a little more imagination will be displayed in the preparation of the new King Edward coins than has been manifested in the printing of the new stamps." Monday, 14 September 1936 - The penny stamp of Edward VIII is released. Wednesday, 16 September 1936 - The Royal Mint submits proposals to the Treasury for a new larger Threepence coin. An official stated: "the size is midway between that of a sixpence and a shilling. Efforts are being made to find a distinctive edge for the coin. The metal to be used has not yet been decided upon. The new coin will not however be made of silver or nickel." As Prince of Wales, Edward had described the silver issue, colloquially dubbed a 'joey' as an 'annoying coin'. Monday, 8 December 1936 - The Official Gazette, Notice No. 769 states: His Majesty the King has approved the issue of the customary official medal to commemorate His Majesty's Coronation. The medal will show on the obverse the crowned effigy of His Majesty with legend, and on the reverse the gateway of St James's Palace. "The Royal Mint are prepared to accept orders for these medals in Gold, large size, diameter 2.5 inches, price 50 guineas; small size, diameter 1.25 inches, price 12 guineas." Notice No. 770, states: "It has been announced that His Majesty the King will broadcast a message to the Empire on the day of his Coronation, Wednesday 12 May 1937. This will be His Majesty's first act after the Coronation ceremony is over. It is understood that a message to the Empire will not be broadcast by His Majesty at Christmas." Wednesday, 10 December 1936 - King Edward VIII signs his 'Instrument of Abdication' Thursday, 11 December 1936 - King George VI acceeds to the throne Tuesday, 2 March 1937 - The Royal Mint produces the obverse die hub for the Winchester College, King's Prize Medal. As each Royal Award is the preserve of the incumbent Sovereign, it is elected to retrospectively strike the medals with the 'classical' uncrowned effigy of the former King Edward VIII for those awarded in 1936. These are distributed to recipients over the following month. i) The Royal Collection boasts the artist's approval in gilt metal of King George VI sent for the monarch's personal assent (RCIN 443736). No artistic trials of Edward VIII were produced for the same purpose as the medals were to be produced retrospectively. ii) Spink has offered Marcus William Dick's, 1938 award in 2014, lot 628 iii) Spink has offered John Christopher Dancy's, 1939 award in 2021, lot 8110 Estimate: 15000 - 20000 USD |  |
