AMERICAN NUMISMATIC SOCIETY TO SELL FOREIGN ORDERS, MEDALS, AND DECORATIONS TO BENEFIT ACQUISITIONS Landmark sales in London in May and October will offer a unique $2 million collection of historic military medals, orders and decorations from a variety of nations at every price level.
Auctioneer James Morton, who specialises in war medals and decorations, said his company was delighted to have been chosen by the American Numismatic Society to conduct the sale. He added: "In the long history of collecting orders, medals and decorations I do not believe there has ever before been an auction in which so many individual pieces covering such a broad range of content has been dispersed at one time. This is a landmark event and we anticipate worldwide interest from collectors and institutions who will be able to participate at every price level."
The two sales are expected to realise in the region of £1.2 million (US $ 2 million).
Orders, Medals and Decorations from the collection of the American Numismatic Society, Part 1, 24-25th May 2006 at Sotheby's New Bond Street galleries.
Highlights will be on exhibition at Sotheby's New York, 1334 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, 1-2 May.
Sale on view in London (45 Maddox Street, London W1S 2PE), 19, 22-23 May (or by prior appointment).
Highlights among the important section of British medals include:
* A very rare Naval General Service medal awarded to Thomas Skiddey with a unique combination of clasps for "Trafalgar" and "Cherub 28 March 1814". Skiddey not only served on Collingwood's flagship Royal Sovereign at Trafalgar but also took part in the capture of the American frigate USS Essex in 1814 off the coast of Chile (Estimate £15,000-20,000, $26,000-35,000)
* A Conspicuous Gallantry group of three medals awarded to Able Seaman Henry Thompson during the Malay attack at Perak of January 4 1876 (Estimate £6,000-8,000, $10,000-14,000)
* An Army Long Service and Good Conduct medal awarded to Private Isaac Osbourne of the Grenadier Guards, in 1837. He had enlisted at the age of 19 and was present at the Battle of Waterloo (Estimate £700-1,000, $1,200-1,700)
* A silver Polar medal with "Antarctic 1902-04" clasp awarded to Isaac Weller. Weller was a crew member with special responsibility for the Expedition's dogs on Captain Scott's first voyage to the Antarctic on H.M.S. Discovery (Estimate £3,000-4,000, $5,000-7,000)
British and Foreign Orders include:
*Great Britain, a magnificent 19th century sash badge of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (Lesser George), in gold and enamels. The Order of the Garter was founded in 1348 by Edward III and is the premier British Order of Knighthood as well as the oldest. Membership is limited to the reigning sovereign and twenty-five Christian Knights. Selected Royal Heads of State are admitted as Extra Knights or Ladies of the Garter (Estimate £18,000-22,000, $31,000-38,000)
* France, Légion d'Honneur, Louis Philippe issue (1830-48), Grand Cross Sash Badge, in gold and enamels. The Légion d'Honneur was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 as an award to French and foreign citizens for outstanding civil and military services; it came in five classes: Grand Cross, Grand Commander, Commander, Officer and Knight. When the monarchy was restored in 1814 the Order was held in such high esteem that Louis XVIII dared