Lot

3

THE SKULL OF THE BELLEROPHON SHIP'S GOAT WHICH SUPPLIED MILK FOR NAPOLEON AND HIS SUITE 28.5 cm wide

In The Captain Maitland Collection: The Surrender...

This auction is live! You need to be registered and approved to bid at this auction.
You have been outbid. For the best chance of winning, increase your maximum bid.
Your bid or registration is pending approval with the auctioneer. Please check your email account for more details.
Unfortunately, your registration has been declined by the auctioneer. You can contact the auctioneer on 01283 733988 for more information.
You are the current highest bidder! To be sure to win, log in for the live auction broadcast on or increase your max bid.
Leave a bid now! Your registration has been successful.
Sorry, bidding has ended on this item. We have thousands of new lots everyday, start a new search.
Bidding on this auction has not started. Please register now so you are approved to bid when auction starts.
1/4
THE SKULL OF THE BELLEROPHON SHIP'S GOAT WHICH SUPPLIED MILK FOR NAPOLEON AND HIS SUITE 28.5 cm wide - Image 1 of 4
THE SKULL OF THE BELLEROPHON SHIP'S GOAT WHICH SUPPLIED MILK FOR NAPOLEON AND HIS SUITE 28.5 cm wide - Image 2 of 4
THE SKULL OF THE BELLEROPHON SHIP'S GOAT WHICH SUPPLIED MILK FOR NAPOLEON AND HIS SUITE 28.5 cm wide - Image 3 of 4
THE SKULL OF THE BELLEROPHON SHIP'S GOAT WHICH SUPPLIED MILK FOR NAPOLEON AND HIS SUITE 28.5 cm wide - Image 4 of 4
THE SKULL OF THE BELLEROPHON SHIP'S GOAT WHICH SUPPLIED MILK FOR NAPOLEON AND HIS SUITE 28.5 cm wide - Image 1 of 4
THE SKULL OF THE BELLEROPHON SHIP'S GOAT WHICH SUPPLIED MILK FOR NAPOLEON AND HIS SUITE 28.5 cm wide - Image 2 of 4
THE SKULL OF THE BELLEROPHON SHIP'S GOAT WHICH SUPPLIED MILK FOR NAPOLEON AND HIS SUITE 28.5 cm wide - Image 3 of 4
THE SKULL OF THE BELLEROPHON SHIP'S GOAT WHICH SUPPLIED MILK FOR NAPOLEON AND HIS SUITE 28.5 cm wide - Image 4 of 4
Interested in the price of this lot?
Subscribe to the price guide
Etwall, Derbyshire
THE SKULL OF THE BELLEROPHON SHIP'S GOAT WHICH SUPPLIED MILK FOR NAPOLEON AND HIS SUITE 28.5 cm wide across horns18.5 cm long Preserved and passed through generations of the Maitland family as belonging to the goat that supplied Captain Maitland and the Emperor Napoleon with milk during their passage to England in 1815. The skull can be seen, balanced on a table incorporating a plank from the gangway on which Napoleon surrendered in a photograph, taken, “By special permission of Mr F Lewis-Maitland of Lindores, Fifeshire Photograph by W. Keay Latimer” 18cm x 20cm.William Keay Latimer (1878-1923) was operating in Kirkcaldy by 1908, close to the ancestral home of the Maitland family.  The photo from which this is made must have been taken in or before 1909 when it appeared in Edward Fraser’s book, “Bellerophon, the Bravest of the Brave”. Provenance: Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick Lewis Maitland KCB (1777-1839) and thence by descent Dining With Napoleon The Emperor’s Meals feature in many of the accounts of his voyage on the Bellerophon.  He was in the habit of inviting two of the ship’s officers to dine with him each evening.  Sitting at table with the man who had dominated Europe must have been quite an experience for these, mostly young men. Lieutenant Bowerbank recalled a rather disappointing dinner on 18th July 1815: “At a quarter past six dinner was sent up, to which I was invited.  Napoleon took his seat in the middle of the table with Captain Maitland on his right hand.  The whole dinner was dressed in the French style and served upon silver.  Nothing was carved upon the table, the servants removed each dish for the purpose.  Napoleon was very melancholy.  He merely inquired (addressing himself to Captain Maitland and me) if the beef was good in England, and whether we had there plenty of vegetables?  He, however, made a very hearty dinner. On the removal of the dishes a cup of very strong coffee was served to each. It was poured out by a servant of Napoleon's. Whilst filling his master's cup the poor fellow's hand slipped, and part of the coffee was spilt upon Buonaparte. He said nothing, but gave such a look full in the man's face as not only conveyed the wish, but really seemed to annihilate him. For he immediately resigned his office and quitted the cabin.” The Emperor, especially in his first few days aboard Bellerophon went out of his way to make himself agreeable.  Just as Captain Maitland did all he could to make things as comfortable as they could be made for his guests.  Meals were the few causes of discord.   On his first morning aboard Napoleon and Maitland sat down at 9 for what the latter called an English-style breakfast of tea, coffee and cold meats.  Napoleon ate little and looked unhappy.  Asking why, Maitland found that a hot breakfast was the norm in France.   Thereafter they ate in the French manner. Goats at Sea At first glance a goat serving on one of His Majesty’s ships might look incongruous.  But Captain Maitland’s goat stood in a long naval tradition.There are two broad reasons why she was there: Endurance Unlike the steam-powered ships that replaced them, the sailing warships of Captain Maitland’s time had essentially unlimited endurance.  Steam ships needed to come in to port to coal. Sailing ships didn’t. Their time at sea was limited only by what their sailors could stand; and so by the quantity and quality of food and drinking water they could store. The long sea time of which these ships were capable facilitated a particular form of warfare, at which Britain’s Royal Navy excelled: blockade.  The safety of the British Isles and of British merchant ships at sea was secured not primarily by stationing warships off British ports or by escorting merchant vessels but by stationing fleets off enemy ports.   Enemy ships were penned in harbour or engaged once they put to sea.  His commerce could be stanched at source. This is the blockade that Captain Maitland and the Bellerophon were maintaining off Rochefort.  Blockade duty of this kind could involve months at sea.  Sailors were generally given a plentiful, but monotonous diet.  Food that wasn’t salted, pickled or dried would quickly perish. So anything fresh (goat’s milk in our case) was appreciated. Health Britain’s sailing navy conducted voyages of exploration, thousands of miles in duration.  Captains saw how these torein to their men’s health.  They linked this to the monotonous diet.  Though science was not ready to guide them, they instinctively knew that variety made for good health. Here is the story (told by Samuel Johnson, no less) of a goat that circumnavigated the globe:The Well-Travelled Goat - Untold lives blog. Floating Farmyards In consequence, ships could resemble floating menageries.  Not just goats but sheep, cattle, pigs, hens and geese went to sea with the Royal Navy.  In October 1760 HMS Somerset, a ship smaller than the Bellerophon, left Messina with 60 oxen.  In January 1761 HMS Elizabeth sailed the Indian Ocean with 71 head of cattle aboard.  These herds would likely have been distributed amongst other ships of their squadron when they arrived on station.  But Admiral Hawke thought it reasonable that a ship of the line in winter should carry some 40 sheep and a dozen oxen for its own consumption.   Officers, Men & Goats It is commonly thought that while officers enjoyed fresh meat and milk their men subsisted on a narrow diet.  This wasn’t entirely the case.  Life at sea in the 1800s reflected the strong class divisions ashore.  But fresh beef (when available) formed part of the diet of all.  Ours was the captain’s goat, but most captains allowed sailors of all ranks to bring their own livestock aboard.  They made a mess and could be a nuisance at sea, but their health-giving benefits were widely understood.  Enlightened officers preferred their men spending their money this way than on the likely alternative – drink.  A Goat’s Position at Sea Most livestock spent their time at sea in a pen or coup.  Goats, by tradition, roamed free.  Steadiness of foot suited them to life on a rolling deck.  This did not altogether contribute to their popularity.  Their tendency to eat whatever they found being the cause of much complaint. Wider Service Goats have not limited their service to Britain’s Royal Navy.  The Prestigious US Naval Academy has one for its mascot: Why does the U.S. Naval Academy have a goat as its mascot? (navytimes.com)  .  Ashore, a goat (usually selected from a Royal herd) is the mascot of the Royal Welsh Regiment.  By tradition, a military goat leads the Welsh Rugby team onto the field in Cardiff
THE SKULL OF THE BELLEROPHON SHIP'S GOAT WHICH SUPPLIED MILK FOR NAPOLEON AND HIS SUITE 28.5 cm wide across horns18.5 cm long Preserved and passed through generations of the Maitland family as belonging to the goat that supplied Captain Maitland and the Emperor Napoleon with milk during their passage to England in 1815. The skull can be seen, balanced on a table incorporating a plank from the gangway on which Napoleon surrendered in a photograph, taken, “By special permission of Mr F Lewis-Maitland of Lindores, Fifeshire Photograph by W. Keay Latimer” 18cm x 20cm.William Keay Latimer (1878-1923) was operating in Kirkcaldy by 1908, close to the ancestral home of the Maitland family.  The photo from which this is made must have been taken in or before 1909 when it appeared in Edward Fraser’s book, “Bellerophon, the Bravest of the Brave”. Provenance: Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick Lewis Maitland KCB (1777-1839) and thence by descent Dining With Napoleon The Emperor’s Meals feature in many of the accounts of his voyage on the Bellerophon.  He was in the habit of inviting two of the ship’s officers to dine with him each evening.  Sitting at table with the man who had dominated Europe must have been quite an experience for these, mostly young men. Lieutenant Bowerbank recalled a rather disappointing dinner on 18th July 1815: “At a quarter past six dinner was sent up, to which I was invited.  Napoleon took his seat in the middle of the table with Captain Maitland on his right hand.  The whole dinner was dressed in the French style and served upon silver.  Nothing was carved upon the table, the servants removed each dish for the purpose.  Napoleon was very melancholy.  He merely inquired (addressing himself to Captain Maitland and me) if the beef was good in England, and whether we had there plenty of vegetables?  He, however, made a very hearty dinner. On the removal of the dishes a cup of very strong coffee was served to each. It was poured out by a servant of Napoleon's. Whilst filling his master's cup the poor fellow's hand slipped, and part of the coffee was spilt upon Buonaparte. He said nothing, but gave such a look full in the man's face as not only conveyed the wish, but really seemed to annihilate him. For he immediately resigned his office and quitted the cabin.” The Emperor, especially in his first few days aboard Bellerophon went out of his way to make himself agreeable.  Just as Captain Maitland did all he could to make things as comfortable as they could be made for his guests.  Meals were the few causes of discord.   On his first morning aboard Napoleon and Maitland sat down at 9 for what the latter called an English-style breakfast of tea, coffee and cold meats.  Napoleon ate little and looked unhappy.  Asking why, Maitland found that a hot breakfast was the norm in France.   Thereafter they ate in the French manner. Goats at Sea At first glance a goat serving on one of His Majesty’s ships might look incongruous.  But Captain Maitland’s goat stood in a long naval tradition.There are two broad reasons why she was there: Endurance Unlike the steam-powered ships that replaced them, the sailing warships of Captain Maitland’s time had essentially unlimited endurance.  Steam ships needed to come in to port to coal. Sailing ships didn’t. Their time at sea was limited only by what their sailors could stand; and so by the quantity and quality of food and drinking water they could store. The long sea time of which these ships were capable facilitated a particular form of warfare, at which Britain’s Royal Navy excelled: blockade.  The safety of the British Isles and of British merchant ships at sea was secured not primarily by stationing warships off British ports or by escorting merchant vessels but by stationing fleets off enemy ports.   Enemy ships were penned in harbour or engaged once they put to sea.  His commerce could be stanched at source. This is the blockade that Captain Maitland and the Bellerophon were maintaining off Rochefort.  Blockade duty of this kind could involve months at sea.  Sailors were generally given a plentiful, but monotonous diet.  Food that wasn’t salted, pickled or dried would quickly perish. So anything fresh (goat’s milk in our case) was appreciated. Health Britain’s sailing navy conducted voyages of exploration, thousands of miles in duration.  Captains saw how these torein to their men’s health.  They linked this to the monotonous diet.  Though science was not ready to guide them, they instinctively knew that variety made for good health. Here is the story (told by Samuel Johnson, no less) of a goat that circumnavigated the globe:The Well-Travelled Goat - Untold lives blog. Floating Farmyards In consequence, ships could resemble floating menageries.  Not just goats but sheep, cattle, pigs, hens and geese went to sea with the Royal Navy.  In October 1760 HMS Somerset, a ship smaller than the Bellerophon, left Messina with 60 oxen.  In January 1761 HMS Elizabeth sailed the Indian Ocean with 71 head of cattle aboard.  These herds would likely have been distributed amongst other ships of their squadron when they arrived on station.  But Admiral Hawke thought it reasonable that a ship of the line in winter should carry some 40 sheep and a dozen oxen for its own consumption.   Officers, Men & Goats It is commonly thought that while officers enjoyed fresh meat and milk their men subsisted on a narrow diet.  This wasn’t entirely the case.  Life at sea in the 1800s reflected the strong class divisions ashore.  But fresh beef (when available) formed part of the diet of all.  Ours was the captain’s goat, but most captains allowed sailors of all ranks to bring their own livestock aboard.  They made a mess and could be a nuisance at sea, but their health-giving benefits were widely understood.  Enlightened officers preferred their men spending their money this way than on the likely alternative – drink.  A Goat’s Position at Sea Most livestock spent their time at sea in a pen or coup.  Goats, by tradition, roamed free.  Steadiness of foot suited them to life on a rolling deck.  This did not altogether contribute to their popularity.  Their tendency to eat whatever they found being the cause of much complaint. Wider Service Goats have not limited their service to Britain’s Royal Navy.  The Prestigious US Naval Academy has one for its mascot: Why does the U.S. Naval Academy have a goat as its mascot? (navytimes.com)  .  Ashore, a goat (usually selected from a Royal herd) is the mascot of the Royal Welsh Regiment.  By tradition, a military goat leads the Welsh Rugby team onto the field in Cardiff

The Captain Maitland Collection: The Surrender of Napoleon Bonaparte July 15th 1815

Sale Date(s)
Venue Address
Heage Lane
Etwall
Derbyshire
DE65 6LS
United Kingdom

General delivery information available from the auctioneer

Hansons Auctioneers offers an in-house postal service for clients who are unable to attend the auction or collect.

contact  postage@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk

If items need to be sent abroad we shall assess these on an individual basis. Depending on the object and worth/size of parcel, Hansons will recommend using one of our couriers if we are unable to post your item in-house. We reserve the rights not to post items abroad if we deem unfit and think it will break.

We are not professional packers or shippers but do our utmost to pack items in a correct way which will ensure items arrive safely. However, Hansons Auctioneers will not be held responsible for making any claim. We may be able to make claims with Royal Mail or Parcelforce but cannot guarantee this.

There are some items that, due to their nature, size or weight, we cannot post out. However, we can recommend couriers and you can arrange for them to pick the item up from our saleroom/ London Office. They will also be able to insure some items which we are unable to insure. 

 

RECOMMENDED COURIERS:

 

Mailboxes

 

Hansons Derby: Mailboxes Nottingham:www.mbe.co.uk/nottingham +44(0)1159 472 779

 

Hansons London: Mailboxes Kingston: www.mbe.co.uk/kingston +44 (0) 20 8547 1547

 

Advance Forwarding +44 (0)1332 865 656 www.advanceforwarding.co.uk

IJK Couriers (Contact Ian Kent) 07917500522 www.ijkcouriers.co.uk

London Clients:

Auction Logistics (Mailboxes) 0871 221 1233 auctionlogisticsenquiries@mbe.uk (internet buyers can request direct delivery from their Saleroom.com account)

 

For a complete guide to our postage capabilities please view our postage pages on our website:

https://hansonsauctioneers.co.uk/page/postage

 

 

Important Information

PLEASE FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH OUR COLLECTION/SHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS BEFORE COMMITING TO BID - Hansons Postage & Packing

**PLEASE NOTE OUR BUYERS PREMIUM HAS INCREASED TO 26.5% (+VAT) OF THE HAMMER PRICE WITH A MINIMUM CHARGE BEING £6 (+VAT)

SALEROOM.COM BIDDERS WILL PAY A 5% (+VAT) INTERNET SURCHARGE **

Viewing Dates: Tuesday 29th October 10am-4pm | Wednesday 30th October 10am-4pm | Thursday 31st October 10am-1pm

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

PAYMENT IS BY BANK TRANSFER AND CARD PAYMENT VIA WORLDPAY. (NO PAYMENT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON LOCATION)

 

COLLECTION IS BY SAFE SOCIAL DISTANCING RULEs AND BY APPOINTMENT ONLY AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE

 WORLDWIDE POSTAGE IS AVAILABLE ON MOST ITEMS. PLEASE CONTACT OUR POSTAGE TEAM. postage@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk

Transfer of Lots Between Sites For Postage or Collection

We offer a transfer service for lots purchased at our auction houses – London, Banbury and Bishton Hall, Staffs.
For both postage and collections requests, a transfer fee is payable.
* Transfers from/to London and Banbury – From £10 plus VAT per invoice
* Transfers from/to Bishton Hall – From £5 plus VAT per invoice

These fees are in addition to the postage and packing fees. This service does not include furniture.

Buyers Premium is 26.5%.(+vat) Minimum Lot Charge £6(+vat)

Internet surcharges - .Charges vary with each bidding platform. Please check each sale before proceeding to bid. Information available at hansonsauctioneers.co.uk

Payment of items and Storage Charges

Timely collection of items is imperative as storage space is limited.

Furniture: Lots must be paid for and collected within 3 days after the furniture sale, items remaining after this timescale will incur a storage fee of £50 +VAT per week.

General items: must be paid for and collected within 5 working days of the end of the sale, after that storage charges will apply which will vary between £10-£20 + VAT per week dependent upon volume of items/space required to store.

Hansons advises that the auctioneer will commence and advance bidding at levels and increments he considers appropriate and is entitled to place a bid or series of bids on behalf of the Seller up to the reserve on the lot, without indicating he is doing so and whether or not other bids are placed.

Terms & Conditions

 

Terms and Conditions of Business for Buyers 

Care is taken to ensure that any statements as to authorship, attribution, origin, date, age, provenance and condition are reliable and accurate, but all such statements are statements of opinion and are not to be taken as statements or representations of fact. Hansons reserve the right, in forming their opinion, to consult and rely upon any expert or authority reasonably considered by them to be reliable. All clients are advised they are entering into a contract with Hansons Auctioneers and Valuers under English Law and Jurisdiction.

1. The Buyer 
The highest bidder to be the buyer. If any dispute arises, the auctioneer shall have absolute discretion to settle it and to put any disputed lot up again for sale. 

2. Buyer Identification 
Buyers are requested to furnish references in advance of the sale in order to avoid delay in clearing purchases. Goods will not be cleared until such references have been processed or cheques cleared. Hanson’s reserve the right not to approve any online bidder when their registration credit check is not successful and who cannot provide references. Hansons will not accept commission bids for any buyer that has an outstanding invoice. 

3. Buyer’s Premium 
The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a buyer’s premium at the rate of 26.5% plus VAT. Please note that there is a minimum purchase charge of £6 plus VAT. Internet bidding incurs additional surcharges subject to platform. Please make yourself aware of charges before proceeding to bid.

VAT is charged on Hanson’s services NOT on the goods and is payable at the standard rate set by the UK government. 
Any royalties eligible to be paid to a qualifying artist under the ‘Droit de Suite’ legislation will be added to the buyers invoice

4. Payment 
Immediately on the fall of the hammer, all lots shall be at the sole risk and expense of the respective purchasers 
All buyers you will be sent a payment request where possible via email, telephone payments are no longer accepted. A bank payment or payment in person are accepted alternatives.
All Bidders need to pay and arrange collection of smalls within 5 working days of the auction.Furniture buyers need to pay and collect within 3 working days of its sale day. 
Failure to pay for goods within 15 working days of the auction may result in the sale being rescinded. The defaulting buyer will also be blocked from bidding at future Hansons auctions.

Methods of Payment 
Bank Transfer or Card Payment by Worldpay.


Personal cheques will only be accepted at the discretion of Hanson’s Accounts and on the understanding that NO goods will be released until bank clearance of the cheque has completed. 

6. Collection / Shipment of Goods 
All small goods must be paid for and collected within 5 working days following sale. Furniture must be paid for and collected within 3 working days. If after the alloted time the item has not been collected then a storage charge will apply, the item will also no longer be insured. Hansons shall then contact the buyer in writing to confirm that this additional charge is now in place and further to that if paid for item(s) are still not collected within another 3 weeks of the date on the letter, the items will be placed back into the next auction without reserve with the buyer becoming the vendor. All Hansons terms and conditions will now apply to the new vendor of this item. A cheque will be sent out 20 working days after the sale, this will be minus our saleroom and storage charges. 

7. Postal Service
Hansons Auctioneers do offer a postal service for clients within the UK who are not able to attend the auction or unable to collect. We are not professional packers or shippers, though we will try our best to pack items in a correct way which will ensure items arrive safely. However Hansons Auctioneers do not insure items posted and therefore will not be held responsible for making any claim for damage. There are some items that due to their nature, size or weight we cannot post out, but we can recommend couriers who you can arrange to pick the item up from our saleroom. They may also be able to insure some items which we are unable to insure. For full details see ‘Postage of items’ under ‘Our Services’ on the Hansons website. 


8. All buyers / couriers must check their purchases prior to departure from the auction. Hansons will accept no claims for loss or damage thereafter. 

9. Third Party Liability 
Every person at Hansons Auctions shall be deemed to be there at his own risk. They shall have no claim against Hansons in respect to any accident which may occur or injury, damage or loss howsoever caused. 

10. Rights of Admission 
The right is reserved to refuse admission to the auction premises and may be used by Hansons without giving a reason. 

11. Selling Rate 
Lots are sold at approximately 80 lots per hour in webcast only sales.

 

 

See Full Terms And Conditions

Tags: Royal Navy, Royal Navy Memorabilia, Militaria, Book