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Lot 117
Ca. 19th century AD. A group comprising a Qajar or Turkish glazed pottery kashkul of hemispherical form, decorated with pink roses in blue vases on either side, with two lozenge-shaped motifs on top, one open and the other adorned with floral patterns and two suspension loops in the shape of bird heads. Previously acquired by Ahuan U.K. Ltd from Dr. Ziya Sofu, London, 23 July 1975. included is a Qajar pearlescent seashell, likely a large oyster shell, engraved with a court scene showing a seated ruler among courtiers in a garden with flowering plants and birds, framed by scrolling arabesques, and inscribed "Amal Isfahan" (Made in Isfahan). Such shells, often containing loose pearls, were a speciality of Isfahan. Prior Reza Attigechi, Tehran, 1976. The group also contains a Qajar lacquer mirror case or shallow box, engraved on one side with eight seated figures in a landscape and six figures in a similar setting on the reverse. Completing the collection is a Qajar enamelled copper bowl with a wide rim, featuring eight waist-length portraits of youths, two wearing crowns, against a blue ground within oval lozenges, separated by vase-shaped panels with birds in flowering bushes. The outer bowl showcases two lozenges with portraits of blue-robed youths on a pink ground, over two panels with pairs of figures in a landscape. Purchased from Brimo de Laroussilihe, Paris. 8 December 1976. Size: 200mm-240mm, 120mm-200mm; Weight: 1.85kg Provenance: Previous property of an Islamic art professional. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter.
Lot 216
A pair of serving plattersSilver 800/000Plain centre of shells and foliage reliefs frieze decoration to lipInscribed to back "Souvenir de Madame Julien 26 novembre 1913 Ã son neveu Jules Lovet" and "Plateau de la Paix E.O. 1917"Belgium assay warrantee mark, with no Portuguese hallmarks(wear)Diam.: 35,5 cm1700,1 g
Lot 250
A set of 4 collector's Lifetime edition bound field guides in light brown genuine leather covers with orange bookmark ribbons. Set includes: Atlantic Seashore; Southeastern Seashores; Atlantic Shells; and Pacific Shells. The Set measurements: 5"L x 5"W x 7.5"H. Issued: Late 20th centuryDimensions: See DescriptionManufacturer: The Easton PressCountry of Origin: United StatesCondition: Age related wear.
Lot 242
A Majolica pottery spittoon 19th century, the edge moulded with scallop shells, in motteld green and brown glaze 22cm diameter 8cm high together with a similarly decorated shell shaped dish raised on dolphin supports 23cm wide 22cm deep 5cm high (2)Provenance: The Estate of the Late Jackie Mann Condition Reportcrazed but no obvious major defects
Lot 437
pair of Nigerian Yoruba "Ibedji" (twin)sculptures in wood with patina of use and age and with original vest with shellsAFRIKA - NIGERIA mooi paar zgn "Ibedji" - (tweeling)sculpturen van de Yoruba in hout met gebruiks- en ouderdomspatine en met originele vest met schelpjes - hoogtes : ca 33 cm
Lot 202
antique Tibetan damaru with typical polychrome, shells and pennant in embroidered silk - with a younger textile coverAntieke Tibetaanse typisch gepolychromeerde rituele trommel, een zgn "damaru", versierd met schelpjes en met typische wimpel in geborduurde zijde - hoogte : 17,5 cm - met jonger etui in textiel
Lot 346
Chancy Culture tomb gift : "Cuchimilco" sculpture in earthenware with mud painting and with the possible representation of a priest The holes in the headgear were intended for hanging small shellsCHANCAY-CULTUUR - ca 900 tot 1532 grafgift : "Cuchimilco"-sculptuur in aardewerk met slibbeschildering en met de mogelijke voorstelling van een priester - hoogte : 20 cm - gesokkeld De gaatjes in het hoofddeksel waren bedoeld voor het ophangen van kleine schelpjes
Lot 438
African northern Cameroun "Dawayo" doll from the Namji in wood with beads, cauri shells, coins, ...AFRIKA - Noord-KAMEROEN - 1° HELFT 20° EEUW zgn "Dawayo" pop van het Mamji - volk in hout, behangen met kralen, caurischelpen, munten, penning, stukken van een slaapmat, .... - hoogte : 25 cm - gesokkeld werd aan jonge vrouwen gegeven om de vruchtbaarheid te bevorderen
Lot 441
Nigerian "Yoruba" shrine-altar known as Ile Ori ("house of the head") with cauri shells, glass plaques, ... and on top a metal birdAFRIKA - NIGERIA "Yoruba" - altaar, een zgn 'Ile Ori' ("huis van het hoofd") met cauri-schelpjes, glasplaatjes, ... en met bovenaan een vogel in metaal - hoogte : 64 cm uit een collectie van Schilde
Lot 241
A lady's 9ct rose gold cased wristwatch - with expandable 9ct rose gold bracelet, the white dial (hairlines emanating from centre) with Roman numerals, 15-jewel Swiss movement, the back of the case with an O'Neill family 1927 presentation inscription; period retailer's case marked 'Sharman D. Neill Ltd. - Goldsmiths to the King, Donegal House, Belfast ' (20 g) The inscription reads 'Nanny - from Phelim, Con and Nial O'Neill - 1909-1927'. Phelim O'Neill (1909-1994) succeeded his father, Hugh O'Neill, as MP for North Antrim in 1952 and as the second Baron Rathcavan in 1982. He was expelled from the Orange Order in 1968 for attending the the Roman Catholic funeral service of a friend. His middle brother, Con O'Neill (1912-1988) was a career diplomat. During the war he was appointed to the Political Warfare Executive. In this role he interrogated Rudolf Hess and organised the bombardment of enemy lines in Tunisia with 25lb shells loaded with propaganda leaflets. After the war he was a leader writer for the Times (1946-47), appointed Ambassador to China (1955-1957) and to Finland (1961-1963). He led the British delegation which negotiated Britain's entry into the EEC in 1973. The youngest brother Nial O'Neill (1918-1980) served with the Irish Guards during the War and afterwards farmed in Scotland. Condition Report: The watch appears to be in good working order and has a strong, rapid tick held to the ear although no guarantees can be given.
Lot 238
TWO EARLY 20TH CENTURY INDONESIAN KAUER (SUMATRA, LAMPUNG) EMBROIDERED COTTON JACKETS. From striped burnt orange and indigo cotton, one woven with striped silver thread and embroidered with two vertical panels and applied with mirrored sequins, the other embroidered with gold thread with a cross within a lozenge and applied with sequins, the indigo back panel embroidered with geometric motifs in gilt thread, each stitched with white shells to the collar, the first with red and yellow floral printed cotton lining and the other with cream cotton lining, approx. 30cm long (2)Jackets of this type were made by Kauer women prior to marriage. Overall both jackets are extremely decorative and finely worked. The majority of the applied shells are present. The example with embroidered gilt thread to front - with two holes to the cotton fabric at the back of neckline, there are several areas where the gold thread embroidery is loose/lacking to the front and with losses to sequins, the stitching under the arm is slightly loose. The second with some wear to collar, some tearing to lining, minor staining, some threads pulled, including to the underarm area. Some typical and relatively minor wear overall.
Lot 118
A Great War ‘Western Front’ Battle of Loos 1915 D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private J. Francis, 9th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, for his gallantry in carrying a wounded officer, from an advanced position, some 200 yards under heavy fire, to safety, during which action he was wounded Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (12674 Pte. J. Francis. 9/Devon: Regt.); 1914-15 Star (12674 Pte. J. Francis. Devon: R.); British War and Victory Medals (12674 Pte. J. Francis. Devon. R.) nearly very fine (4) £600-£800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916; citation published 11 March 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry. During an enemy counter-attack he carried a wounded officer, from an advanced position, some 200 yards under heavy fire, and, although wounded himself while doing so, he persisted in his efforts until he had gained our trenches.’ James Francis enlisted on 7 September 1914 as a Private in the Devonshire Regiment for the duration of the War and joined the 9th (Service) Battalion under training on Salisbury Plain. The battalion disembarked at Havre joining the 7th Division at Wizernes on 31 July 1915. Their first major action took place during the attack on Loos on 25-26 September 1915. It was in this action that Frances was recognised for his act of bravery and during which he received serious wounds that resulted in his discharge 1 March 1917. C. T. Atkinson’s Great War History of the Devonshire Regiment references the rescue: ‘Captain [S. C.] Nation was badly wounded and had to be left behind... He escaped capture by hiding in a dug-out and next day succeeded in crawling back to Gun Trench... To get him to the dressing station meant crossing 200 yards of ground swept by shells and rifle fire, but two men of his company [13263 Cpl R. J. Melhuish and 12674 Pte J. Francis] volunteered to carry him and accomplished the errand safely using a trench ladder as a stretcher.’ Sold with copied research.
Lot 668
Wreckage from Zeppelin L31 Three pieces of wreckage of the German Zeppelin L31, that was brought down over Potters Bar by Second Lieutenant W. J. Tempest, Royal Flying Corps, the first Canadian to shoot down a Zeppelin from the air, on 2 October 1916, comprising fragment of the airship’s outer duralumin lattice, and two pieces of the airship’s engine (?), with R.C.M.I. accession numbers in ink to first and second, all in relic condition (lot) £300-£500 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Zeppelin L31 was an R-Class Imperial German Navy super Zeppelin commanded by Heinrich Mathy. 198m in length with a crew of 19 and a maximum speed of 64mph, it took part in several raids over London during the Great War. It was shot down over Potter’s Bar by Second Lieutenant Wulstan J. Tempest, a Canadian serving with the Royal Flying Corps, shortly after midnight on 2 October 1916 with the loss of the entire crew. Tempest’s own report is a vivid account of how the L31 met her end: ‘There was a heavy ground fog on and it was bitterly cold, otherwise the night was beautiful and starlit at the altitude at which I was flying. I was gazing over towards the NE of London, where the fog was not quite so heavy, when I noticed all the searchlights in that quarter concentrated in an enormous pyramid. Following them up to the apex, I saw a small cigar-shaped object, which I at once recognised as a Zeppelin, about 15 miles away, and heading straight for London. Previous to this I had chased many imaginary Zepps only to find they were clouds on nearing them. At first I drew near to my objective very rapidly (as I was on one side of London and it was on the other and both heading for the centre of the town): all the time I was having an extremely unpleasant time, as to get to the Zepp I had to pass through a very inferno of bursting shells from the A.A. guns below. All at once, it appeared to me that the Zeppelin must have sighted me, for she dropped all her bombs in one volley, swung around, tilted up her nose and proceeded to race away northwards climbing rapidly as she went. At the time of dropping her bombs, I judged her to be at an altitude of about 11,500 feet. I made after her at all speed at about 15,000 feet altitude, gradually overhauling her. At this time the A.A. fire was intense, and I, being about five miles behind the Zeppelin, had an extremely uncomfortable time. At this point my mechanical pressure pump went wrong, and I had to use my hand-pump to keep up the pressure in my petrol tank. This exercise at so high an altitude was very exhausting, besides occupying an arm, this giving me one hand less to operate with when I commenced to fire. As I drew up with the Zeppelin, to my relief I found that I was free from A.A. fire, for the nearest shells were bursting quite three miles away. The Zeppelin was now nearly 15,000 feet high, and mounting rapidly, I therefore decided to dive at her, for though I held a slight advantage in speed, she was climbing like a rocket and leaving me standing. I accordingly gave a tremendous pump at my petrol tank, and dived straight at her, firing a burst straight into her as I came. I let her have another burst as I passed under her and then banking my machine over, sat under her tail, and flying along underneath her, pumped lead into her for all I was worth. I could see tracer bullets flying from her in all directions, but I was too close under her for her to concentrate on me. As I was firing, I noticed her begin to go red inside like an enormous Chinese lantern and then a flame shot out of the front part of her and I realised she was on fire. She then shot up about 200 feet, paused, and came roaring down straight on to me before I had time to get out of the way. I nose-dived for all I was worth, with the Zepp tearing after me, and expected every minute to be engulfed in the flames. I put my machine into a spin and just managed to corkscrew out of the way as she shot past me, roaring like a furnace. I righted my machine and watched her hit the ground with a shower of sparks. I then proceeded to fire off dozens of green Very's lights in the exuberance of my feelings. I glanced at my watch and saw it was about ten minutes past twelve. I then commenced to feel very sick and giddy and exhausted, and had considerable difficulty in finding my way to ground through the fog and landing, in doing which I crashed and cut my head on my machine-gun.’ For his gallantry that night Tempest, the first Canadian to shoot down a Zeppelin from the air, was awarded the D.S.O. ‘in recognition of conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in connection with the destruction of an Enemy Airship’ (London Gazette 13 October 1916). Subsequently awarded the Military Cross and advanced Major, he is commemorated in the names of two streets in Potters Bar, ‘Tempest Avenue’ and ‘Wulstan Park’, close to where the L31 crashed. Sold with copied research, including numerous photographic images of the wreckage, one of which is annotated: ‘Despite the presence of the military [standing guard], many souvenir hunters managed to sneak off with fragments of the wreckage.’
Lot 285
Pair: Private G. Robertson, 4th South African Infantry, who suffered gas poisoning at Delville Wood, Somme, on 20 July 1916, and was wounded and taken Prisoner of War at the famous last stand at Marriéres Wood on 24 March 1918 British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte G. Robertson. 4th S.A.I.) mounted for display, edge bruising, otherwise good very fine (2) £200-£240 --- George Robertson was born in Wandsworth, London, with his next of kin being listed as his sister - residing at Jeppestown, Johannesburg, South Africa. Robertson enlisted for the 4th South African Infantry at Potchefstroom in August 1915, and embarked for the UK on 29 September 1915. He served in the French theatre of War from 21 April 1916, and suffered gas poisoning whilst serving with ‘E’ Company at Delville Wood, Somme, on 20 July 1916. After recuperation in the UK, Robertson returned to France on 13 July 1917, and was wounded in action and taken Prisoner of War at Marriéres Wood on 24 March 1918. Possibly the most impressive feat of arms by the South African forces in the War took place in March 1918, when the Germans attacked in Operation Michael. The brigade fought a staunch defence on the first morning of the attack - 21 March 1918 - at Gauche Wood, near Villers Guislain. By 24 March they had carried out a fighting withdrawal to Marriéres Wood near Bouchavesnes and there held on, completely unsupported. They fought on until only some 100 men were left, yet it was only when ammunition ran out that the remainder, many of whom were wounded, surrendered. The following additional details are provided in an article entitled ‘Marriéres Wood 24 March 1918,’ by Andre Crozier, which was published in Military History Journal Vol 18 No 2 - June 2018, of The South African Military History Society: The German Spring Offensive ‘On 21 March 1918 General Ludendorff launched his massive Spring Offensive, Operation Michael, against the British 3rd and 5th Armies in a desperate attempt to win the war before the Americans arrived in force. The South African 1st Infantry Brigade, which formed part of the Scottish 9th Division and of the British 5th Army, held the line at Gauche Wood on the boundary between the 3rd and 5th British Armies. Aided by mist and complete surprise, the offensive started with a tremendous artillery barrage firing gas shells into the rear areas to disrupt the artillery and supply lines. Sixty-five divisions attacked over a 100 km front. The South Africans held on at Gauche Wood but had to withdraw in the afternoon as the division on their southern flank had been pushed back. Everywhere the front was collapsing, with 21 000 British soldiers being taken prisoner on the first day. It looked like Ludendorff had won the war. The South Africans conducted a fighting retreat over three days under the most difficult circumstances, as the units to their flanks kept falling back. Eventually they were ordered to hold 'at all costs' a line at the village of Bouchvesnes on the strategic Peronne - Bapaume road. The brave stand at Marriéres Wood Major-General Dawson was in command, and he conveyed the orders to the South African Brigade, by then reduced to only 500 men. There would be no further retreat. They would stand and fight to the last. Dawson decided to defend a line to the north-west of Marriéres Wood astride a minor road leading from Bouchvesnes to Combles and utilising some old trenches. The battle started at 09.00 on Sunday, 24 March 1918. The South Africans had no artillery support nor support on either flank and were soon surrounded. They were pounded all day by artillery fire and their position was swept with machine gun fire. Their ammunition was rationed and yet they managed to beat off repeated attacks. Eventually, at 16.00, surrounded, with no ammunition and with only about 100 men left, General Dawson decided to surrender. Some men tried to flee, but they were mowed down as the ground to the west was open with no cover.’ Robertson was repatriated from Germany on 26 December 1918. He returned to South Africa in in December the following year, and was discharged in January 1920. Sold with copied service papers.
Lot 57
An extremely rare Second War ‘Normandy June 1944 (D-Day Plus 1) operations’ D.S.O. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel R. G. Kreyer, 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, late 1st Battalion (Prince of Wales’s Own) (Sikhs), 12th Frontier Force Regiment, who having distinguished himself on the North West Frontier landed with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on Sword Beach, 6 June 1944. Kreyer was Second in Command of the 2nd Battalion for D-Day, and took over command the following day as a result of the death of the C.O. Colonel ‘Jumbo’ Herdon during the attack on Lebisey. He continued to command the Battalion until the 11th of June, and was wounded in the subsequent fighting around Cuillerville Wood, when the Battalion came up against Tiger tanks
Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially dated ‘1944’, with integral top riband bar; India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. R. G. Kreyer, 1-12 F.F.R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, good very fine or better (6) £4,000-£5,000 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, July 2004 D.S.O. London Gazette 31 August 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Normandy.’ The original recommendation states: ‘Major Kreyer took command of the 2nd Royal Warwicks when the C.O. was killed during the early stages of the attack on Lebisey on 7 June 1944. On entering the wood the Battalion came under very heavy and unexpected sniper and machine-gun fire from all directions in very thickly wooded country. Communications between companies broke down. Casualties were very heavy and considerable disorganisation resulted. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Major Kreyer took over control and restored what had become an extremely critical situation. Later, when enemy tanks attacked, the Battalion having lost its anti-tank guns, with great coolness he re-organised the troops to meet this unexpected menace with the result that the last attack failed to achieve its purpose. Finally, on orders from Brigade, he successfully withdrew the Battalion in good order from its position which had become untenable. Throughout the operation his cool judgement, leadership and contempt of danger were of a high order and a great inspiration to all ranks.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 16 August 1938: ‘For distinguished services in connection with the operations in Waziristan, North West Frontier of India, 16 September to 15 December 1937.’ Robin Grey Kreyer, who was born in April 1910, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on the Supplementary Reserve in September 1930. Afterwards placed on the Unattached List for an appointment in the I.A., he arrived in India in October 1932 and was posted to the 1st Battalion (Prince of Wales’s Own) (Sikhs), 12th Frontier Force Regiment, at Sangor. Kreyer was advanced to Lieutenant in December 1934 and was mentioned in despatches for distinguished on the North West Frontier whilst attached to the 5th Battalion, Queen’s Own Corps of Guides. Just one year on from this announcement, however, Kreyer disappears from the Indian Army List, a fact that goes someway to supporting a contention that he was compelled to resign his commission as a result of some petty offence. So it was that he enlisted in the ranks of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on the renewal of hostilities in 1939, and went out to join the B.E.F., almost certainly with the 2nd Battalion, whom he would later command immediately after D-Day. This assumption being right, he would have participated in the bitter fighting at Wormhoudt in late May 1940. Mercifully he was not among the 80 or 90 men - most of them from the 2nd Warwickshires - who were taken prisoner, herded into a barn and murdered by the S.S. Undoubtedly, though, Kreyer distinguished himself, for in a somewhat unusual announcement made in The London Gazette on 21 March 1941, it was ordained that ‘Lance-Corporal Robin Grey Kreyer (44716), Royal Warwickshire Regiment’ was to be appointed a substantive Lieutenant (w.e.f. 15 February 1941). By the time of the Normandy landings in June 1944, Kreyer had risen to the rank of Major and was serving as Second in command of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, part of 185 Infantry Brigade, 3rd British Division. As such, he must have been among those who landed at Sword Beach on D-Day, an incident recorded for posterity by a fellow Battalion officer: ‘Dawn came - few had had much sleep - even fewer managed to eat breakfasts - some looked very ill in spite of sea-sick pills ... land was just in sight, and the rumble of naval guns rolled back to us across the water, as we steered in line ahead through the narrow lanes swept by the mine-sweepers, towards the shore. Soon it was time to assemble, as the craft fanned out into line abreast. Kits were put on - guns checked over - all was ready, and the men moved forward to their stations. Occasionally a whining sound would swish over the ship, our first experience of an angry missile ... We could see the spouts of water shoot up as enemy bombs and shells fell into the sea; and small clouds of black and white smoke rise up as the enemy fire came down on the beaches. The naval guns had lifted to targets behind, but our ‘planes swept overhead ... Nothing hit our craft as we raced in, but other companies were not so lucky ... At last we touched the beach. Down went the ramps and ashore we stumbled, lugging our kits through the last few yards of shallow sea, up breathless and anxious on to the sandy beach...’ Other companies were indeed ‘not so lucky’, one Warwickshires’ L.C.I. (Landing Craft Infantry) hitting a mine as its bow grounded, and another being hit three times by shellfire offshore and having both of its landing ramps shot away by mortar fire. Further casualties were sustained later in the day, when, according to the regimental history, ‘a glider fleet of the 6th Airborne Division’s follow-up units appeared over head, circled and came in to land right among the Warwickshire men, undeterred by the black puffs of flak that greeted them. One glider unhappily descended on top of two B Company signallers who, wearing headphones, had not realized the danger. Both were killed.’ In fact, by the evening of D-Day, having moved a mile or two inland along the River Orne, Kreyer’s Battalion had sustained four fatalities and 35 wounded. Yet far worse was to follow when the Battalion was allocated to attack Lebisey on D-Day plus 1, the 7 June 1944, the village and wood having been occupied by a Battalion of the 125th Panzer Grenadiers (21st Panzer Division), a ‘fresh unit of formidable fighting quality’. It was here that Kreyer won his immediate D.S.O., taking over command of the Battalion when his C.O., Colonel “Jumbo” Herdon, was killed by machine-gun fire. As the regimental history states, ‘it was some consolation that his 2nd in command, Major R. G. Kreyer, took over with admirable firmness’, firmness of command that he successfully displayed until the arrival of a replacement C.O. on 11 June 1944. Battalion casualties, meanwhile, had increased by 10 officers and 144 other ranks on the 7 June alone, an indication of the ferocity of the fighting during Kreyer’s tenure of command. Inevitably, perhaps, he was wounded in the subsequent fighting around Cuillerville Wood, when the Battalion came up against Tiger tanks and endured ‘the worse shelling than it had to endure at any period in the whole campaign.’ He was, ...
Lot 103
An outstanding Second War Coastal Command Immediate D.F.M. group of four awarded to Flight Sergeant J. S. ‘Jack’ Garnett, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve As Second Pilot to Flying Officer J. A. Cruickshank in a Catalina of 210 Squadron on 17 July 1944, Garnett’s name is indelibly linked to one of the finest Victoria Cross actions of the war: but for his own stoicism in facing off his wounds and taking over the controls, none of his crew would have reached safety Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1390283 F/Sgt. J. S. Garnett. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for wearing, nearly extremely fine (4) £14,000-£18,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- D.F.M. London Gazette 29 September 1944. The original recommendation states: ‘This N.C.O. was the Second Pilot of a Catalina aircraft which sighted and attacked a fully surfaced U-boat on the 19 July 1944. The attack was pressed home at a very low altitude by the Captain in the face of heavy and intense flak which killed the navigator/bomb aimer outright, severely wounded the Captain and front gunner as well as slightly wounding Flight Sergeant Garnett. Immediately after the attack the Captain collapsed in his seat. Flight Sergeant Garnett, promptly took over the controls, righted the aircraft and climbed into a fog patch ahead of him. From then on Flight Sergeant Garnett assumed the captaincy of the damaged aircraft and organised the crew for the homeward journey of five hours. Although not qualified as a First Pilot on Catalinas he brought the damaged aircraft safely back to base and successfully landed it in difficult water conditions (glassy calm) in the half light of early morning. Owing to the damage sustained to the hull, it was necessary to effect an immediate beaching, which operation he conducted with conspicuous success and beach it finally in an extremely well chosen spot. From the moment he took charge he handled the situation in the manner of an experienced First Pilot. By his prompt action immediately after the attack, his skill in flying the aircraft back to base without a navigator, his successful landing and well-judged beaching he undoubtedly saved the lives of his crew and was responsible for the safe return of his aircraft.’ John Stanley Garnett was born in Barnet, Hertfordshire on 4 November 1911. Joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, he was selected for pilot training and qualified for his ‘Wings’ in Canada, in addition to attending a navigation course at Pensacola, Florida. He subsequently joined the strength of Coastal Command’s 210 Squadron in early 1944 and, by the time of the above related action, had completed about 100 hours of operational flying. And that action is best summarised in Chaz Bowyer’s For Valour – The Air VCs: ‘ … At 1.45 p.m. Cruickshank got airborne from the Sollom Voe base to start a patrol calculated to last at least 14 hours. For the next eight hours the Catalina swept its patrol area, seeing little of importance, and its crew were reaching the point of thinking ahead to the return to base at the end of yet another monotonous sortie. Then, at 9.45 p.m. the radar showed a contact at 6821N, 0556E, - a surface vessel some 43 miles ahead. The flying boat at that moment was flying at 2000 feet above the ocean and Cruickshank’s immediate reaction to the sighting report was to approach the unidentified ‘contact’. Further on he suddenly saw the vessel - a submarine, doing approximately 14 knots on the surface. At first the crew thought it must be a ‘friendly’ sub, but Cruickshank ordered a recognition cartridge to be fired and the code letter of the day to be flashed to the submarine to ensure identification. His answer was an immediate heavy box barrage of flak - it was a German U-boat. Cruickshank’s response was to pull the Catalina into a complete circuit around the U-boat and begin his first run-in, descending from 1,000 feet to 50 feet as he nosed towards his target. At 1,000 yards’ range the Catalina’s front gunner commenced firing to make the German gunners take cover, and his tracers splashed around the submarine’s conning tower and ricocheted away in crazy parabolas; then the waist blister guns joined in the attack. Roaring over the U-boat the Catalina’s depth charges failed to release, so Cruickshank turned to port, climbing to 800 feet and continuing his turn to begin a second attack. Shouting to his crew “Everybody ready?” Cruickshank paused to hear the responses and then yelled, “In we go again.” The U-boat was now nearly stationary, giving its gunners a more stable platform as they prepared for the Catalina’s second attack. Flak shells began to slash along the flanks of the flying boat as it bore in; then as the U-boat came directly under Cruickshank’s vision, one shell exploded inside the Catalina, creating havoc. The navigator, Dickson, was killed instantly, Appleton [an Air Guner] was hit in the head by shrapnel, and Harbison [the Flight Engineer] wounded in both legs. In front of Garnett’s second pilot seat the windscreen shattered, and further inside a fire broke out. Cruickshank received wounds in both legs and his chest, but gave no indication of his injuries, intent as he was on completing his attack. From 50 feet above the U-boat Cruickshank personally released a stick of six depth charges in a perfect straddle of the submarine, then pulled up into the clouds of sea fog ahead of him. The aircraft crew saw no more of their target, but behind them the U-347, commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Johnann de Bugr, was rapidly sinking - Cruickshank’s aim had been true. U-347 had been one of an Arctic flotilla, and this was only her second patrol. In the Catalina, the crew took stock of the damage and crew injuries. The hull was riddled with flak damage, with a foot-long gash along the waterline. The aircraft radar set was out of commission, and one of the main petrol lines was leaking fuel steadily. The latter was particularly worrying; in their immediate location, 190-degrees west of the Lofoten Isles, north-west of Norway, the crew realised that it was at least five hours’ flying back to base at Sullum Voe. The various holes in the main hull were stuffed with various canvas engine covers and ‘Mae West’ preserver life jackets by various crew members; while up front Garnett took over the controls from Cruickshank and told Appleton to come and tend to the skipper’s wounds. Appleton began to cut away the legs of Cruickshank’s uniform trousers to staunch the obvious flow of blood, and then Cruickshank’s face went white and he fainted. Garnett and Appleton managed to lower the unconscious pilot from his seat and carried him aft to the only remaining unburned rest bunk; then Garnett returned to his forward seat. Appleton began to dress Cruickshank’s leg wounds and only then discovered the several chest wounds suffered by his captain - Cruickshank had not said anything about these. As the pilot regained consciousness soon after, he immediately made a move to go forward to his seat at the controls, being anxious about the fuel state, but Appleton restrained him gently, explaining that Garnett had everything under control there. Cruickshank’s next thought was for his navigator, but from the look on Appleton’s face, realised that Dickson must be dead already; indeed, he must have unconsciously known this after the explosion in the aircraft during the second ...
Lot 159
A late Victorian silver travelling curling tongs warmer, of rectangular form, the exterior decorated with foliate scrolls and shells, the hinged cover opens to reveal an interior burner, and foldable stands, A&J Zimmerman, Birmingham 1900, actual silver weight indeterminable, length (when opened) 17.8cm, weight 269g/8.64ozt gross all-in approx
Lot 819
Thomas Kirkby (attributed) for Minton, an Urbino Majolica style faience painted comport, circa 1864, footed and scalloped, the central Renaissance roundel of Cupid and companion within a laurel wreath surrounded by fruit strewn shells, on a vine clad trellis, puce ermine mark, 30.5cm diameterNote: see Jones, J. 1993, Minton, p.139, for an example of this painted design attributed to the same artist, probably from the same service
Lot 295
A FINE PAIR OF 25 BORE FRENCH SILVER-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK PISTOLS BY BARGE, ‡ PARIS CHARGE AND DISCHARGE MARKS FOR 1756-62, MAISON COMMUNE MARK FOR 1758with blued three-stage barrels, fitted with silver fore-sights on a gilt bed of swirling clouds and a sunburst, decorated with bands of gilt beadwork and foliage about the muzzles, an elaborate classical trophy-of-arms at the median, gilt bands around the muzzles, signed in gold over the breeches, decorated with scrollwork and stylised clam shells within a framework of punched and gilt pellets (the blueing now oxidised to brown), border-engraved tangs decorated with differing trophies-of-arms, bevelled locks signed within rococo scrollwork frames, chiselled with trophies on the tails, foliage on the cocks and stylised espagnolette masks on the steels, all against a finely punched and gilt ground (one top-jaw expertly replaced), figured walnut full stocks carved in low relief with linear mouldings over the fore-ends, a wavy pattern beneath the locks, sprays of laurel, fronds and flowers behind the rear ramrod-pipes and about the barrel tangs, silver mounts cast and chased with rococo ornament in low relief against a gilt fishroe ground, comprising side-plates involving a pair of cornucopia carrying an oval engraved with differing trophies en suite with the respective tangs, trigger-guards with flaming urn finials, the bows engraved with trophies matching the tangs, spurred pommels decorated with rococo shell ornament and trophies against a finely punched and gilt ground, a pair of ramrod-pipes, original horn-tipped ramrods, and remaining in fine condition throughout, 38cm (2) ProvenanceProperty of a European Collector, sold in this room 9th December 2009, lot 269. Henri Barge is recorded arquebusier in Paris circa 1740-80.
Lot 157
AN EDWARDIAN MAHOGANY BIJOUTERIE TABLEof shaped rectangular outline, the glazed lifting top enclosing fabric lined interior, on slender cabriole legs with low undertier, 77cm high x 62cm wide x 43cm deep and containing mixed decorative contents including mother of pearl crucifix and four carved cowrie shells
Lot 367
Various Toy Field guns, including Oliver, Harper & Co (circa 1915) boxed tinplate Famous French 75mm Field gun with instruction and wooden shells, Royal Navy twelve pounder with wooden shells and two Trench Bomb Throwers with instructions (condition good to fair some surface rust, boxes fair), Britains 18 in Heavy Howitzer with instructions and shells, R.A gun (condition good, boxes fair to good), Astra 3.7 Anti-Aircraft gun (good box fair to poor), and three further Field guns, (10).
Lot 3133
"Partridge" Auchentoshan Guaranteed Over 12 Years Old Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Distilled at Auchentoshan Distillery, Dalmuir, Scotland by Stanley P. Morrison Ltd., 40% vol 75cl (six bottles)Tasting Notes: Citrus bursts alongside fresh cut grass and pistachio shells on the nose, the taste is sweet with hints of orange and honey, with a dry ginger fininsh that vanishes too quickly Tasting notes are subjective and purely the opinion of the individual
Lot 3135
"Partridge" Auchentoshan Guaranteed Over 12 Years Old Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Distilled at Auchentoshan Distillery, Dalmuir, Scotland by Stanley P. Morrison Ltd., 40% vol 75cl (six bottles)Tasting Notes: Citrus bursts alongside fresh cut grass and pistachio shells on the nose, the taste is sweet with hints of orange and honey, with a dry ginger fininsh that vanishes too quickly Tasting notes are subjective and purely the opinion of the individual
Lot 3132
"Partridge" Auchentoshan Guaranteed Over 12 Years Old Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Distilled at Auchentoshan Distillery, Dalmuir, Scotland by Stanley P. Morrison Ltd., 40% vol 75cl (six bottles)Tasting Notes: Citrus bursts alongside fresh cut grass and pistachio shells on the nose, the taste is sweet with hints of orange and honey, with a dry ginger fininsh that vanishes too quickly Tasting notes are subjective and purely the opinion of the individual
Lot 3134
"Partridge" Auchentoshan Guaranteed Over 12 Years Old Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Distilled at Auchentoshan Distillery, Dalmuir, Scotland by Stanley P. Morrison Ltd., 40% vol 75cl (six bottles)Tasting Notes: Citrus bursts alongside fresh cut grass and pistachio shells on the nose, the taste is sweet with hints of orange and honey, with a dry ginger fininsh that vanishes too quickly Tasting notes are subjective and purely the opinion of the individual
Lot 123
W. H. Russell. The Atlantic Telegraph. c.1865. 1st. Colour frontis, 24 tinted lithographs, and chart. The plates include the 5 beautiful South Kerry views including Valentia, Port Magee and Foilhummerum Bay. Fine original decorative cloth cover with gilt nautical tableau of sea shells, sailor knots and U.S. and U.K. symbols . All edges gilt
Lot 447
A CARVED GILTWOOD MIRROR ITALIAN, EARLY 19TH CENTURY The frame decorated with lion masks and shells 146cm high, 125cm wide Provenance: Cambi Casa d'Aste, Genoa, Fine Old Frames (248), 8th March 2016, Lot 174 - purchased by Count Manfredi della Gherardesca Condition Report: Mirror with the marks, knocks, scratches and abrasions commensurate with age and use.Some shrinkage cracks to frame. Gilt appears to have been refreshed/re-gilded at some point. Gilt surface with the expected wear, chips, cracking and marks. It appears there is evidence that the gilt surface appears to have been applied with gold leaf. There are definite areas of 'bronze dust' however it is difficult to tell. Please refer to close up images of the gilding.The visible mirror is approx 107cm high x 84.5cm widebehind the mirror is 112.5cm high x 91cm widePlease note there is reference of old wood worm to the back.Mirror plate is a later replacement. Please refer to additional images for visual reference to condition. Condition Report Disclaimer
Lot 132
2x WW2 Zuckerman Pattern Senior Fire Patrol Home Front Helmets, grey painted shells, one having stencilled in red ‘S F P’ to the front and the other having ‘S.F.P’ in a type of decal. The first is complete with the original liner system, the other without liner. Both generally good. (2 items)
Lot 492
Two cased sailors' shellwork valentines, last quarter of the 19th century, each with two 7½-inch panels decorated with concentric bands and blocks of various shells, the first inscribed 'A GIFT FROM A FRIEND', the other 'REMEMBER ME', each within a glazed teak case,each approximately 47cm wide (open)7cm deep (closed)23cm high (2)Condition ReportSome small chips and loose shells, the 'Remember Me' example with more areas of loss to the left hand panel. Lacking moulding to the left panel, hence he glass is loose. Dirt and dust. Hinges functional. Some wear and small losses to each case.
Lot 126
A pair of Flight, Barr and Barr Worcester porcelain urns, early 19th century, each with a detachable lid over a body painted with panels enclosing topographical scenes, with a beaded rim and raised on an integral plinth similarly decorated, with descriptive inscriptions underside in red, 13cm wide10cm deep24cm high,together with a pair of Barr, Flight and Barr Worcester spill vases,each painted with shells to a pink ground, with a beaded band and gilt-heightened decoration, inscribed and signed in red to the underside, impressed 'BFB' crown mark,8cm diameter9cm high (6)Condition ReportPaint flaking and evidence of over-painting and restoration to the two covers. Repair to one example where urn circular base meets square plinth. The smaller pair appear in good order with light wear.
Lot 566
The coronets of the 2nd Earl and Countess Peel, the Earl's in gilt-metal, with eight 'pearls' and shells in place of strawberry leaves, crimson velvet lining and gold tassel, ermine band, with a fitted case, case 29cm wide 26cm deep 29cm high, the Countess's in silver, maker's mark IP, London 1901, the circlet with eight raised points each surmounted by eight 'pearls' and textured strawberry leaves, the rim of ropetwist and polished detail on an ermine trim, to a crimson silk velvet cap and tassel (3) Provenance: The Peel Family; Woolley & Wallis, 'Medals & Coins, Arms & Militaria', 3 May 2018, lot 1267. From the effects of the Peel family and so assumed to be the coronets of the 2nd Earl and Countess Peel, as worn at the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953. Condition ReportThe Earl's with one pearl detached. Overall both are stable but with some cosmetic defects. Please see additional images for reference.
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