Thank God for the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo – Wellington is finally back in the spotlight thanks to all the buzz surrounding the host of upcoming Waterloo events in the news. I’ve gone from mentions of Wellington being akin to needles in haystacks to his being in the forefront of celebratory events. Huzzah!
Speaking of Wellington related events (as seemingly everyone does nowadays) on April 1, 2015, Bonham’s, London, will hold their sale Wellington, Waterloo and the Napoleonic Wars. You can view the entire auction catalogue at the Bonham’s site here, but in the meantime we’ve rounded up a few lots from the sale that will illustrate the variety of items that will be included in the sale. Get down to Coutts Bank and draw out some banker’s drafts – there are sure to be a few items that will no doubt tempt you to buy.
A Pair of 25-Bore Over-And-Under Flintlock Officer’s Pistols
Signed E. Baker, London, Early 19th Century
With rebrowned twist octagonal sighted barrels each signed along the top flat, breeches each with gold line and platinum-lined touch-hole, signed border engraved flat bevelled locks decorated with foliage and starbursts, rainproof pans, rollers and engraved safety-catches, chequered figured rounded butts, border engraved steel trigger-guards each decorated with a martial trophy and foliage, vacant silver escutcheons, and stirrup ramrods, maker’s special proof marks (2)
17.8 cm. barrels
FOOTNOTES
- Ezekiel Baker (1758-1836) inventor of the Baker rifle and author of Remarks on Rifle Guns (1801), was Gunmaker-in-Ordinary to King George IV. He was influential in the King’s shooting and collecting, and thus played an important role in the formation of the Carlton House Armoury
Lot 35
JAMES GREEN
(British, 1771-1834)
Portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), First Emperor of the French (1804-1815), aged twenty, in a gilt wood frame
£1,000 – 1,500
US$ 1,500 – 2,300
Lot 45
CHARLES AUGUSTE STEUBEN
(German, 1788-1856)
Portrait of Napoleon
£5,000 – 8,000
US$ 7,700 – 12,000
Lot 69
MOULINIÉ, GENÈVE. A 19TH CENTURY 18CT GOLD KEY WIND OPEN FACE POCKET WATCH WITH TRIPLE ENAMEL PORTRAIT OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON
Case & Cuvette No.26361, Circa 1830
£15,000 – 25,000
US$ 23,000 – 38,000
Lot 77
MATTHEW NOBLE (1817-1876):
Arthur Wellesley, First Duke of Wellington,
£1,500 – 2,000
US$ 2,300 – 3,100
Lot 88
WELLINGTON’S HAIR
Lock of the Duke of Wellington’s hair, tied with tread, in a slip of paper inscribed “D. of Wellington’s Hair for Captain Harris. Geor. G. Adams” and the date “1857 January 5”, retained in the pocket of George Gammon Adams’ pocket sketchbook; 126 Sloane Street. London S.W., [1857]
£600 – 800
US$ 920 – 1,200
Lot 102
THE SWORD WORN BY LT. GENERAL SIR G. COOK K.C.B. AT THE BATTLE OF QUATRE BRAS AND WATERLOO
By R. Johnston, Late Bland & Foster, Sword Cutler & Belt Maker to his Majesty, 68 St. James’s Street, London, Early 19th Century
£15,000 – 20,000
US$ 23,000 – 31,000
Lot 106
ENGLISH SCHOOL, 19TH CENTURY
Portrait of John Siddall (1788-1856), Veterinary Surgeon for the Royal Horse Guards at Waterloo, seated, bust length wearing a blue millitary tunic and the Army General Service Medal and the Waterloo Medal
£1,000 – 1,500
US$ 1,500 – 2,300
Lot 128
WATERLOO MEDAL 1815,
£1,500 – 2,000
US$ 2,300 – 3,100
Lot 142
A VERY RARE WATERLOO PERIOD CEREMONIAL BASE-DRUM OF THE COLDSTREAM REGIMENT OF FOOT GUARDS
Circa 1810
£6,000 – 8,000
US$ 9,200 – 12,000
Lot 152
LORD UXBRIDGE (1ST MARQUESS OF ANGELESEY): A GEORGE IV 18 CARAT GOLD IRISH FREEDOM BOX
by Edward Murray, Dublin 1827
£50,000 – 70,000
US$ 77,000 – 110,000
Lot 157
AN EXTREMELY RARE 1822-26 PATTERN FULL DRESS SHAKO OF A LIGHT COMPANY OFFICER OF THE GRENADIER GUARDS
£5,000 – 7,000
US$ 7,700 – 11,000
I want the pistols for myself and the lock of hair to be divided between Artie's girlfriends on this blog. 🙂
That triple portrait is awesome.
Good thinking, Louisa – we'll each get three strands apiece! Denise – I still love the miniature of the Duke we found in Windsor best! I was fully prepared to sign up as a buyer for this sale, but there's nothing I "must" have. Incredible, but true. Maybe if I hadn't just bought the miniature and the D'Orsay bust in London!