Laid at Nelson's side...

[alexlitandem]

This medal was brought to my attention this morning, by Peter W:

http://www.smithandwilde.co.uk/viewitem.php?id=132

Estimate beyond £40k.

To be sold in September.



Gosh.

[alexlitandem]

I don't, personally, yet know what is precisely impressed on the medal.

But, you can see from the link in my post above what the 'auctioneers' state is impressed.

REEVE.

You can also see what the auctioneers [ this is only their second Sale coming up in September; not yet an heritage to match that of, inter alia, Spink, Morton & Eden, DNW ... and many others... but they are, it is true, scheduled to conduct their second auction in September... so, there you go, they must be `auctioneers'.] state on their web-site about the recipient of the medal.

They call him REEVE.

Let me share a few observations here?

And then invite yours?

Lewis B. Reeves was indeed awarded an NGS.

Trafalgar clasp.

Present, and wounded, aboard Victory

Not Lewis B. Reeve as the `auctioneer's site' states.

A detail, a god-like detail, the best - the most credible - `auctioneers' would not overlook.

It doesn't matter if the medal is indeed impressed `Reeve'; you catalogue that - as a demonstrable fact - but then point out that the man was actually called REEVES.

When you don't, you merely look inept - at best.

An estimate of £40-50k?

A clear world-record target price for a Trafalgar NGS.

Offered by an `auction house' with one previous Sale to its name.

And the Vendor?

Well, I for one don't know.

But, I want to ask you this: If you personally owned the NGS awarded to Reeves ( He really did exist, he really did get wounded, he really was on Victory etc.,etc.,)... why - WHY - would you offer the medal for sale via an apparently total newcomer to the auction house world?

Everyone, of course, has to get a great breakthrough, a chance to get a headline item sold.

Just like, now can anyone help me here...

err...

That's right, the recent non-sale of another NGS `on eBay', to Sharman.

[I wonder; could the vendors be related?]

It's a lovely shiny medal. With a nice new ribbon.

From an unknown vendor, via an un-established auction `house'.

With a world record estimate, reportedly, attached to it.

Here are some other statements by the auctioneers in question:

Quote:

-British east african navel company sword 1885-1895

-Gentelman-at-arms full dress helmet

-Here are some of the Militaria catagories

-Antiquerian & New Books

-Headress

End Quote.

Hmm.

Expert?

Reliable?

Hmm.

[PMarione]

Don't know how the fake market is in that field?

At 40k certainly worth to spend some time on it and easier to do than a fake manuscript.

@+P

[alexlitandem]

Patrick,

It would be a brave man or woman, of course, who would `fake' a world-record-setting ( or aspired to world-record price-setting ) medal.

The fact is that smaller, or sometimes regional and smaller, auction houses, do occasionally discover that once-in a-lifetime- wonderful item and actually get to take it to market. And, simply, some vendors just don't enjoy dealing with the more `famous' auction houses for a variety of reasons.

I'm just intrigued on this one and hope that what is an exceptionally rare medal actually gets sold to a good home, for a great price, and that we all might learn a little more about the medal's history en route.

[PMarione]

Hitler's diary?
Jack the Ripper's journal?