TOPIC: Kaplan Auctions

You need to put it into context, I think from memory there were only seventeen men in that Town Guard, every day of the week I could have the pick of dozens of MM groups, from the many thousands issued!

rdarby wrote: I bid R10,000 on the Pietersburg TG QSA. As a TG collector I really want it. So if you were under that you didn't get it. If you were over maybe you did!

But the thing is, I can get a nice MM group for the same price, which has a lot more research potential and is a decoration.

The Boer War is my thing but it needs to be kept in perspective!

Guys

Even as a South African I just do not see the value in these TG groups, unless they were involved in a siege or came under attack.

30 years ago these TG / DMT medals were going for R10 TO R20 now R10 000 .

Is this a sign of the times with people putting their money into fixed assets?

Regards
Brian

Hello Brian,
If you ever had the chance to buy a Pietersburg Town Guard for ten rand, you should have done so, but, the fact remains that this particular unit will be forever associated with the events, not only in Pietersburg, but, the whole Zoutspanberg too, that occured in 1901 and 1902.
You need to remember that General Beyers was wandering about the Northern Transvaal with a fairly large commando, which had the potential to do a lot of damage, at that particular point in time.

Yes, I do think that the market is being driven by speculators and has been for quite a few years now, medals have become very expensive.
Regards Frank

I just got my results. Each Pietersburg QSA sold for R12,000. That is a lot. Small units should not equate to value. Charging a machine gun and winning an MM is a lot more to me than most Boer battles. But I love the Boer War. I just neef more money!

That is almost £850 sterling!

rdarby wrote: I just got my results. Each Pietersburg QSA sold for R12,000. That is a lot. Small units should not equate to value. Charging a machine gun and winning an MM is a lot more to me than most Boer battles. But I love the Boer War. I just neef more money!

I'm not surprised about the price of the Pietersburg TG QSA. The small Town Guard (less than 20) were called out on the night of 22/23 February 1902 to help repel the attack of Beyers' commando on Pietersburg. 'Breaker' Morant was temporarily released from jail, handed a rifle and helped defend the town from the jailhouse roof. He was executed five days later.

Justin