TOPIC:

djb wrote: There must be more to R Villet's medal than is in the public domain for it sold yesterday for a hammer price of GBP 2,400. Totals: GBP 3,091. R 67,240. AUD 5,510. NZD 6,000. CAD 4,980. USD 3,700. EUR 3,380. This is far higher than a similarly researched DoM QSA at Spink last year.

I agree with you David - there must be something that has escaped immediate detection - this group to Richards was sourced, very recently, for £2000. Albeit from a private collector, in my opinion it's a price nearer the mark unless the recipient was in anyway special.

Alexander Webb Richards medals I presume?

Apologies - yes

This is what I have on him so far:

Born in Hackney, London, England, 13 October 1874. Special Constable, Rindepest duty, 25 May 1896 to 24 May 1897. Enlisted in the CP D2 (45 and 336 Third Class Constable) in Kimberley, 25 May 1897. Served in the Bechuanaland Rebellion 1896-7 (CGHGSM (1) Bechuanaland). Second Class Constable 1 July 1900. Gave a piano and mouth organ medly in the concert in the Sunday show at Ellis's Fort (MM047, 6 January). Played the piano and first harmonica at the Variety Entertainment Competition and was 'congratulated on his successful training of, as well as the capital material, composing his band (MM054, 15 January). Freemason of the Austral Lodge, Mafeking, 8 April 1900. Corporal 6 December 1900. Second Class Sergeant 24 June 1902. Sub Inspector 22 September 1902. Transferred to CP D3, 23 October 1902. He married Annie Alverton Moyle in Cape Town, 21 June 1904. KSA issued 12 June 1907 to 13 Mayford Road, Wandsworth Common, London. Transferred to the Dismounted Branch. Inspector, South African Police c 1916. Lieutenant Colonel, SAP. Resided at Devonshire House, Rondebosch, Cape Town. He died in 1963. Mentioned in Nongqai, June 1916. The cover of a letter addressed to W A Richards, Cape Police D.2, Brickfields was offered on eBay in January 2022 for £8,000

Last seen at Spink in October 1999.

Picture courtesy of Woolley and Wallis

[ CGHGSM (2) Basutoland, Transkei ]
QSA (1) DoM (W. J. PITT. MAFEKING TOWN GD:)

William James Pitt.

Born c 1852. Served as a Sergeant in Nesbitt's Light Horse during the Frontier Wars (CGHGSM (2)). Served with C Section, MTG (Siege Slip nominal roll, initial J). Letter published in the Mafeking Mail condemning the behaviour of the Boers (MM018, 24 November) in which he described himself as 'I am an old soldier and have been through Kafir [sic] war'. Also served NeH (21405 Trooper) 24 November 1900 to 11 June 1901. Aged 48 at NeH attestation in Grahamstown. Trade: Miner. Nationality: English. NOK: Wife, Mary Ann, Port Elizabeth. OFS, Tr and SA01 from NeH. OFS and Tr issued 8 November 1911 to 4 Boksburg Road, Germiston

The medal to William Pitt sold yesterday for a hammer price of GBP 1,300. Totals: GBP 1,706. R 39,410. AUD 3,070. NZD 3,270. CAD 2,750. USD 2,040. EUR 1,890.

Woolley and Wallis charge 26% commission.