Baldwin's of St. James's
Auction 34 12 Jun 2019
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Commemorative Medals, Victoria, Visit of the Princes of Oude to Birmingham and the works of G. R. Collis, gilt-silver medal, 1857, by G. R. Collis, bust of the Queen l., her hair tied back, rev. legend in 19 lines, STRUCK AT THE WORKS OF G. R. COLLIS TO COMMEMORATE THE VISIT OF THEIR HIGHNESSES, PRINCE ALUM NASSER ... HEIR APPARENT TO THE THRONE OF OUDE AND HIS UNCLE, PRINCE MEERZA SECUNDER ... TO BIRMINGHAM BY INVITATION OF THE MAYOR JOHN RATCLIFF, ESQR MARCH 31, 1857, 73.5mm. (BHM.2595, R4; Pudd.857.5, R4), in velvet-lined maroon case of issue, with gilt crown on lid, choice mint state and extremely rare
The visit was, in retrospect, oddly timed. In 1856 the East India Company had annexed the state and the Indian Mutiny was to break out in less than two months after the Birmingham visit. Following the siege of Lucknow, which was relieved on 27 November 1857, and the recapture of Cawnpore in December, Oude [Oudh, Awadh] reverted to British Imperial rule.
George Richmond Collis had acquired the works or manufactory of Sir Edward Thomason in the mid 1830s and the company name continued up to 1888. Collis was much involved in Birmingham life and was honorary consul for a number of foreign countries. He advertised that button and medal dies 'cut, and medals ... completed, in a few day's notice, in gold, silver and bronze'. Also that 'The extensive works are always open to the inspection of persons visiting them, and the whole processes may be seen from the raw material to the finish'.
(600-800 GBP)
The visit was, in retrospect, oddly timed. In 1856 the East India Company had annexed the state and the Indian Mutiny was to break out in less than two months after the Birmingham visit. Following the siege of Lucknow, which was relieved on 27 November 1857, and the recapture of Cawnpore in December, Oude [Oudh, Awadh] reverted to British Imperial rule.
George Richmond Collis had acquired the works or manufactory of Sir Edward Thomason in the mid 1830s and the company name continued up to 1888. Collis was much involved in Birmingham life and was honorary consul for a number of foreign countries. He advertised that button and medal dies 'cut, and medals ... completed, in a few day's notice, in gold, silver and bronze'. Also that 'The extensive works are always open to the inspection of persons visiting them, and the whole processes may be seen from the raw material to the finish'.
(600-800 GBP)