Baldwin's of St. James's
Auction 37 25 Sep 2019
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Exploration: Voyage of HMS Challenger 1872-1876, and 'Report on the Scientific Results of the Challenger Expedition, 1886-1895', the posthumous large bronze medal awarded to William Alexander Forbes, by William S Black and William Birnie Rhind, Neptune holds wreath around head of Britannia, rev. armoured knight by naval trident, throws down gauntlet, name inscribed on the edge, W. A. FORBES, 75mm., in original red leather case of issue (slightly warped), from James Chrichton & Co, Edinburgh (BHM.3487, R2), extremely fine and rare
William Alexander Forbes (1855–1882), English ornithologist. Forbes had been very young to have been involved in the Expedition and following it he published Reports on the collections of birds made during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger; On the birds of Cape York and the neighbouring islands (Raine, Wednesday, and Booby Islands); Report on the anatomy of the petrels (Tubinares) collected during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger, in the years 1873-1876. The collected scientific papers of the late William Alexander Forbes, edited by Frank E. Beddard, was published in 1885. Forbes is confirmed on Glenn M. Stein's roll of recipients, stating of the medal, 'Posted to Mrs. Forbes'.
The Challenger Expedition of 1872-1876 was the first oceanographic research cruise to be undertaken. HMS Challenger was loaned for the expedition by the Royal Navy and was extensively modified for the task, with space being cleared for the storage of samples and gear with two laboratories, one for chemistry and one for natural sciences. HMS Challenger left Plymouth on 7 December 1872, under the command of Captain G. S. Nares, with 20 naval officers, 200 crew and a team of six scientists led by Dr Wyville Thomson. Travelling the world's oceans on a three and a half year-long cruise, the scientific team gathered data on the weather, and examined the physical, chemical, biological and geological nature of the oceans and ocean floor. Discoveries included the driving force of the oceanic currents, 4714 new species of marine life and a new understanding of oceanic topography, ranging from the heights of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to the depths of the Marianas Trench. After a voyage of some 80,000 miles, HMS Challenger returned to Spithead on 24 May 1876. From the data and samples amassed, 100 scientists under Sir John Murray continued the research; the results were published over eleven years and in 50 volumes. A further voyage was made by the Challenger during 1886-1895.
Confirmed in Glenn Stein's Roll. Only 120 medals believed issued. These were issued from the Challenger office in Edinburgh.
(350-450 GBP)
William Alexander Forbes (1855–1882), English ornithologist. Forbes had been very young to have been involved in the Expedition and following it he published Reports on the collections of birds made during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger; On the birds of Cape York and the neighbouring islands (Raine, Wednesday, and Booby Islands); Report on the anatomy of the petrels (Tubinares) collected during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger, in the years 1873-1876. The collected scientific papers of the late William Alexander Forbes, edited by Frank E. Beddard, was published in 1885. Forbes is confirmed on Glenn M. Stein's roll of recipients, stating of the medal, 'Posted to Mrs. Forbes'.
The Challenger Expedition of 1872-1876 was the first oceanographic research cruise to be undertaken. HMS Challenger was loaned for the expedition by the Royal Navy and was extensively modified for the task, with space being cleared for the storage of samples and gear with two laboratories, one for chemistry and one for natural sciences. HMS Challenger left Plymouth on 7 December 1872, under the command of Captain G. S. Nares, with 20 naval officers, 200 crew and a team of six scientists led by Dr Wyville Thomson. Travelling the world's oceans on a three and a half year-long cruise, the scientific team gathered data on the weather, and examined the physical, chemical, biological and geological nature of the oceans and ocean floor. Discoveries included the driving force of the oceanic currents, 4714 new species of marine life and a new understanding of oceanic topography, ranging from the heights of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to the depths of the Marianas Trench. After a voyage of some 80,000 miles, HMS Challenger returned to Spithead on 24 May 1876. From the data and samples amassed, 100 scientists under Sir John Murray continued the research; the results were published over eleven years and in 50 volumes. A further voyage was made by the Challenger during 1886-1895.
Confirmed in Glenn Stein's Roll. Only 120 medals believed issued. These were issued from the Challenger office in Edinburgh.
(350-450 GBP)