Watch List notes:

Franco-British Medals, The Entente Cordiale, 1903, silver presentation plaquette, by René Gregoire (1871-1945), Britannia, with ships unloading behind her, greets Marianne, between them an altar declaring PAX, rev. as scroll suspended from a branch, Le Siecle À SIR J. LEIGH, 61 x 47mm. (BM Acq. 1983-87, p. 20, 68), on edge: ARGENT, in velvet-lined green leather case of issue with large gilt "S" and 25-30 Novembre 1903, a stylish Art Nouveau design, good very fine
Sir Joseph Leigh (1841–1908), was twice the Liberal M.P. for Stockport, 1892-1895 and 1900-1906; a much-respected mill owner, town councillor, magistrate and was involved with many local institutions, schools and hospitals. He was a director of the Manchester Ship Canal Co. and had supported its building whilst later he served as President of the Manchester Board of Trade. The French were so impressed with the cotton textiles he exhibited at the 1889 International Exposition in Paris he was made a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur. He visited Paris again in 1903 at the time of the Entente Cordiale and was awarded this silver plaque by Monsieur Lansessan, the editor of Le Siècle, a daily newspaper published from 1836 to 1932.
(100-150 GBP)