St. James's Auctions
Auction 49 5 Oct 2021
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Germany, Wilhelm II (1859-1941; Kaiser 1888-1918), the Spithead Naval Review, silver crown-sized medal, 1889, by L. C. Lauer, ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET, uniformed bust of the Kaiser r., in cocked hat and wearing Garter Sash, rev. THE NAVAL REVIEW / AT SPITHEAD / 5 TH AUGUST / 1889, bird's eye panorama of the reviewing ship and ships in line, milled edge, 38.5mm. (BHM 3369; MH II, 417; Marienb. 10470), extremely fine and rare
Queen Victoria had already appointed Wilhelm II as a Knight of the Garter in 1877, but in 1889, on his accession, she appointed him an Admiral of the Fleet and invited him to review the Fleet. It is well documented that the Kaiser was so consumed by envy when he witnessed the splendour and size of the British fleet that he returned home determined to build his own fleet and also to build it bigger and better. It may be argued that the Naval Review was the spark that led to the Anglo-German 'Arms Race' and ultimately led to the catastrophe of the Great War.
(250-300 GBP)
Queen Victoria had already appointed Wilhelm II as a Knight of the Garter in 1877, but in 1889, on his accession, she appointed him an Admiral of the Fleet and invited him to review the Fleet. It is well documented that the Kaiser was so consumed by envy when he witnessed the splendour and size of the British fleet that he returned home determined to build his own fleet and also to build it bigger and better. It may be argued that the Naval Review was the spark that led to the Anglo-German 'Arms Race' and ultimately led to the catastrophe of the Great War.
(250-300 GBP)