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Militaria - Medal Collections at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood’s Specialist Sporting & Collectors’ Auction
Predicting future market trends in antiques is somewhat like choosing the Lottery numbers, considering the vast range of antiques and collectables that are consigned to the specialist and weekly Antiques & Collectables auctions at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood’s Exeter saleroom complex.
One market that has shown consistent strength and growth over the past few months has been Militaria and in particular medal collecting. It is poignant that in the centenary year of the start of World War I, the strong market for medals is a timely reminder of the sacrifices made during this and many other lesser known conflicts. A recent consignment to the saleroom comprised of a single owner collection of over 200 medals from the Battle of Waterloo through to the Korean War.
The history and significance of the Battle of Waterloo is widely known, but in medal collection terms it also has significance. The Waterloo Medal was the first medal to be officially named and awarded to all ranks who took part in a single campaign. Collectors are willing to pay from £1,000 to £4,000 for a medal depending upon the Regiment. The Army of India Medal was one of the last medals to be awarded in connection with The Napoleonic Wars, for the Battles in India and Burma between 1803 and 1826. This medal is scarce as many of the recipients were not alive when it was introduced in 1851 and, because of the association to Arthur Wellesly, 1st Duke of Wellington who died in the same year, prices can reach upwards of £3,000 for an example.
The Military General Service Medal was sanctioned in 1847 for those who took part in land actions upon the defeat of Napoleon in 1814 and the concluding battles with the war with the United States. Decorated with a kneeling Wellington being bestowed with a victor’s laurel by Queen Victoria, the medal was awarded with a number of clasps. A maximum of fifteen clasps could be issued, increasing the values from £1,000 to £5,000 and above.
Medals from historic campaigns, of course, fetch a premium amongst collectors, but there are those who still continue to collect groups from both World Wars. From the First World War over two and a quarter million 1914-15 Stars were awarded and over six million Victory medals were thought to have been produced for British and Imperial forces. In addition to these over one and a half million Memorial plaques were sent to the families of those who died on active service during the war. Similar numbers of medals were awarded for the Second World War and from these figures it is possible to see the interest in medal collecting, as everyone would have had at least one family member who was involved.
While the value of General Service Medals is relatively low, individual groups and family groups continue to raise interest with collectors, particularly if personal photographs, papers and diaries accompany them. The personal effects add the experience and emotions of the recipient and serve as an unofficial version of history that rarely tends to be seen in the history books.
These medals and others will be offered for auction in Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood’s Specialist Sporting & Collectors’ Auction to be held at their Exeter saleroom complex on 3rd September 2014.
For further details please call Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood on 01392 413100
First published By The Dart July 2014
