Auction 141 Highlights

Welcome to Smalls Auctions No.141

This auction includes an interesting selection of number of commemorative medals but none more evocative than the Eternal Remembrance Medal struck in bronze to mark the sacrifice of the ANZAC forces in the 1914-18 Great War. A superb example of the medallic craft and a must for any serious collector of Militaria.

There is also a pristine 1916 Gold Fob issued for the Australian Military Forces stationed at Salisbury Plain.

This ties in neatly with the poster advertising the Australia v Great Britain Grand Cricket Match at the nearby Knowle Cricket Club. Comrades in arms but foes on the Cricket pitch the poster reads “A Representative Australian XI from Salisbury Plain v. Knowle." During World War I at least 210 first class cricketers from the British Commonwealth joined up to fight in the war including many Australians. Since 1916 Salisbury Plains had acted as a training camp for soldiers from the A(ustralian) I(mperial) F(orces) and cricket provided a calming interlude for troops being prepared for battle. Although no major cricket matches were held in England from September 1914 to May 1919 the odd charity match was played such as the Knowle (XI) versus an Australian XI. Although only a partial date appears on the poster it can be confidently dated to 1918 by the 4 July 18 postmark that appears on a stamp on the back.A great souvenir of the cricket wars and a portend of a greater match that was yet to come.

The auction also offers a number of ivory carvings, a few small collectables, some interesting world coins, and some autographs of the movers and shakers of the 20th Century. We hope you find something to satisfy your collector interests.

Smalls Auctions