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Auction 153 Highlights

Welcome to Smalls Auctions Sale 153 and hopefully a brighter 2022.

We begin the Sale with a group of important historical medals which bookmark the short history of Australia. There are three early schools’ medals awarded to students who excelled in their education. The 1843 Silver Medal for the Fort Academy which was presented to George Bolton for “Diligence” is thought to be the only surviving example from this early Sydney School. And the future for Ninian Mackersey must have seemed bright when he was awarded a Silver Medal in 1851 By Hobart High School for the best English essay on the studies and prospects of Colonial Youth before he fell victim to consumption (tuberculosis) just four years later at the age of twenty-one. No such tragic fate awaited Edwin Cuthbert Hall who as Dux of Newington College received his medal for an extraordinary 7 A's with firsts in Classics, English, French and Mathematics.

Education is important but, Australians absolutely love their sporting heroes and in this sale we have a number of medals won by Charlie Lees, a foundation member of Eastern Suburbs Rugby League Football Club. 1908 was the kick-off season for the Australian Rugby League Competition and included in this Sale is a Premiership (winners) Gold Fob he received as part of the victorious 2nd or Reserve Grade team. Lees stepped up to be a member of Eastern Suburbs' first premiership winning side in 1911 when Easts defeated Glebe 11-8 scoring his side's only try making his gold fob extra special. Also included are a second Gold Premiership Fob for 1912 and a 1914 Rugby Football League 'City Cup' Winners Gold Fob. A remarkable collection for a sports buff.

The Sale continues with a cameo collection of World Coins. There are certainly plenty of quality coins on offer, but special attention should be paid to the coins of India as this series is sure to see strong growth in collector interest as the Indian Economy surges in coming decades. Much like the coins of China you can expect to see exponential growth in the values in this series in coming years.

We hope you had a restful break over the festive season and look forward to your participation in our first of many sales in 2022.

Smalls Auctions