Rare Australian Historical Medals and Other Collectables

March 3, 2024 12:00 PM AEDT
Timed Auction

327 Lots

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Smalls Auctions

Location: Sydney, Australia

Phone: +61 (0)2 9357 5492

Payment

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Accepted Forms of Payment: American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Other, Paypal, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

AUSTRALIA :

Purchases within Australia will be charged a MINIMUM SHIPPING FEE of $10.00 and will be sent by Registered Post.

Additional insurance is optional at the buyer's expense.

Larger lots may incur an additional charge.

OVERSEAS :

Overseas purchases will be charged a MINIMUM SHIPPING FEE of $35.00 and will be sent by standard International Post.

Additional insurance is optional at the buyer's expense

Larger lots may incur an additional charge.

If we are unsure of the bona fides of a successful bidder we may request identification such as a Passport Photo or Drivers's Licence that matches the Credit Card details registered with Invaluable before we despatch an item.

Both Australian and International packages are traceable in transit and may require a signature on delivery.

Welcome to Smalls Auctions Sale 254 In this Sale we have a number of historical medals and badges peculiar to Australia’s unique history. A most interesting item is the 1851 Hobart Town School Prize Medal awarded to Ninian Mackersey for the best English essay on the studies and prospects of Colonial Youth. The future must have looked bright for the seventeen-year-old Ninian when he stepped up to receive his award in December 1851. However, a cruel fate awaited young Ninian as the Campbell Town District Register of Deaths records his tragic demise from consumption (tuberculosis) just four years later at the age of 21. A less savoury aspect of Australia’s history was its championing of the ‘White Australia Policy.’ We have two badges relating to this policy with the first trumpeting ‘White Australia Protection’ & ‘Australia for Australians’ while the second was issued by the Toowoomba Branch of the ‘Australian Natives Association.’ The later was a mutual society founded in April 1871 with membership restricted to White Australians born in the colonies. Its charter excluded its involvement in politics, but it was a strong supporter behind the scenes of both Federation and the White Australia Policy. Although Australia endeavoured to shut the door on non-Commonwealth migrants it loosened its stance after WWII ended, albeit with some caveats. Although British citizens i.e. ‘Ten Pound Poms’ were still preferred, other migrants were tiered in terms of desirability with Australia accepting some European refugees displaced by the War. It also accepted arrivals from War allies including the Nationalist Chinese. One of the most intriguing is the Australia (Nationalist) China Chamber of Commerce Victoria 'Committee Member' Medal struck in Sterling Silver. It dates from the 1950s and displays a flag associated with the Kuo Min Tang (Chinese Nationalists) who ruled mainland China from 1927 to 1949 before relocating to Taiwan after losing the Chinese Civil War. The traditional Chinese characters which appear on the medal were phased out by the Communists when they seized control in 1949 but are still used to this day in Taiwan & Hong Kong, With Mainland China once again threatening to march on Taiwan it is a rare relic of China’s troubled history. However, on a lighter note if you are a fan of Lawn Bowls look no further than the Australia 1912 'Australian Bowling Team' Badge styled on an Australian 1912 Florin. In 1911, Bowls Australia was formed at a conference of state delegates and the first Australian Championships were held the next year in 1912 from which an Australian Team was selected. This badge from the inaugural bowling championships for singles and fours is an exceedingly rare item which by definition may have been given to five or so team members. As usual there is a fine selection of Jewellery, Coins and Banknotes, eclectic Collectables and some unique Militaria including some desirable Trench Art. One of the more interesting items of Militaria is a German South West Africa 'Prisoner of War' Pass Token circa 1906. These were struck from struck from spent artillery shells at the Artillery Depot at Windhukand passes numbered between 17,001-18,000 were allocated to POW's held at Swakopmund. We hope you find something of interest in our Sale. Smalls Auctions.
Buyer's Premium
$0-99: 20.0%
$100-499: 20.0%
$500-999: 20.0%
$1,000-4,999: 20.0%
$5,000+: 20.0%
Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
A$0 A$249 A$5
A$250 A$999 A$10
A$1,000 A$4,999 A$25
A$5,000 A$9,999 A$50
A$10,000 + A$100

Conditions of Sale

VAT and taxes: The Buyer's Premium is inclusive of the Australian G(oods) & S(ervices T(ax) incurred by our service.

Shipping Terms: AUSTRALIA :

Purchases within Australia will be charged a MINIMUM SHIPPING FEE of $10.00 and will be sent by Registered Post.

Additional insurance is optional at the buyer's expense.

Larger lots may incur an additional charge.

OVERSEAS :

Overseas purchases will be charged a MINIMUM SHIPPING FEE of $35.00 and will be sent by standard International Post.

Additional insurance is optional at the buyer's expense

Larger lots may incur an additional charge.

If we are unsure of the bona fides of a successful bidder we may request identification such as a Passport Photo or Drivers's Licence that matches the Credit Card details registered with Invaluable before we despatch an item.

Both Australian and International packages are traceable in transit and may require a signature on delivery.

Buyers Premium: All purchases are subject to an all inclusive 20.0 % Buyer's Premium on the hammer price.

Tax Details: Taxes, Duties and Customs Charges that apply in the country of delivery are the express responsibility of the buyer.

Please notify us if you require a specific description on the outside of the package for customs purposes.