Rare Explorer Medals, Aboriginal Artefacts, and Royal Memorabilia

November 26, 2023 12:00 PM AEDT
Timed Auction

399 Lots

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Smalls Auctions

Location: Sydney, Australia

Phone: +61 (0)2 9357 5492

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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.

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

Welcome to Smalls Auctions Sale 243. With the new season of the Crown upon us, we have a special offering of two large plaster images of ‘Sarah’ and ‘Diana’ two Royal Ladies of especial renown. Back in 1992 the Royal Australian Mint commissioned the master silversmith Stuart Devlin to produce a series of coins featuring the Ladies of the Royal Household. He used the occasion of an official reception of President Mubarek of Egypt to photograph the Royal Ladies which he referenced to sculpt plaster images that were transferred to dies from which the coins were struck. However, there was a major complication when Lady Sarah Ferguson was captured by the Paparazzi having her toes sucked by John Bryan her ‘ahem’ financial advisor and was effectively exiled from the Royal Family. So, the coin of Sarah never came to fruition and only exists as this ‘unique’ large plaster plaque. Not so the coin of Diana which made it into the Royal Ladies Collection even though she too was at the time conducting an illicit affair with her ‘riding’ instructor Major James Hewitt. These two plaques capture the spirit of the ladies and the exquisite artistry of Devlin whose reverse coin designs also introduced Australia to Decimal Currency in 1966. Also in the Sale is a good selection of indigenous Aboriginal artefacts from stone hewn Boomerangs to sacred Churingas from Central Australia and the Kimberley’s. For the historically inclined, there are some important Explorer Medals and a First Edition Book relating to Captain Cook’s second Expedition to the South Seas. The Resolution & Adventure Medal in platina is exceedingly rare being one of only a handful that have survived with the suspension loop still intact. The book titled, “An Officer on Board 'A Voyage Round the World in the Years MDCCLXXII, LXXIII, LXXIV, LXXV by Captain James Cook, Commander of his Majesty's Bark the Resolution” is a rollicking unauthorised account of the expedition that predated the more sedate official account. It stirred considerable controversy at the time and is a real page turner. Other items of interest include two Port Phillip Kangaroo Office pieces struck in copper on copy dies for the notorious coin forger, David Allan Gee. Gee was convicted and served time in Long Bay Gaol for lifting a sizeable part of the Dixon Collection of coins from Sydney’s Mitchell Library. What was found in his possession and proven to be the property of the Library was recovered, but controversially many items that he offloaded before being caught remain in the public domain today, including three very expensive off-metal strikes of the 1919 Square Pennies. Who says crime doesn’t pay! We hope you enjoy the diverse offerings in our Sale. Smalls Auctions
Buyer's Premium
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A$250 A$999 A$10
A$1,000 A$4,999 A$25
A$5,000 A$9,999 A$50
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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.