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Charles James Fox
Now that we have a Coalition Government, it seems a suitable time to offer a group of medallions relating to the Whig parliamentarian and statesman, The Honourable Charles James Fox (1749-1806) who served in an earlier one. Fox was Britain’s first Foreign Secretary in 1782 and, briefly, again in the coalition government of 1783. His career was spent in opposition to William Pitt though following Pitt’s death in 1806 he was again appointed Foreign Secretary, but he was to die on 13th September that same year.
The Michael Hall Collection
It has been a privilege to have been involved in the preparation and cataloguing of Michael Hall's splendid, esoteric and vast collection for the auctioneers Baldwin's. I first met Michael when I was living in New York in 1969 and even back then, when I first saw the collection, it was impressive. By then his life in the Movies was behind him - he will be best remembered for playing the son of Frederic March and Myrna Loy in "The Best Years of Our Lives". Like George III, Michael collected medals of “Illustrious Persons” and his collection provides a rich array of portraits. Medals always featured in displays of sculpture at his gallery in New York and over the years he has been generous with his time and with the sharing his knowledge. Likewise he has been generous with his dealings with museums the length and breadth of America.
The sale held on the 4th May came within a few percentage points of the pre-sale high estimate, selling for some £440,000 [hammer price]. Part II was a smaller offering, including most of the Papal Medal collection, which saw many pieces finding homes at affordable prices. In all it realised £91,150. Now the cataloguing of Part III is completed, the catalogue preparation well under way and it will be sold on the 28th September. With Part III, as before, I will be attending the sale and will be delighted to accept commissions.
London Coin Fair
The next London Coin Fair is on Saturday, 6th November, 2010, and I will have my usual table with additional medals suitable for display or wall-hanging. The fair is held at the Holiday Inn, London Bloomsbury, Coram Street, London WC1N 1HT. The date for the following fair will be February, 2011.
Collectors with specific “Wants” should contact me prior to the shows so that I can reserve pieces, should I be able to fit the bill.
British Numismatic Trade Association
During my long career in coins and medals I have been a member of the BNTA and have attended every one of their autumn COINEX shows. Now I am a member of the Association in my own name and will be attending the 2010 Coinex on the 1st and 2nd October, with a display of historical, commemorative and decorative medals.