The Claremont Collection of Historical Medals

Great Exhibition, Hyde Park, 1851, Council Medal, a copper award by W. Wyon and J.F. Domard, conjoined heads of Victoria and Prince Albert left, trident and dolphins in field, rev. Britannia crowning standing figures of Commerce and Industry, flags and artefacts behind, edge named (T.S. Reed & Co., Class VI.), 89mm (Allen A1; BHM 2461; E 1455). Small edge bruise, otherwise extremely fine £300-£400---Provenance: W. Palmer Collection, Heritage Auction (New York), 9 January 2005, lot 22664.Thomas Sadler Reed (1818-1914), b Bristol; partner in the family wine and spirit business, 1842; moved to Derby 1848, invented a patent power loom for the silk industry (Great Exhibition, Council Prize); moved to Kensington, London, 1860; emigrated to Adelaide, Australia, 1866; served two terms as chairman of the Destitute Board, 1867-77 and 1880-88; secretary of the South Australian branch of the Royal Geographical Society 1903-14; d Torrensville April 1914------For more information, additional images and to bid on this lot please go to the auctioneers website, www.dnw.co.uk