English Historical Memorabilia

A rare and very interesting antique Georgian bronze medallion cased set of printed discs titled CHRONOLOGY OF THE SOVEREIGNS OF ENGLAND and believed to have been produced around 1815...

A Large Early 18th Century Framed Indenture Document. The document (deed) is written in lengthy hand-written detail. Issued in three parts, indentures were legal documents cut with w...

A charming set of three boxed coin shaped medallions celebrating the silver jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. The medallions of rounded shape are each contained in a turned boxwood ...

An original edition of the Coronation Souvenir Book of King Gorge VI 1937 by Gordon Beckles, Published by Daily Express Publication, London, 1937 This edition was published to mark ...

English oil on canvas portrait dating from the late 1700s painted in the manor of Joshua Reynolds. We believe the giltwood frame could be the original as it is right for the period. ...

This late 19th-century English leather top hat box, paired with an American-made beaver fur top hat, exudes timeless craftsmanship and style. The b...

An authentic WWI-era Princess Mary box of brass. A stamped brass box, circa 1914, given as a thank you gift to all commissioned British troops at ...

A very rare unique example of British late Victorian 19th century Ivory and rosewood walking stick/cane. Carved Ivory clenched fist holding a r...

Small blue and white decorative plate or saucer by Jonson Brothers. Circular in shape with pinched edges, this plate depicts a scene of Carisbrooke Castle England in 1792.

For your consideration is the original Art Deco leather handbag. The chrome frame with an etched geometric design handle is stunning and with a leather frill along the edge really se...

For your consideration is this superbly stylish 1930s vintage leather and chrome trim ladies handbag, the size and color are an absolute dream, ...

A rare vintage colour model 356 telephone manufactured by Siemens Brothers & Co Ltd in 1954 for the Post Office. The phone has got a removable tray for storing your local dialing co...

A WWII ship's bell from the Royal Navy minesweeper HMS Queen of Thanet, dated 1941. Pendant number J-30. Diameter: 27cm - 10 ½ inches. Height: 28 cm - 11 inches. HMS Queen of Thanet (J30), formerly HMS Melton, was a Racecourse-class minesweeper of the Royal Navy. She was built by William Hamilton & Company in Port Glasgow, Scotland. Melton was launched in March 1916 with the pennant number 898. During World War I she served with the Auxiliary Patrol. Post-war she was transferred to the Mine Clearance Service. Between the wars Melton was sold to Hughes Bolckow Shipbreaking Co in 1927. She was bought by The New Medway Steam Packet Company in 1929 and converted for excursion work on the River Medway and River Thames. She was renamed Queen of Thanet. For the next twelve years she could be found working from Sheerness and Southend. Regular excursions took her to Gravesend, Margate, Clacton and Dover as well as cross-channel voyages to Calais, Boulogne and Dunkirk. In September 1939 she was requisitioned by the Admiralty for minesweeping duties once more and commissioned as HMS Queen of Thanet, pennant number J30. In May 1940 she took part in the Dunkirk evacuation rescuing 4,000 men in four trips. Of that number, 2,000 were transferred from the ex-LNER steamer Prague, after the latter had been damaged by near misses from shells and dive bombers off Gravelines. For Operation Overlord in June 1944 she was stationed at Selsey as the Mulberry Despatch Control Ship. After the war she was returned in 1946 to her owners to recommence excursion work around the Thames Estuary. In January 1949 she was sold to Red Funnel and transferred to Southampton. After refitting at Thorneycroft's yard at Northam she was commissioned in the spring as the company's second Solent Queen. For the next two years she operated excursions from Southampton in the summer. In June 1951 while slipped for survey and repair, she caught fire and was written off as a constructive loss. She was scrapped by Dover Industries Ltd at Dover Eastern Docks in 1951 Literature on HMS Queen of Thanet see: Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships...

Leather motorcycle boots. The boots are in great condition with rubber soles fitted on to the leather. Possibly a size 8 or 9. The boots are stamped...

Staffordshire portrait figure of standing Franklin, Circa 1850 Depicting Ben Franklin before a tree-stump, holding a tricorne hat against his left hip, a document in his right hand,...

Early 20th century English Enamel Equestrian Silver Flask Unidentified Maker England; early 20th century Silver, enamel Approximate size: 6 (h) x 3 (w) x 1.25 (d) in. Crafted in E...

A handsome medium-sized British officer's military Campaign camphor trunk or chest of brass-bound and studded leather over camphor wood, circa 1820. Manufactured by the British East India...

Exceptional large carved wood crest representing the British Royal family. Beautiful patina, original painted finish.

For sale a very rare early 19th century infants coffin carrier, this would of been housed on a horse and cart hearse. The casket has a decorative wrought...

This antique Victorian knife cleaning and sharpening machine was made by Kent's of London England in circa 1880 in the period Victorian style. The machine is composed of two sharpening stones...

EVERY LAWYER AND JUDGE MUST HAVE! This extraordinary bronze gavel, dated 1603 and weights 1,3 kg. It is a rare and evocative example of early ceremonial instruments. Cast in the form of a clenched fist- symbolising authority, resolve, and order- it is mounted on a worn, aged wooden handle that enhances its historic character. The craftsmanship and materials suggest it originated in medieval or early Stuart England, a period when guilds, courts, and civic bodies often used symbolic tools to assert power and structure in meetings and proceedings. While the term “gavel” became widely recognised in the 18th and 19th centuries, mallet-like instruments were used much earlier, particularly in English trade guilds and legal contexts, where they served as emblems of control and decision-making. The clenched fist design is highly unusual, possibly denoting a unique ceremonial role or elevated authority within a guild or council. This piece is not only a striking object of early design but also a rare surviving example from the transitional period between the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras...

An extremely rare ring that commemorates the naval hero, Horatio Nelson, who died in 1805 at the Battle of Trafalgar, fighting against the Napoleonic forces. Dr William Nelson, the admiral's brother, ordered 58 mourning rings for family and friends and every admiral and post-captain who fought at the Battle of Trafalgar . The ring is inscribed on the bezel ‘Trafalgar’; outside the hoop with Nelson’s motto in Latin, ‘Let him who earned it bear the palm [of victory]’, adopted by Nelson from a poem ‘Ad Ventos’ written in 1727 by John Jortin (1698-1770). Inside is the inscription ‘Lost to his country 21 October 1805, aged 47’. The initials N and B stand for Nelson and Bronte. Admiral Nelson was given the title of Duke of Bronte in 1799 by the King of Sicily and in 1801 became a Viscount. The two coronets above the initials refer to these titles. Tthe motto Palmam qui meruit ferat ("let him who has earned it, bear the palm") was added to his coat of arms in 1798 after the Battle of the Nile. Nelson was buried with full honours in St Paul's Cathedral. His cortege consisted of 32 admirals, over a hundred captains, and an escort of 10,000 soldiers. This ring is an example of only fifty-eight that were made by Nelson's jeweller John Salter in 1806. Thirty-one were for Nelson's close family and friends, the rest for pall-bearers and other dignitaries (see The Nelson Dispatch, vol.3 pt.XII, oct.1990). Three similar examples of this ring are held extremely prestigious museums in the capital. One is in the Greenwich National Maritime Museum in London, another in The British Museum in London and another in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, exhibited in the Jewellery Gallery, case 23, no. 8. The ring has a particularly special provenance, arguably like no other mourning ring of Admiral Nelson’s. The ring belonged to the Reverend Alexander John Scott. The Reverend Alexander John Scott (1768-1840) was a British naval chaplain. He was appointed to the flagship H.M.S. Victory in 1803 where he served as private secretary to Lord Nelson. He was with Nelson when when he was shot on the quarter-deck of the Victory at the battle of Trafalgar on the 21st October 1805. Scott attended his dying chief in the cockpit of the flagship, receiving his last wishes. He refused to leave Nelson's body until it was brought back to England and placed in the coffin to lie in the Painted Hall Greenwich. The ring, lock of hair and music book were passed down by the direct descendants of the Reverend Alexander John Scott's family and eventually gifted to the previous owners. The music book was a personal possession of the Reverend which gives watertight provenance of the person who owned the ring. It is not clear exactly what Admiral Nelson’s last words really were although Scott documents Nelson’s last words to be “God and my country“. However, it is also recorded that a statement during his last hours was "Thank God I have done my duty.” Perhaps these two statements uttered in the last moments sound similar when mumbled by a feeble dying man. Nonetheless, it is noteworthy is that Scott remained by Admiral Nelson’s side as he died and his version is probably the most reliable. The lock of hair is reputedly that of Lord Admiral Nelson. Without a DNA test there can be no conclusive proof of such. However, given that Reverend Alexander John Scott was with Nelson from the moment he was shot on the quarter-deck of H.M.S. Victory until the moment he was placed in his coffin, there is no reason to believe it is not a lock of Nelson’s hair. It is difficult to overstate the significance and rarity of Nelson’s mourning rings. With only fifty-eight made, the vast majority of them were given to close family members and only a few were given to close friends. A close friend who receives a morning ring...

Presented is an June 1783 issue of London's "The Gentleman's Magazine," containing significant historical content relating to the end of the Revolutionary War, the 1777 Flag Resoluti...

A rare set of stamps celebrating Princess Diana 1961 - 1997 Issued by Royal Mail 1998 The unusual thing about this set is that they haven't been " stamped " Unused. near mint con...

A very good antique Greek Revival cast iron kylix, by the celebrated sculptor Edward William Wyon (1811-1885), for the Great Exhibition at Crysta...

A working British marching or sighting compass of brass with original leather case from World War I - made for military and civilian use. A handsome piece of militaria and a fine me...

18th century English noblewoman in a gold gilt ornate period frame. Lovely detail and color, coat of arms in corner. Unsigned. Without the frame the painting itself measures 29 inche...

Framed crest with Latin inscription " Spero Meliora". Translates to I hope for better things. Seems to relate to the Moffat Clan of Scotland.

Watercolor painting of cavalry soldier on galloping horse, monogramed. This watercolor painting is executed in a masterful technique. The finest details and bright colors make this artwork a treasure. A military cavalry...

A British military officer chest. Exceptional rectangular British military officer's travel trunk chest, superbly rebuilt and refurbished in beautifully patinated antique leather ...

19th Century copy of 18th century portrait of Robert Harley, 1st Earl of Oxford, (born 1661, London, died 1724, London). He was a British statesman who headed the Tory ministry from ...

A fine presentation sword given to Lieutenant Charles Peake as a token of gratitude by the Men of His Ship when recommissioned for Foreign Service i...

A large crest with shell and scroll carved frame enclosing an azure ground with gilded coat of arms featuring a cross with four birds over lions and fleur de lis and Tudor roses. Onl...

This silver presentation vase is a small replica of the classical Roman ‘Warwick Vase’. The body is cast and chased with fruiting vines below the rim. The central field has a continuous band with bearded Bacchic heads floating above a lion’s mask and pelt. The applied handles comprise gnarled twisted vine stems. The spreading stem is set on a square foot which in turn sits on an ebonised wooden plinth base. The plinth is applied with two vacant laurel wreath cartouches and two rectangular plaques, one finely engraved with the Royal Coat of Arms and the other inscribed “Plymouth, Devonport and Cornwall Races 1845, the gift of her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, Augustus Coryton Esqr, W. R. Fortescue Esqr, Stewards” and “Her Majesty’s Vase, value 100gs., for three-year-old and upwards – Heats, about two miles, starting at the T.Y.C. Starting-post, once round, to the Grand Stand Winning-post.” Fully marked and stamped on the side of the foot ‘Hunt & Roskell Late Storr & Mortimer 2225’. English, assayed for London 1845. Provenance: Her Majesty Queen Victoria. Sir John Barker-Mill, Baronet of Mottisfont.Thence by descent. John Barker (1803-1860) was created 1st Baronet ‘of Mottisfont in the County of Southampton’ on 16 March 1836. A noted racehorse owner, Barker won numerous prestigious trophies with Giantess, Cymba, Miss Ellis and Pugilist. His most prestigious horse, Leviathan, sire of Giantess, won 16 of 21 starts and was sold to George IV for 2,000 guineas. Plymouth, Devonport and Cornwall Races were held from 1828 until 1930. The racecourse was a flat, oval course of 12 furlongs with a straight run-in of 2 ½ furlongs. ‘Royal Plates...

This pair of early Victorian three-stage bronze signal cannon are set on elm carriages with bronze fittings. Each 39 inch tapering barrel has one reduction and a ball cascabel. Th...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique 18th century Irish sterling silver cup; an addition to our 17th century silverware collection This e...

An Oriental Toothpaste pot, Staffordshire, England, circa 1880. Transfer printed in black on a creamy white earthenware, the base and the sides of the lid are printed in a pattern o...

Considered the first step into the world of modern photocopying, the copying machine was among the first widely used devices to successfully produce an ex...

A very large George III rosewood gallery magnifying glass, the circular glass within a rosewood frame, the baluster handle screwing into a brass bra...

A rare and handsome English Arts & Crafts period miniature oak bureau from the early 20th century with nicely aged patina. Exquisitely hand-crafted in England over a century ago, e...

PRESENTING AN EXTREMELY RARE EDITION hardback copy of ‘Bibliomania or Book Madness; A Bibliographical Romance. Illustrated with Cuts’, by Thomas Frognall Dibdin, D.D. New and Improve...

Antique 1901 Gold Handled Dandy Walking Stick, Monogrammed Date Offered for sale is an antique "Dandy" walking stick with a gold repousse cap that is engraved with the date of Sep...

A fine example of a Queen Anne letters patent on vellum with a partial Great Seal and beautifully detailed portrait of the Queen. This document dates to the late 17th or early 18th c...

This 19th C English Field Artillery Ammunition Carrier dating about 1850 - 1860. The carrier has painted canvas over a wood frame and heavy leather carring handle. The carrier is sta...

For your consideration is this superbly stylish and rare 1930s black silk velvet clutch bag originating from England. Features a chrome frame and cla...

For your consideration is this wonderfully stylish English ladies handbag made from cord with a butterscotch coloured catalin Bakelite clasp. This is a totally authentic bag...

Frank Brangwyn. An important armchair. Brangwyn's last interior designs were for the Canadian Pacific Liner; 'The SS Empress of Britain', which was launched in 1931 by the Prince of Wales, later to be King Edward VIII who renounced his throne to marry Wallis Simpson in 1930. These armchairs were designed for the 1st class dining room; 'The Salle Jacque Cartier' (see last image) and they were made by H.H. Martyn and Co. Cheltenham. The 1st class dining room was described in the Bulletin of The Decorative Arts Society 1890-1940 as 'In the fully fledge modern restaurant and cinema style of the 1930s'. The Studio in a long article on the liner, discusses and illustrates Brangwyn's Salle Jacques Cartier: 'So architectural it is, so true proportion, so devoid of Extraneous ornament. In contrast to this austerity of line, hue and colour, his great wall paintings are rich in colour; composed in the bold, yet intricate pattern of figure, fruit and flowers that characterizes Mr Brangwyn's decorative works'. Tragically the liner was sunk in 1940 by a U-boat. Brangwyn also designed marquetry panels for the private dining rooms and they were executed by the Rowley Gallery, he also designed a frieze carved in wood for their gallery façade in 1936. The armchair has a central under bar below the seat which still has the original bolt and eye to secure the chain to and then to the floor, that would prevent all the chairs from sliding around in stormy weather. It is lacking ivorene numbered disc which would have sat in the very top of the head rail. In October 1940 the most famous of the Canadian Pacific Railway liners and flagship of the company's Atlantic Fleet, the Empress of Britain, was attacked and sunk. She was travelling to Glasgow from Suez via South Africa, where she was bombed near the north-west coast of Ireland by a German Focke Wulf Condor plane. When the Condor attacked the Empress of Britain the ship's crew couldn't shoot the plane down and soon the Empress was burning out of control and the Captain C.H. Sapsworth gave the order to abandon ship. 45 people died and the remaining survivors including women and children, were later rescued that day by the British destroyer HMS Echo and the Polish destroyer Burza and 3 British naval trawlers Paynter, Cape Agona and Drangey. The Empress still burning managed to stay afloat and the day after 2 Royal Navy tugs, Marauder and Thames tried to tow her into port with many escort ships around her but in spite of the protection she was given from the escort ships on October 28th, a German U-boat, U-32, managed to get by the escorts un-noticed and torpedoed the crippled Empress. She sank within ten minutes. The Empress of Britain was the largest Allied passenger liner to be sunk and weighing 42,348-tons she was the biggest merchant ship loss of the war. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth had travelled aboard Empress of Britain after their 1939 Royal Tour...

Three mortice chisels, all with sturdy ash handles by Sorby & Co with steel blades, two stamped T. Turton & Sons, another by Sorby & Co, one also stamped Sheaf Works and all bearing the initial W.D for the War Department, dated 1862. English. Footnote: These three chisels represent three of the most famous firms from the great age of steel manufacturing in Sheffield. Sorby & Co was founded in 1828 and remains a world leading manufacturer and exporter of specialist woodworking tools and equipment. William...

A rare find are these totally original enamel gents matching cufflinks dating from the 1930s. Great Art Deco geometric styling and color, can't be confused with any other era can the...

For your consideration is this superbly stylish and rare 1930s Art Deco pyramid box bag, a beautiful design. I can't sing the praises of this bag enough, it's an absolute delight. Th...

This wooden Folk Art made propeller clock is presumed to have originated in England and fashioned into a mantel clock in North America in circa 1960. T...

Antique English Victorian Coromandel wood fitted traveler's box Compendium, Circa 1850-1860. Made by J.T. Needs, Late Bramah: Purveyor to Her Majesty, Prince Albert & the Royal Family.

Antique Brass Fox Head Walking Stick, Glass Eyes, Glove Ring Offered for sale is an antique Victorian brass fox-head walking stick with a brass glove ho...

Framed with a rampant lion within an ermine robe. Michael Kittredge Collection.

These bronze figures show Edward, Prince of Wales, standing in a nonchalant pose with one leg crossed over the other, a cigar in his left hand, his hat at his feet and a shotgun slung over his right arm. The elegant Princess of Wales is depicted skating, with feathers in her hat, and wearing a fur-trimmed coat and muff as the wind catches her three-quarter length skirt. Each stamped Elkington & Co Founders and G 1870. English, dated 1870. Provenance: Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Count Gleichen. Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Count Gleichen, was the son of Prince Ernst of Hohenlohe-Langenburg and Princess Feodore of Leiningen, half-sister to Queen Victoria. He ran away from school to England in 1848 and was sponsored to enter the Royal Navy by Queen Victoria. In 1854 he attained the rank of Lieutenant after serving as mate on the flagship Cumberland, where his future brother-in-law was captain and his future father-in-law was admiral. In 1866 he retired from the navy and trained with the British sculptor William Theed. As a sculptor, he carried out several portrait commissions for Queen Victoria including a statuette of Prince Alfred, her second son, and another of Prince Albert Victor...

Made in two parts with a broad thick brim. Several marks including W. Plant & Son, Rochdale Road (location of plant from 1850 to 1947) Manchester, 6 Happ St. and numbers 27 and 25 (p...

A George III gallery magnifying glass, the circular glass within a mahogany frame, the baluster handle screwing into a brass bracket in the rim, the handle with a brass collar. Engli...

Extremely stylish and totally original are these matching pair of English 1930s Art Deco modernist enamel gents cufflinks. Fabulous geometric patterning and color, with a slight mode...