Dear All,
I have today received the Bonhams Auction catalogue for Medals, Banknotes and
Coins, and below is an item that might interest someone? The Auction is on
Tuesday the 15th of April 2003. If someone is interested in this very rare
item, please email Mr Andrew Litherland (Hd. of Dept. and Specialist), at
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Lot 64
ALBERT MEDAL,
bronze medal for gallantry in saving life on land, engraved on reverse.
Presented in the name of Her Majesty to Samuel Spruce, Mining Engineer, for
endeavouring to save life at the Baddesley Colliery, May 1882. In original
red leather case. Very Fine. £1500 - £2000.
The lot comes with a privately printed booklet covering the Fire and
Explosion at the Baddesley Colliery in May 1882. Extract to Mr Spruce as
follows: Mr Samuel Spruce, Mining Engineer, Tamworth, on hearing of the fire
at the Baddesley Colliery, and that nine miners were entombed, hastened to
the spot, in the hope that his long and varied experience might be of
service. On arriving at the pit top he found that an explosion had occurred,
that many explorers had been burned, and that Mr Dugdale, with others were
still in the mine. After receiving an account of the accident from Mr
Smallman, he immediately volunteered to go down, and with Mr Stokes organised
and assisted in the first party which entered the pit after the explosion,
and proceeded along that perilous route already described until Mr Dugdale
was found and rescued. Having no personal acquaintance with the workings of
the colliery, being far advanced in life, and knowing so well the imminent
danger incurred by anyone entering the mine, he displayed an act of
conspicuous bravery, which Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen has recognised
by conferring upon him the decoration of "The Albert Medal of the Second
Class".
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