23d Group of Seven [7] AE and AR Medals and Coins.

View of multiple couples dancing the ballroom, with ornate barrel-vaulted ceiling, palms in niche's along each wall at ground and first floor level, and orchestra playing from gallery in background above curtained doorway; scroll engraved PRESENTED BY THE PROPRIETORS To General Horne June 23rd 1896 in three lines below, all within dot-and-cable border / Group of ladies and gentlemen within entrance lobby, dominated by pair of columns with Corinthian capitals in foreground and ornate curtained doorway supported by Caryatids and surmounted by lyre and palms in background, flanked by staircases with further palms on stands at foot and chandeliers hanging above; HOLBORN above, RESTAURANT ESTD 1874 in two lines below, all within annulet-and-wreath border. Eimer 1640; BHM 2990; Taylor 207a. 222gr, 69mm, 12h.

Very Fine. Edge chipped.

Acquired from a UK auction house. From the private collection of a Devon, UK, lady.

Established in 1874, the Holborn Restaurant, billed as adding a "spice of poetry to the dull prose of every day life," was located near the corner of Little Queen Street and, rather appropriately, Holborn. During the late 1890s, medals such as the present example were engraved and presented to various patrons for their business. Of note, the British Chess Federation was founded there in 1904 and, in 1908 during the London Olympic games, numerous banquets were held for the participating athletes. In 1955, the entire group of buildings was demolished.

Comprising: mixed rulers and issues. 59.97gr total, 15-43mm.



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s.

NAPOLEON EMPEREUR, laureate and cuirassed bust to right / Blank; on ticket: Andrieu Bertrant fecit. 48.21gr, 67mm.

Extremely Fine.

Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.