Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 11010 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 25

An Extremely Rare ´Collar of Ss´ Attributed to Captain Sir William Goldsmith, Royal Navy, Who Served Aboard the Amethyst During Her Remarkable World Voyage 1856-60, Commanded H.M. Yachts Elfin and Alberta 1878-97, and Acted as Sergeant at Arms to Queen Victoria, Edward VII, and George V, 1895-1912 Collar Chain of Ss, comprising 68 silver ´S´ links, each marked by the maker, ´J.S.´, and two equidistant silver-gilt devices at base, with crowned Rose, Thistle, and Shamrock, nearly extremely fine, in original Garrard, London, fitted case, this slightly damaged, with the following related documentation &c.: - Letter to the recipient from the Queen´s Secretary confirming the recipient´s appointment to Sergeant at Arms, dated Osborne, 24.8.1895 - Warrant appointing Captain Sir William Goldsmith, R.N., as Sergeant at Arms to King George V, dated 7.5.1910 - Portrait photograph of the recipient Estimate £ 2,500-3,000 Captain Sir William Burgess Goldsmith, was born in September 1837 and entered the Royal Navy in July 1852, quickly seeing active service in the Brig Philomel off the West Coast of Africa between 1853-56, in operations to suppress the slave trade. Transferring to the Amethyst in 1856, he was present at a number of actions in the Second China War, including the destruction of the Fatshan Flotilla of War Junks, 1.7.1857, and at the blockading of the Canton River and Macao Passage Reach. Advanced Navigating Sub Lieutenant, July 1858, he participated in the Amethyst´s remarkable world voyage, returning home in 1860. Promoted Navigating Lieutenant in October 1862, and Staff Commander in July 1874, he was subsequently employed aboard the Seraphis during H.R.H. The Prince of Wales´ visit to India between 1875-76. He went on to enjoy many years in Royal Yachts, commencing with his appointment to the command of H.M.Y. Elfin in 1878, and ending with 14 years as Captain of H.M.Y. Alberta between 1883-97, in which latter year he was knighted on the Quarter-Deck by Queen Victoria. In 1895 he was appointed Sergeant-at-Arms to the Queen, and retained this appointment until his death in December 1912. Provenance: Spink, July 2000.

Sold for
£3,800