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Auction: 19025 - Ancient, Indian and Islamic, British and Foreign Coins and Commemorative Medals
Lot: 1238

Horticultural Society of London, Foundation Prize Medal, 1826, in silver, by G F Pidgeon, 131.43g, 70mm. (BHM -; Eimer 955), a few surface marks, otherwise toned, good very fine, rare, and of historical and horticultural interest

Captain Robert Welbank (1778-1857) of St Botolph's, London was to become a respected horticulturalist and fellow of the Horticultural Society of London responsible for transporting the first recorded specimen of a Chinese wisteria {wisteria sinensis} to the British Isles in May 1816. The specimen transferred to the care of renowned gardener Charles Hampden Turner from whom John Sims was able to illustrate the specimen in the Botanical Magazine (1819, 2083). In May 1826, the Society recognised his contribution to then fledgling botanical studies, commenting that the Chinese plant "had proved hardy and highly ornamental", and as such merited this award. Welbank was also subsequently responsible for the introduction of several varieties of Japanese camellias in the West, the 'Double-White' being christened camellia japonica welbankii by the Society in his honour.

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Sold for
£220