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Auction: 21002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 72

(x) The unique and exceptional group of four awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Sir R. R. Holmes, K.C.V.O., V.D., 1st Volunteer Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, who was ‘Archeologist to the Force’ in the Abyssinian Expedition 1867-68, following the Storming of Magdala, he negotiated the acquisition of a plethora of items now on display in the British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum; he also had the task of sketching the portrait of Emperor Theodore immediately after his death

Returned home - apparently with the Kwer’ata Re’esu icon for his own collection - Holmes was appointed by Queen Victoria as Royal Librarian at Windsor Castle in 1870, being re-appointed by King Edward VII and holding the office until 1905

Jubliee 1887, clasp, 1897, silver, unnamed; Coronation 1902, silver, unnamed; Abyssinia 1867 (Richard R. Holmes Esqre. Archeologist to the Force); Volunteer Officers’ Decoration, V.R., unnamed, hallmarks for London 1892, complete with top bar, mounted court-style for wear, first and third with contact marks, very fine (4)

[M.V.O. 4th Class] London Gazette 9 July 1897.

[C.V.O.] London Gazette 2 February 1901.

[K.C.V.O.] London Gazette 28 January 1905.

Richard Rivington Holmes was born in London on 16 November 1835, the son of John Holmes (1800-54) of the British Museum. Holmes was educated at Highgate School, 1843-53, where he obtained a foundation scholarship. After spending a short time in a merchant’s office, he then assisted his father unofficially at the British Museum until the latter’s death in 1854. He was then appointed Assistant in the Manuscript Department where he rapidly acquired a fair knowledge of palaeography. It was thanks to this attainment and his skill as a draughtsman, that he was selected for the post of Archaeologist to the Abyssinian Expedition of 1867-68.

He took part in the operations - the march to and capture of Magdala. In Abyssinia, Holmes purchased about 400 manuscripts for the British Museum, these having been previously taken by King Theodore from Christian churches. The British Museum also list (and illustrate) some 62 items related to him, including amulets, a number of communion cups and a pair of slippers. A number of his watercolours and drawings, done on the campaign, besides the aforementioned portrait of Emperor Theodore, are also held in the collection (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG31917). Also acquired was the gold crown of the sovereigns of Abyssinia and a 16th Century chalice, now residing in the Victoria and Albert Museum. In October 1869 he was appointed by Queen Victoria to be Librarian in Ordinary, and in February 1870 he became Keeper of the Prints and Drawings. This posting saw Holmes become the third Royal Librarian, after the official creation of the role in 1837. Just ten individuals to date have held the office.

A zealous Volunteer, he was appointed a Lieutenant in the 2nd Corps, Berkshire Rifle Volunteers, on 8 June 1871. The Corps became part of the 1st Administrative Battalion, and he was based at Windsor. On 15 March 1873 he was promoted to Captain in the 2nd Berkshire Rifle Volunteer Corps. He was granted the honorary rank of Major in the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment) on 10 April 1886. Promoted to Major on 11 October 1890, he was granted the honorary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on 22 November 1890. Holmes resigned his commission, being permitted to retain his rank and wear his uniform, on 28 May 1892. Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Holmes was subsequently awarded the V.D. (London Gazette 6 December 1892). In addition to his British honours, Holmes was a Commander 2nd Class of the Wurttemburg Order of Friedrich.

He remained as Librarian at Windsor Castle until his retirement in 1906. He had been elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in March 1860 and became their Vice-President in 1907. He was Sergeant-at-Arms to Queen Victoria, 1898-1901, and to King Edward VII, 1901 until the king’s death. Holmes was a prolific writer and published Queen Victoria (1897), Edward VII: His Life and Times (1910), Specimens of Bookbinding in the Royal Library, Windsor Castle (1893), Naval and Military Trophies (1896-7), The Queen's Pictures (1897) and Windsor (1908). His contribution to art should also not be overlooked, with Holmes regularly exhibiting at the Royal Academy, Grosvenor Gallery and New Gallery. He acquired a collection of Whistler drawings in the Royal Collection, solely as a result of their friendship.

He married on 27 October 1880 Evelyn, the eldest daughter of Rev. Richard Gee, Canon of Windsor, by whom he had 2 daughters. He died on 22 March 1911, whilst residing at 16 St. Thomas’s Mansions, Westminster Bridge.

Sold together with a quantity of copied research, including: gazette and newspaper extracts, biographical details and copied photographs. Amongst the paperwork is a newspaper cutting reporting on the location of a ‘lost’ picture of Christ, the 16th Century Kwer’ata Re’esu (The Striking of the Head) which was purportedly taken by Holmes and retained by him.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£4,500

Starting price
£1200