Wednesday 03 December 2025
14:00
Venue:
Online only timed auction
The second instalment of this important single-owner collection continues a sweeping journey through European and world history, with a particular focus on Napoleonic, 20th century and Cold War material, alongside carefully assembled natural history and objects of curiosity. Early highlights include a Napoleonic Belgian cuirassier breast and back plate, circa 1814, a finely carved Egypt campaign “bugbear” coconut flask depicting Napoleon, a signed certificate of Charles Ferdinand, Duc de Berry and a scarce 19th century plaster death mask of Napoleon by Gebrüder Michell, Berlin.
Later conflicts and political movements are strongly represented by exceptional groupings, notably the dramatic silk Croix de Feu Paris banner with skull-and-crossed-swords device, a comprehensive French Resistance service and awards group to Roger Gérard, including Legion d’Honneur with diamonds, an Italian RSI/Decima Flottiglia MAS M33 camouflage helmet, a Fascist presentation brooch set with emeralds, rubies and diamonds, and a rare SMERSH identification booklet for a Soviet operative.
The natural history section is led by two British Natural History Museum wartime entomology cabinets used to safeguard insect collections during the Blitz, together with a fine display of Birdwing butterflies, Victorian taxidermy and documented entomological drawers. Completing the sale is a large and characterful selection of toy soldiers, boxed 1950s Western toys, tribal weaponry, crime and execution ephemera and historic newspapers, all reflecting the breadth and depth of this remarkable collector’s legacy.
Bidding is exclusively online, with the auction closing on Wednesday 3 December from 2pm. Browse the catalogue and place your bids now to avoid disappointment.
This is an online-only auction – a simple and flexible way to bid directly through our website, without an auctioneer or final live broadcast. Lots close in order with individual countdown timers. Find out more in our article.
Introducing: Our New Online-Only Auctions
Viewings
Monday 1st December 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 2nd December 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 3rd December 9am - 2pm
Buyer's premium
25.00% plus VAT.
In-house post & packing available - see individual lots for prices.
Items to be paid for
Wednesday, 10 December
and collected by
Wednesday, 10 December