We Are Thrilled To Congratulate Our Dear Friend Steve Ellis’ Release of His 10 CD Career Defining Boxed Set

After a friendship going back 30 years we heartily congratulate the iconic music legend, Steve Ellis, for his career spanning 6 decades, and launch of his 10 CD boxed set, and further thrilled to know his world classic single, Everlasting Love, by his group Love Affair, featured as the musical centrepiece of the incredible Academy Award winning film Belfast by Sir Kenneth Branagh. His forthcoming 10 CD boxed set will be the culmination of the career of one of England’s most iconic soul singers and a music legend.  read more

Code: 24215

A King George IVth Police Tipstaff

With areas of painted finish lacking. Traditional of uppermost cylindrical form with a turned grip. The 18th century had been a rough and disorderly age, with mob violence, violent crimes, highwaymen, smugglers and the new temptations to disorder brought about by the Industrial Revolution. Clearly something had to be done. In 1829 the Metropolitan Police Force, organised by Sir Robert Peel, was established to keep the order in London. The force, under a Commissioner of the Police with headquarters at Scotland Yard, was essentially a civilian one: its members were armed only with wooden truncheons and at first wore top-hats and blue frock-coats. The "Peelers" or "Bobbies" were greeted largely with derision by Londoners, but they did become accepted fairly quickly. Thier primary purpose was to prevent crime, and some London criminals left their haunting grounds of London for the larger provincial towns, which in turn established their own forces on the Metropolitan model. The pattern followed through to the small villages and countryside. To secure co-operation between the spreading network and establish further forces, Parliament passed an act in 1856 to co-ordinate the work of the various forces and gave the Home Secretary the power to inspect them. In the counties, under the Police Act of 1890, the police became the combined responsibility of the local authorities - the County Councils - and the Justice of the Peace, while in London, the Metropolitan Police at Scotland Yard remained under the Commissioner appointed by the Home Office. At the turn of the century, the British police force established a reputation for humane and kindly efficiency. Their mere existence undoubtedly did a lot to prevent crime, and they built up what was on the whole a highly effective system of investigation and arrest.  read more

Code: 16913

Many Wonderous Pieces Added Every Day. There is Probably Nowhere Else In The World You Can View Such Fabulous & Historical Wonders,.. & Where Everything Is For Sale

All under one roof, intriguing and collectable artefacts, and specialist 1st edition rare books, plus militaria such as, an original, huge, and very rare 88mm WW2 Shell from a German 'King Tiger' tank, ranging to an original Imperial Roman Legionary’s gladius sword, a museum quality samurai sword by one of the great sword makers of early 14th century Japan. Or, a most rare, and absolutely stunning museum grade Christian samurai’s sword from circa 1630.
These past few weeks we have added, and are still adding, original, ancient artefacts, from Rome, France, Carthage, Persia, Greece, and Britain, many from fine English collections, originally acquired in the early 19th century, and then re-acquired from the descendants of those original collectors, in the 1990’s or even before by other collectors who subsequently sold them to us.
We have thousands of pieces, that you can can view [and buy] from our website. View and buy such treasures as a 2000 year old roman soldier's gladius sword, from the time of Julius Caesar, Augustus and Nero. A museum grade 1000+ year old sword of a Viking chieftain, king or earl [in Viking times called a jarl] that is inlaid with traces of knotwork silver inlay. A bronze and iron Archemeanid sword from the time of the Greco-Persian wars of Xerxes the Great against the Spartans at Thermopylae, or a Circa 2,500 Scythian infantry warrior’s bronze helmet. Plus, Imperial Roman 1st and 2nd century rings, the type such as worn by a Roman freed gladiator, or, the owner of slave gladiators, the Imperial Pretorian Guard, legionary officer's or nobles, often with the traditional symbols and figures, from the time of the Emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero. A superb 3rd to 4th century BC Falcata sword similar to the Greek Kopis, the sword used by Hannibal’s army in the 2nd Punic War and his invasion of Rome across the Alps, and a 3rd Century Imperial Roman Sword, from the time of Emperor Constantine and the Battle of Cibalae. Plus a remarkable 900 to 1066 period Original Viking- Norman Iron Four Plate Helmet, as seen depicted in the world famous so-called Bayeux Tapestry, plus, early and rare books, such as, an original very early printing of a 5th century Roman treatise on Roman warfare, and an 18th Century biography on 18th century Warfare, or a very rare 15th century incunabula by Bartolomeus Platina personally commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV.

Plus, as usual, many, many thousands of pieces of historical interest, from one of the oldest and still thriving [if not the oldest surviving] traditional, purveyors of original ancient, antique and vintage historical militaria, companies in Europe, family based through generations in the city of Brighton, and for over 100 combined years located in the Brighton Lanes.

Our family partners Mark and David have dedicated between them, a combined 90 plus years together, serving the world's collectors. Some are the simplest of collectors, some with most eclectic tastes, covering all fields of interest spanning millennia, others, highly specific, if not profound. Very recently we found for a specialist book collector a most rare ‘Subscriber’s Edition’ 1926 Seven Pillars of Wisdom, by T.E. Lawrence, a book that the collector had been searching for for 20 years, and we had joined in that search for him around 10 years ago. He had seen two volumes of that edition around 10 years ago, but discounted both of them, as not quite the perfect volume he was looking for. The dedication of a collector who could spend 20 years to find a single book, that specifically suited his needs, is simply remarkable, although strangely, not that unusual in our line of country. Despite the fact that the book we found for him was approaching six figures, he actually had spent over twice that sum during his 20 year worldwide search to find just the perfect one he was looking for. When asked by us which specific book he was seeking of that printing, he replied that he didn’t actually want or need a perfect condition example at all, just the one that was perfect for him “ I am not entirely sure which one I seek, but I’ll know it when I hold it”

The best part of our field is that, in the most part, of all of what we regularly offer can be remarkably affordable compared to almost every other form of fine and rare collectable. For example, the best available fine art paintings etc. can run into millions, even hundreds of millions of pounds, the finest pieces of furniture can run into hundreds of thousands or even millions, the best silver, coins or stamps can also be worth millions, and even 20th century motor cars can reach tens of millions of pounds. So although some of our pieces might appear expensive, by comparison to almost every other field in the world of collecting, they can be amazingly affordable to all and every rank of collector.

We suppose that is our raison d’etre, every year we buy many thousands of pieces, and pass them on to similarly thousands of collectors, from postmen to presidents, from Chelsea pensioners to field marshals, from law clerks to Lord Chancellors. I [Mark] remember one such interesting and jolly conversation, I and my wife Judith had over lunch, with the soon to become Lord Chancellor Quentin Hogg, in Jermyn St., during our London honeymoon in 1978. Judith had, on occasion before our marriage, worked with Sir Michael Havers, [Quentin’s successor as Lord Chancellor in 1987] so they had mutual acquaintance. The general chit chat got around to the efficacy of hanging, the effectiveness of the hangman’s knot, against the much earlier system of the executioner’s axe that was only afforded only to those of high status!. Quentin remarked at the conclusion [tongue in cheek] “ I have a little list of likely candidates, just in case it is re-introduced”

By way of coincidence, a few years later we sold a 16th century executioner’s axe to a ‘Beefeater’ Yeoman Warder of the Tower of London, Geoffrey Abbot, near identical to one that executed Lady Jane Grey, who was proclaimed Queen of England in 1553, reigned for just 9 days and subsequently executed within the grounds of the Tower, aged just 16 or 17, and our former axe appears amongst other places, illustrated in his books on the execution at Tower of London. He was even consulted some years later for the execution of Saddam Hussein.

Many of our collectors have become lifelong and dear friends, with conversations on every subject imaginable, covering every conceivable avenue of interest, and it has been a privilege to know every single one, friendships valued beyond pearls.  read more

Code: 23775

A Beautiful Early Sikh Khanda Hilt Firangi Sword 17th to 18th Century

Long double fuller straight firangi blade, single knuckle bow and double plate guard. overall in nice condition for age. Early swords appear in the archaeological record of ritual copper swords in Fatehgarh Northern India and Kallur in Southern India. Although the Puranas and Vedas give an even older date to the sacrificial knife. Straight swords, (as well as other swords curved both inward and outward), have been used in Indian history since the Iron Age Mahajanapadas (roughly 600 to 300 BC), being mentioned in the Sanskrit epics, and used in soldiers in armies such as those of the Mauryan Empire. Several sculptures from the Gupta era (AD 280-550) portray soldiers holding khanda-like broadswords. These are again flared out at the tip. They continued to be used in art such as Chola-era murtis.

There is host of paintings depicting the khanda being worn by Rajput kings throughout the medieval era. It was used usually by foot-soldiers and by nobles who were unhorsed in battle. The Rajput warrior clans venerated the khanda as a weapon of great prestige.


Goddess Durga wielding khanda sword, 7th century.
According to some, the design was improved by the Great Rajput Emperor Prithviraj Chauhan. He added a back spine on the blade to add more strength. He also made the blade wider and flatter, making it a formidable cutting weapon. It also gave a good advantage to infantry over light cavalry enemy armies.

Rajput warriors in battle wielded the khanda with both hands and swung it over their head when surrounded and outnumbered by the enemy. It was in this manner that they traditionally committed an honourable last stand rather than be captured. Even today they venerate the khanda on the occasion of Dasara.

Maharana Pratap is known to have wielded a khanda. The son in law of Miyan Tansen, Naubat Khan also wielded khanda and the family was known as Khandara Beenkar. Wazir Khan Khandara was a famous beenkar of 19th century.

Many Sikh warriors of the Akali-Nihang order are known to have wielded khandas. For instance, Baba Deep Singh is famous for wielding a khanda in his final battle before reaching his death, which is still preserved at Akaal Takhat Sahib. Akali Phula Singh is also known to have wielded a khanda, and this practise was popular among officers and leaders in the Sikh Khalsa Army as well as by Sikh sardars of the Misls and of the Sikh Empire. The Sikh martial art, Gatka also uses khandas.

Hari Singh Nalwa was the commander-in-chief of the Sikh Empire (Sarkar Khalsa) under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Times of London wrote an article in 1881 where they not only noted his battlefield prowess but also his success as an administrator and foresight. The article went onto state that "had he had the money and resources of available to European states, it would have been entirely possible that he could have reached the border of Europe."

Despite reaching lofty heights, Hari Singh Nalwa had humble beginnings. Born in 1791 as Hari Singh Uppal, the youngster, like so many others on this list, lost his father at an early age. In 1804 his mother sent him to the court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to resolve a property dispute. While there Hari Singh explained that his father and grandfather had both fought under Ranjit Singh's Sukerchak Misl for both his father Maha Singh and his grandfather Charat Singh. The Maharaja decided the arbitration in Hari Singh's favour and impressed by his skill as a musketeer gave him a job as a personal attendant. Hari Singh's climb to fame began later that year during a hunt where his party was attacked by a tiger. In one of the most famous stories in Sikh history, Hari Singh killed the tiger by ripping it apart using his hands, this earned him the nickname Baagh Maar, or Tiger Killer. As his reputation grew from the story, he was commissioned as a Sardar and given 800 horses and footmen under his command.

Hari Singh led his first independant contingent into battle in 1807 at Kasur under the leadership of the Maharaja, Jodh Singh Ramgharia and Akali Phula Singh Nihang. Hari Singh's performance was rewarded by a jagir (land based revenue) and his fame continued to grow. A year later Hari Singh led his first command of an army at the Battle of Sialkot where the 17 year old defeated Jiwan Singh.

The young Hari Singh fought numerous battles over the coming years in Attock, Kashmir and Mahmudkot. During the Battle of Multan in 1818, Hari Singh Nalwa led a division of Sikhs against Muzzaffar Khan. The Muslim ruler put up one of the strongest fights the Sikhs had encountered and although instrumental in the victory, Hari Singh Nalwa was badly burnt from a firepot thrown from the fort, putting him out of action for a number of months. However, he was fully recovered by 1819 to lead the reaguard of the Sikh conquest of Kashmir. The victory ended 5 centuries of Muslim rule and the cities of Lahore and Amritsar were lit up in celebration for three nights.

The conquest of Kashmir ushered in a decade of rapid Sikh conquest, and Hari Singh Nalwa was involved in or led most of the major battles. The 1827 Battle of Saidu was one of the most comprehensive. Sayed Bareli had proclaimed himelf to be a messenger of the Prophet Muhammed tellling all his tribesmen that he would deliver the Muslims from Sikh rule As local Muslim rulers began to heed his call, he eventually managed to command an army of over 15,000 Muslims, ready to raise Jihad against the Sikhs. On 23 February, the Sikhs under Hari Singh and Budh Singh Sandhanwalia met the self proclaimed messenger in battle and routed his army. They then pursued the enemy for 6 miles, plundering and pillaging as they went. By 1834 the Sikhs occupied Peshawar. At this point Hari Singh's reputation had become so widespread that Afghan women used to scare their children to sleep by mentioning that if they stayed awake "Hari Singh and his Sikhs would get them".

31.5 inch blade  read more

Code: 24207

A ‘Royal Collection’ Victorian, Italian Morion Helmet, Probably From Milan, Circa 1544

This is likely a unique copy made in the 19th century directly from a fabulous helmet in the Royal Collection, in the Round Tower at Windsor Castle, and believed to be from the personal collection of King George IIIrd. Naturally as the original would never become available this is a unique opportunity to own a simulacrum from Her Majesty’s armoury. This stunning helmet was made in the 19th century using the incredibly advanced copper electrotype system with fully faithful and exact detail from the royal helmet. A system so exact in its ability to recreate an identical version of the original, it was considered by some to be a magical marvel. It has a slightly misshapen damage at the comb. The plume holder etched with a religious scene (possibly the Trinity) and the inscription LAVDAMVS TE (We praise Thee) . In the Round Tower at Windsor Castle in 1904. The collection of George III included ‘A Helmet English, Very Ancient Made of Iron – Embossed with Scrolls – Stars and Leaves had formerly been Gilt’, which was sent to the armoury from Buckingham House on 20 September 1821.

Item no. 2048 in the North Corridor Inventory, which records the arrangement of the Collection at Windsor Castle. We believe it was most likely made by instruction from the curators of the Royal Collection, that commissioned a identical copy made, possibly for the national museum collection, such as the amazing plaster copies of unique worldwide masterpieces in the V&A. Opened in 1873, the Cast Courts display copies of some of the world's most significant works of art reproduced in plaster, electrotype, photography, and digital media. The cast collection is famous for including reproductions of Michelangelo's David, Trajan's Column, and Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise, amongst many others. Electrotyping was an incredible chemical method for forming metal parts that exactly reproduce a model. The method was invented by Moritz von Jacobi in Russia in 1838, and was immediately adopted for applications in printing and several other fields. As described in a treatise, electrotyping produces "an exact facsimile of any object having an irregular surface, whether it be an engraved steel- or copper-plate, a wood-cut, or a form of set-up type, to be used for printing; or a medal, medallion, statue, bust, or even a natural object, for art purposes." In art, several important "bronze" sculptures created in the 19th century are actually electrotyped copper, and not bronze at all One of the earliest documented large-scale (1.67 metres (5.5 ft)) electrotype sculptures was John Evan Thomas's Death of Tewdric Mawr, King of Gwent (1849). The electrotype was done by Elkington, Mason, & Co. for the Great Exhibition of 1851. Link to see the original example http://www.royalcollection.org.uk. The gallery shows a photo of the original Italian morion still in the Royal Collection, but made in iron, however, it was originally fully gilded, [which this copy still appears to be, likely in order to show how it once looked when it was originally made in around 1544 in Italy]. It is not often any collector has the opportunity to purchase an absolute identical version of a piece of armour in the Royal Collection that was actually made from the Royal original. If the original were to ever come on the open market [which it never will of course] it would likely be worth six figures or even seven figures [1 million pounds plus] due to its Royal connection.

Probably the most famous electrotype simulacrum seen today is the Wimbledon Women’s final trophy. See photo 8 in our gallery.

Tennis fame

The version held aloft as the Wimbledon Ladies Singles Championship trophy was made in silver by the firm of Elkington and Company of Birmingham in 1864. This version is known as the Venus Rosewater Basin, and was first presented at Wimbledon in 1886. Every champion since has had her name engraved on it. The reproduction of the basin was made by the electrical deposition of silver into a mould, and used the plaster cast of an Enderlein basin in the Louvre as a model. When it was first created, the Wimbledon reproduction represented the height of 19th century modernity and was at the forefront of technological innovation. The V&A has an electrotype version which was also made by Elkington, and was moulded from the same plaster cast, 12 years before the creation of the Wimbledon trophy.  read more

Code: 23222

A Fine & Original Chapka Plate for the 9th Royal Lancers WW1 Issue

With all battle honours up to the Boer War. The last Lancer regiment to engage in Lance on Lance combat in WW1. The chapka was a type of helmet worn by 19th century Polish light cavalry and later adopted by another nations, including Britain.
During the Second Boer War, 1899-1902, the Lancers took part in the following actions: Belmont, Battle of Modder River, Magerfonstien, Relief of Kimberley, and the following Battle of Paardeberg which resulted in Cronje?s surrender. They provided Lord Roberts? escort for his state entry into Bloemfontein. After the war, the 9th returned to Sialkot in the Punjab Although engaged in combat for the whole of the war the Lancers only operated as a cavalry unit during 1914. This was due to the widespread use of machine guns and shelling and also the advent of the tank. For the remainder of the war they operated as infantry in the trenches.

Notable events included a Victoria Cross for Captain Francis Octavius Grenfell for his actions in saving the guns of 119th Battery, Royal Field Artillery on 24 August 1914 (he was later killed in action on 24 May 1915, as was his twin brother, Riversdale, a yeomanry officer who attached to 9th Lancers), and the regiment's participation in the final "lance on lance" action of the First World War on 7 September 1914 at Moncel in which Lieutenant Colonel David Campbell led a charge of two troops of B Squadron and overthrew a squadron of the 1st Guard Dragoons. After Campbell left on promotion he was replaced as commanding officer by Desmond Beale-Browne.

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By the end of the war 274 Lancers had died.

In August 1914 Hume's regiment was in Belgium with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). On 24 August during the Battle of Mons, they charged a large body of German infantry who were advancing to encircle the 5th Division at Audregnies. This famous action saw Captain Francis Grenfell win the Victoria Cross. The 9th Queen's Royal Lancers, or the Delhi Spearmen, were a cavalry regiment of the British Army. They are best known for their roles in the Indian mutiny of 1857, the WW1 Charge at Mons, and for their part in the North African campaign of World War II including the retreat to and the battle of El Alamein in 1942.The 9th Queen's Royal Lancers were originally formed during the Jacobite Risings in 1715. They were formed by Major-General Owen Wynne and were the second cavalry regiment in the British Army. They were initially known as the "9th Dragoons" or "Wynne's Dragoons". In 1717, the regiment embarked for Ballinrobe, in Ireland, and was placed on the Irish establishment.

In 1783 they converted into Light Dragoons, becoming the 9th Light Dragoons, and served in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, Sir Samuel Auchmuty's expedition to the River Plate in 1803, the occupation of Montevideo and Wellington's Peninsula War between 1811 and 1813.

In 1816 they were constituted Lancers and in 1830 were given the distinguished title of "Queen's Royal", in honour of Queen Adelaide, consort of William IV, hence becoming the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers.
The Lancers were first posted to India during the Gwalior Campaign of 1843. They subsequently took part in the First Anglo-Sikh War of 1845-46 and the Second Anglo-Sikh War of 1848-49 where they were often led by Sir Hope Grant and were the first recipients of the Bronze Star Medal.

During the Indian mutiny of 1857, the 9th Lancers earned the name the Delhi Spearmen, a name which is believed to have been given to them by the mutineers themselves. 9th Lancers was present in all three of the most notable events associated with the Indian mutiny, namely, the seizure of Delhi, the seizure of Lucknow and the relief of Lucknow. For their actions the Lancers were awarded twelve Victoria Crosses, more than any other cavalry regiment. They were described by an ally as:-


"The beau ideal of all that British Cavalry ought to be in Oriental countries".  read more

Code: 18936

A Good Victorian Fifth Royal Irish Lancers Tchapka Helmet Plate

In superb condition, fabulous bronze patina and two helmet screw posts.Queen Victoria's crown. The regiment was originally formed in 1689 as James Wynne's Regiment of Dragoons. They fought in the Battle of the Boyne and at the Battle of Aughrim under William of Orange. Renamed the Royal Dragoons of Ireland, they went on to serve with the Duke of Marlborough during the Spanish War of Succession and earned three battle honours there.In 1751, they were retitled 5th Regiment of Dragoons and in 1756 the 5th (or Royal Irish) Regiment of Dragoons. As such, they served in Ireland and were active during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. However, they were accused of treachery; their accusers claimed their ranks had been infiltrated by rebels. (According to Continental Magazine, April 1863, the unit refused to attack a group of rebels.) This accusation appears to have been false, but nevertheless they were disbanded at Chatham in 1799. The regiment was reformed in 1858, keeping its old number and title, but losing precedence, being ranked after the 17th Lancers. It was immediately converted into a lancer regiment and titled 5th (or Royal Irish) Regiment of Dragoons (Lancers). In 1861, it was renamed the 5th (or Royal Irish) Lancers and then the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers. The regiment served in India and a section served in Egypt in 1885, taking part in the battles at Suakin. It served with distinction in the Second Boer War from 1899 to 1902, gaining battle honours at Battle of Elandslaagte and The Defence of Ladysmith.

The regiment then returned to England where it stayed until the outbreak of World War I, when it became part of the British Expeditionary Force and saw action continually from 1914 to 1918 in some of the war's bloodiest battles. During the battle of Bourlon Wood George William Burdett Clare received the Victoria Cross posthumously. The 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers won a total of 20 battle honours during the Great War.

The 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers also has the grim honour of being the regiment of the last British soldier to die in the Great War. This was Private George Edwin Ellison from Leeds, who was killed by a sniper as the regiment advanced into Mons a short time before the armistice came into effect.

The regiment was renamed 5th Royal Irish Lancers and disbanded in 1921, but a squadron was reconstituted in 1922 and immediately amalgamated with the 16th The Queen's Lancers to become the 16th/5th Lancers The Royal Irish Lancers were in Mons at the time of retreat in 1914 but escaped and returned on Armistice Day. The last cavalry regiment out and the first back!. The memorial panel we show in the gallery records the return welcomed by the Maire and the Cur?. The scene is taken from a painting, ?5th Lancers, Re-entry into Mons?, last heard of in the private collection of a Belgian citizen. This in turn is almost a mirror image of a painting ?5th Lancers, Retreat from Mons? (whereabouts unknown). In the former, the troopers are heading in the opposite direction to the ?Retreat?, and a middle-aged priest and a pregnant woman watching the departure of the regiment among a worried-looking crowd of Belgian citizens have subtly changed: the priest is now white-haired and the mother holds up her four-year-old child, having lived through the occupation of the German forces in Mons for four years. The Great War 1914

The 5 Lancers, as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, were heavily involved and played a major role in the initial mobile actions fought by the BEF. They gained the distinction of being the last cavalry regiment to withdraw from Mons during the retreat; they also had the privilege to be the first British regiment to re-enter Mons after the pursuit in November 1918. Generally the First World War is described as a war of trench deadlock primarily fought by the infantry, gunners and engineers, this assessment is correct. It must however be remembered that cavalry regiments were expected to take their place in the line from time to time and did share the privations of trench warfare suffered by the infantry. On a number of occasions 5 L particularly distinguished themselves: in the defence of Guillemont Farm, June 1917, 3 MCs, and 4 MMs were won and during the defence of Bourlon Wood in 1918 Private George Clare won a posthumous VC. While the main focus of the First World War remained with the armies fighting on the western front it was by no means the only theatre of war. In 1918 Allenby, a 5th Lancer and later a Field Marshal, reorganised British forces in the Middle East pushing his lines forward into northern Palestine. Allenby's Army broke through at Megiddo resulting in the collapse of Turkish resistance. 8.25 inches x 5 inches approx.  read more

Code: 19688

An R.101 Airship Catastrophe Crash Memorial Service Card

On October 5, 1930, the British airship R.101 crashed on a hill in Beauvais, France. The impact was gentle and survivable but the ship was inflated with hydrogen, and the resulting fire incinerated 46 of the passengers and crew. Two additional crew members died of their injuries soon after. The ship had never been flown at full speed, or on all engines, or in bad weather. But on October 4, 1930, the ship was dispatched to fly on all engines into a known storm, at a time of year known for bad weather, despite the recommendation of airship officers and meteorology experts.

After struggling to maintain altitude over England and the Channel the ship crossed into France, where rain and wind damaged the unrepaired fabric at the nose of the ship and broke open gas bags in the bow, releasing the ship?s lifting gas. The overloaded and under-ballasted ship settled into a hillside in northern France and moments later the ship?s hydrogen erupted into flame. Calcium flares in the control car may have ignited, activated by exposure to water, but whatever the source of ignition, the fire destroyed the ship in minutes and killed most of those onboard, including Lord Thomson.  read more

Code: 20424

A Delightful Edo Period 1600 Japanese Noh Mask, Possibly Amazakuro Akujo

From the ancient Japanese tradition of mask drama that can trace its origins to the Bugaku Imperial Court dancing of the 9th century. Noh is the classical theatre of Japan which was codified in the 14th century under the father and son actors Kan'ami and Zeami under the patronage of the Shogun (supreme military leader) Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. The performances utilise masks and elaborate costume. This is a substantial though small size mask, robustly carved from a thick piece of hinoki, with the carving confidently executed. The original colour of the mask appears to be of a predominantly a pinkish skin colour over a very thin layer of gofun, with details of the lips painted in red. The whites of the deep-set eyes are with details. The high domed forehead and the raised eyebrows together with the delicately carved wrinkles add to the overall image of a benevolent deity. It is significant that the mask is called Omote, which means the front surface facing the audience. But there is a reverse side, too, called Ura, behind which the actor conceals himself. Unlike the smooth finished outer surface of a Noh mask, the Ura is a roughly finished indented shell with just two tiny holes, more rudimentary than what we might call eyes. By including himself in this primitive space, the Noh actor transforms himself into a person of another world and attempts to draw the audience after him, by radiating a sense of the existence and non existence of an inhabitant of that other world. This mask is of symbolic size, not a wearing type. The Ayakashi mask expresses god or ghost possessed of mysterious powers. It is also used for a vindictive warrior. Okina (Old man masks) This type of mask originated from sarugaku, the predecessor of noh, in the latter part of the Heian period. This is the oldest type of noh mask. 6 inches x 4.25 inches.  read more

Code: 20901

A Most Fabulous, Intricately Carved Keris Dagger With Watered Steel Blade

A stunning looking piece and a most impressively mounted example with delightful pamor blade. Pamor is the pattern of white lines appearing on the blade. Kris blades are forged by a technique known as pattern welding, one in which layers of different metals are pounded and fused together while red hot, folded or twisted, adding more different metals, pounded more and folded more until the desired number of layers are obtained. The rough blade is then shaped, filed and sometimes polished smooth before finally acid etched to bring out the contrasting colours of the low and high carbon metals. The traditional Indonesian weapon allegedly endowed with religious and mystical powers. With probably a traditional Meteorite laminated iron blade with hammered nickel for the contrasting pattern. Very small area of wood snake body lacking under the hilt. The blades could often be older that the mountings, as they were frequently remounted in the blades working life, just as this one has late mountings  read more

Code: 23766