General Gordon’s Star for the Siege of Khartoum 1884, pewter, very fine £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late David Dixon.

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Ex D.N.W. 25 February 1999, lot 82.

Sold with two contemporary letters of provenance:

‘Siege of Khartoum - 1301. A Star struck by General Gordon to commemorate the Siege of Khartoum - Twelve were struck in gold - a few in silver for the officers and some in lead for the soldiers - This one is a lead Star & was purchased from one of Gordon’s Soldiers who came from Khartoum in his Steamers’. Signed ‘C.L.S.’ and dated ‘Korti 22.2.85’.

‘Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, 16th Febry. 1897. I hereby certify that the Gordon Star sold by me to Messrs. Spink & Son, was purchased by me from one of Gordons black soldiers at Korti, in February 1885’. signed ‘Charles Sheppard, Capt., Naval Ordnance Dept, Late Ordnance Store Dept.’

Captain Charles Lee Sheppard served in the Egyptian War of 1882 (Medal and Khedive’s Star) and with the Nile Expedition of 1884-85 (Mentioned in despatches, granted honorary rank of Captain, Clasp)