Ancient, British and World Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals

London, an openwork silver badge in the shape of a buckle, horseman left shielding himself from a kneeling figure, ST MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS TOWN HALL, reverse OPENED BY HON. A.J. BALFOUR M.P. 16TH JULY 1891, 51 x 41mm. Very fine and scarce, an unusual association piece; with clip and ring for suspension (£30-40)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Cresswell-Corfield Collection of Medals and Badges.

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Arthur James, 1st Earl of Balfour (1848-1930); entered Parliament as Conservative and Unionist MP for Hertford, 1874-85; MP for Manchester, 1886-1905; Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1887-91; First Lord of the Treasury, 1891; Leader of the House of Commons, 1891-2 and 1895-1902; succeeded his uncle, the 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, as Prime Minister, July 1902; resigned December 1905; MP for the City of London and led the Conservative party in Opposition, 1906-11; First Lord of the Admiralty, 1915-16; Foreign Secretary, 1916-19.

Balfour enjoyed a long Parliamentary career and at the same time enjoyed great social prestige