Auction Catalogue

14 April 1999

Starting at 1:00 PM

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Ancient, British and World Coins, Tokens, and Historical Medals

The Arts Club  40 Dover St  London  W1S 4NP

Lot

№ 713

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14 April 1999

Hammer Price:
£110

Medals Related to Aviation, France, Homage to alberto santos-dumont, 1930, a bronze plaque by R. Lamourdedieu, bust left with implements of mechanical flight, reverse dirigible and early biplane in flight, 71 x 55mm (cf. Baudey/Bricher 1992, 160; cf. DNW 30, 784). Extremely fine and nicely patinated, a most attractive example, rare; in green fitted case of issue (£100-120)

Alberto Santos-Dumont (1873-1932), pioneer aviator. The aircraft on the reverse are believed to represent Santos-Dumont’s most famous machines – his No.6 dirigible of 1901, and his no.14bis aeroplane of 1906, which carried out the first sustained flight by a heavier than air craft in Europe. In later life, Santos-Dumont became an increasingly depressed individual, who committed suicide in his native Brazil in 1932