Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Campaign Cutlery Set to James Thomas Brudenell, 7th And Last Earl Of Cardigan 1797-1868, an extremely fine cased set in silver plate and ivory by Joseph Mappin & Brothers, comprising a fork, knife and spoon, the latter includes a corkscrew, all three utensils bear an earl’s coronet and monogram initials JB on the hafts, the spoon and fork are impressed with Mappin’s initials and the journeyman’s mark of a seven pointed star, the knife is stamped on the blade “Joseph Mappin & Brothers” and additionally on the forte “Queen’s Cutlery Works Sheffield”, contained in the original velvet lined leather covered travelling case, near mint state (3) £1500-2000

James Brudenell, Earl of Cardigan held successive commissions in the 8th, 15th and 11th Hussars. Despite various career set-backs he nevertheless commanded the Light Brigade of Cavalry in the Crimean War and led it in the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade in November 1854. He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant General and was a General Officer of Hussars. He famously “went to war” in his private yacht and this campaign set could well have been used during this period.