Ancient, British and World Coins, Medallions and Books

A Medal awarded to the designer of Tower Bridge, London

International Exhibition of all Fine Arts Industries and Inventions, 1874, a bronze award medal by G.T. Morgan, bust of Prince Albert left, rev. façade of buildings, named (Horace Jones, V.P.R.I.B.A, for Services), 52mm (BHM 2992; E 1633; Taylor 180b). Mint state, a rare medal by association; in maroon case of issue by George Morgan, 144 Finboro Road, London £100-200

Sir Horace Jones (1819-87), born in Bucklersbury, London, the son of a lawyer, was articled to John Wallen, architect and surveyor, in 1838. He travelled to Italy and Greece in 1841-2, studying ancient architecture, and on his return established his own architectural practice at Furnival’s Inn, Holborn, in 1843. Over the next two decades he was responsible for many significant buildings, including the British & Irish Magnetic Telegraph Co offices in Threadneedle street, Marshall & Snelgrove’s retail emporium in Oxford street, Cardiff Town Hall, Caversham Park, Reading, and the Surrey Music Hall. In February 1864 he was elected architect and surveyor to the City of London and, with the City’s bridges coming under his control, he prepared a scheme for widening the then Tower Bridge, but the plan was vetoed by Parliament. Undeterred, he turned his hand to other projects, including renovating the Guildhall and designing and building Smithfield, Billingsgate and Leadenhall markets. Jones’s design for a new Tower Bridge, a suspension bridge supported from two piers with a central opening section 200 feet wide for large ships, was approved in 1884 and construction began in April 1887. Unfortunately Jones did not live to see the project completed, dying one day after his 68th birthday in May 1887. An associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects from 1842, he became a fellow in 1855 and served as president in 1882-4