Auction Catalogue

22 July 2016

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 677

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22 July 2016

Hammer Price:
£150

A bestowal document appertaining to Sir George Buchanan, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., namely the warrant for his appointment to Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, dated in June 1909 and signed by Edward VII, together with related forwarding letter from the Secretary of the Order, the first framed and glazed, some wear but generally good condition (2) £60-80

George William Buchanan was born in Copenhagen in November 1854, the fourth son of the Rt. Hon. Sir Andrew Buchanan, Bt., a distinguished diplomat. Young George was educated at Wellington College and followed in his father’s footsteps when he entered the Foreign Office as an Attaché in Vienna in 1875. A long and distinguished career ensued, his postings including Rome, Tokyo, Berne, Sofia and The Hague, prior to service as Ambassador to Russia, Italy and the Vatican.

He was the last British Ambassador to the Imperial Russian Court, based at Petrograd from 1910-18, when ‘he stood by the unfortunate ruler of Russia with wise advice whenever he was allowed an opportunity of tendering it, but too often tendering it in vain.’ Assorted foreign distinctions aside, Buchanan was appointed G.C.B. in 1915, G.C.M.G. in 1913 and G.C.V.O. in 1909. He died in December 1924; sold with copied research.