Ancient, British and World Coins and Banknotes

Great Exhibition, 1851, Services medal, in bronze, by W. Wyon, bust of Prince Albert left, rev. for services, edge named (Captn. Labalmondiere), 48mm (Allen 50; BHM 2465; E 1461; cf. DNW 45, 620-6); International Exhibition, 1862, Services medal, in bronze, after W. Wyon, coronetted bust of Victoria left, rev. for services, edge named (Capt. Labalmondiere), 55mm (BHM –; E 1555) [2]. First good very fine, second extremely fine and practically as struck; both in cases of issue [former broken] (£80-100)

Lt-Col Douglas W.P. Labalmondière, CB (†1893); educ. Eton and Sandhurst, where he passed out first with honours; enlisted in the 83rd Foot, 21 June 1833 and served in the Canadian rebellion as an Ensign; Lt 25 May 1838; Capt. 7 June 1844; on special duty under the Poor Law commissioners in Ireland during the famine, 1848-9; with the 83rd Foot in India, 1849-50, then appointed Inspecting Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police by Sir George Grey, April 1850; appointed Assistant Commissioner under Sir Richard Mayne, 1856, and succeded Mayne as acting Commissioner, 1868-9; retired 1884 and appointed CB.

Sold with an ALS from Sir Richard Mayne to Labalmondière, 12 December 1855, relating to the award of a diamond pin to Labalmondière after the visit of Victor Emanuel II, King of Sardinia, to London, 30 November-8 December 1855, and Labalmondière’s pencilled reply, plus copy letters to and from Labalmondière and much other police-related material