Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

Collar of S’s, an excellent collar chain of multiple silver ‘S’ links and two silver-gilt heraldic links; each ‘S’ link stamped on the reverse with the letters, ‘J.S.’ and the London hallmark composed of the Queen’s head and lion passant but lacking date letter, jeweller’s marks to reverse of both haraldic links, each silver connecting ring stamped with a lion passant, pre-1890, contained in Garrard, London case of issue, nearly extremely fine and of the highest rarity £1800-2200

This chain was worn by Captain Sir William Goldsmith, R.N., in his office as Sergeant-at-Arms to three monarchs. Sold with a photograph of the recipient in uniform wearing the collar chain; a telegram, dated 1 March 1895, inviting Captain Goldsmith to Windsor Castle; a letter with envelope to Captain Goldsmith of H.M.Y. Alberta, from H. Edwards at ‘Osborne’, dated 24th August 1895, informing Captain Goldsmith that he was being offered the post of Sergeant-at-Arms, and a document from the Lord Chamberlain’s Office, dated 7th May 1910, certifying that Captain Sir William Goldsmith was appointed one of the Sergeants-at-Arms to His Majesty.

William Burgess Goldsmith was born in 1837 and entered the Royal Navy in 1852. He served in the China War of 1857-60 and was awarded a medal with two clasps. Captain of the H.M.Yacht Alberta, 1883-97, he was knighted on the quarter deck on 31st August 1897, the day of his retirement. He was appointed Sergeant-at-Arms to Queen Victoria, 1895-1901, to King Edward VII, 1901-10, and to George V, from 1910 until his death in 1912. He was latterly the Admiralty Commissioner for Cowes Harbour and was a F.R.A.S. and F.R.G.S.