The Sir David Kirch Collection of Skit Notes

S.W.Fores No. 12, for Self, Knapsack & Firelock, 2 Pence, 18 March 1819, promising to pay ‘Duke, Clark’s, Farquhar, or Bearer, when Boys, by purchase, shall no longer supersede the Veteran Subaltern, and when hard & meritorious service shall be the only recommendation to Military Promotion throughout the British Army’, signed by Hector Broadsword and Ron-don-don, with a vignette showing a petticoat above a crown, and labelled ‘Triumphalis Ruina’, and ‘Long Live the Petticoat; Its influence is universal’, extremely fine £100-£150

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Sir David Kirch Collection of Skit Notes.

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Collection

This note is an entirely justified protest against the long-standing practice of purchasing an officers commission in the army. Sons of wealthy families were often put in charge of far more senior professional soldiers, greatly to the detriment of the men they commanded and the army in general. The practice was not entirely banned until 1871!