Lot 181

Naval General Service Medal 1793-1840,

Nelson and the Royal Navy 1750-1815

5 July 2005, 11:00 BST

London, New Bond Street

£10,000 - £15,000

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Naval General Service Medal 1793-1840,

one bar, Trafalgar (Joseph Button.). Evidence of mild polishing, otherwise small scratches and contact marks, very fine. (1)

Footnotes

Joseph Button was born in London in 1783 and joined H.M.S. Victory on the 11th May 1805. He was a "Prest" man, being nabbed by the Press Gang at Sheerness, along with many others who also were sent to Victory. He was entered on the Ship's Books with Number 356 and joined as a "Landsman". He served at the Battle of Trafalgar as a Landsman. He was discharged when Victory was 'paid off' on 15th January 1806.

This medal was sold at Glendining's in October 1947, it is also accompanied by a Seaby's receipt. There is also a letter from Captain Douglas-Morris dated 15.3.1976, confirming there were two Joseph Buttons who joined HMS Victory however the first one joined in May 1803 and deserted in Gibraltar in June 1803, and was not present at Trafalgar. Another N.G.S. Medal was issued to a Joseph Button with an Algiers bar, this medal has never been seen on the market.

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Naval General Service Medal 1793-1840,

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Naval General Service Medal 1793-1840,

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