Worldwide headlines and record-breaking results saw Hansons Auctioneers’ Medals and Militaria Auction soar to unprecedented success in March.
The overall sales figure for 416 lots was more than £150,000 which was around £40,000 above the top pre-sale estimate.
Top items included lot 6059, a Second World War RAF DSO medal group together with the real Great Escape journal, which belonged to Flight Lieutenant Vivian Phillips. It sold for a hammer price of £13,500 to a private UK buyer.
After being captured by the Germans, Welshman Mr Phillips helped dig a tunnel which led to a mass breakout from German prisoner of war camp Stalag Luft III – a story told in Hollywood movie The Great Escape.
Adrian Stevenson, head of the Medals and Militaria Department at Hansons, said: “The journal was an amazing find and an equally amazing read, capturing the spirit of the famous story in words, sketches and cartoons.
“It sparked worldwide media coverage, as did another item in the sale, an 1889 penny that saved a soldier’s life in the First World War.”
The coin, bent by the impact of a pistol shot, was kept in the breast pocket of Private John Trickett. It was sold as part of a WW1 British medal group for £4,500 (lot 6046). It was bought by a member of the Trickett family, who was a room bidder at Hansons’ Derbyshire saleroom, pitted against six phone bidders and potential internet buyers.
“The guide price was £100 to £200 but the story of how the bullet saved Private Trickett’s life resonated with people around the world and interest was huge,” said Mr Stevenson. “Pre-sale bids reached £1,700.”
Another top-selling item was lot 6013, a Napoleonic era medal bar brooch to Viscount Hill, Commander of II Corps at Waterloo, which was contested to £9,200.
Other highlights included a large collection of Second World War German Third Reich medals and awards, including several Knights Crosses of the Iron Cross, which sold for in excess of £5,000 each, along with a rare German Motor Sports DAAC badge, lot 6087A, which sold for £4,800.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons, said: “It was a record-breaking militaria sale in a department which is going from strength to strength.”
Hansons’ Medals and Militaria Auction took place on March 22. Entries are now invited for the July 26 Medals and Militaria sale. Closing date July 1. To arrange a free valuation, call Adrian Stevenson on 07392 872902 or email: [email protected]
