Centuries-old Irish military treasures and the signatures of Napoleon, Queen Victoria and Charles Darwin – discovered in a London home – have excelled at auction.
The haul of historical family heirlooms staggered auction experts at Hansons London, and some of the finds even took the vendors by surprise.
Chris Kirkham, associate director of Hansons London, discovered the items at a property in Twickenham, Richmond upon Thames. They included an incredibly rare Irish military helmet ‘worthy of a museum’ which he spotted on a shelf.
He said: “I noticed the leopard banding and unusual style of the hat and immediately realised it was 18th century and significant due to the Irish cavalry connection.”
It was identified as a late 18th century/early 19th century Irish Volunteer Tarleton-pattern helmet made for the ‘Kinnelea & Kerricurrihy Cavalry’. It went under the hammer at Hansons London on October 28 guided at £300-£500 but reached £6,500 after an intense battle between phone and internet bidders.
Equally sought after, and from the same property, was a collection of scarce, late 18th century/early 19th century Irish Volunteer uniform accoutrements including buttons, epaulettes and belt plates. The militaria find achieved £9,000, smashing its £200-£400 estimate.
Another lot to surprise and excel – hammering at £8,400 from a £500-£1,000 guide – was a collection of autographs and correspondence collected by archaeologist and author Hodder Michael Westropp (1820-1884), from County Cork, Ireland.
Important signatures included King George IV (1762-1830), Queen Victoria (1819-1901), Napoleon III (1808-1873), Charles Darwin (1809-1882), William Gladstone (1809-1898), Horatio Herbert Kitchener (1850-1916) and Giuseppe Maria Garibaldi (1807-1882). Educated at Trinity College, Dublin, Westropp wrote what is probably the ever first handbook of archaeology.
Mr Kirkham said: “Top lots in our October sale came from a notable Twickenham family descending from Ireland. Incredibly rare Irish Volunteer military uniform treasures together with signatures from some of the world’s most famous historical figures came to light.
“The correspondence included a letter from Charles Darwin which was a surprise to us all, including the vendor. When we took the book back to the office for closer inspection we also discovered Queen Victoria and Napoleon signatures. All of the finds were worthy of a museum.
“’It’s staggering to think these items had remained in the same family since the 1780s, most recently tucked away in a Twickenham home. Even more poignant is the fact the family suffered a burglary in which the perpetrator stole antique pistols but left these historical artefacts behind.
“We’re delighted they have surpassed all expectations at auction. There was intense interest from all over the world thanks to their scarcity value. We understand items relating to the ‘Kinnelea & Kerricurrihy Cavalry are particularly hard to come by.
“The flamboyant Tarleton helmet with its side plume, gilt trim, leopard skin band and shaggy black bearskin crest is a rare survivor, possibly the only one of its kind left in the world. It’s a museum piece really. There can be very few, if any, identical examples in existence. The owner was unaware of its historical significance. It was an ancestral heirloom.”
The helmet is named after British general and Liverpool Whig politician Sir Banastre Tarleton (1754-1833). He volunteered to fight in the American War of Independence at the age of 21 in 1775. During the conflict he made the Tarleton helmet popular. In fact, English portrait artist Sir Joshua Reynolds painted Tarleton wearing a Tarleton helmet.
Chris said: “The hat was worn by all ranks in the British Legion, an elite British provincial regiment led by Tarleton which was established during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). Royal Horse Artillery troops wore the helmet until the end of the Napoleonic Wars. It was also the headgear of choice for light dragoon regiments from about 1796 to 1812.”
The items sold in the October 28 Hansons London Fine Art and Collectables Auction. Entries are invited for monthly sales at Hansons London.
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