Coins, Tokens, Historical Medals, Cabinets & Books

Wit's Magazine, c. 1784, a silver award medal by Phillips, male kneeling before female who presents him with a wreath, rev. lioness with human head and breasts to left, surrounded by a serpent, edge named (Geo. Ford. Mavor, Nat. Feb. 10 1790), 36mm (D & W 199/777; MG 1334; cf. DNW M12, 122). Some scuffing, otherwise about very fine, rare £90-120

George Samuel Ford (1790-1868), b. St Clement Danes, London, a money lender and solicitor, was a prominent figure in the world of horse racing in the 1840s and 1850s, owning a stable and stud at Newmarket and interests in Epsom. His winners included Poison in the 1845 Oaks and Guaracha in the 1846 Coronation Stakes; he subsequently owned the 1849 Oaks winner, Lady Evelyn. His sons included the MCC cricketer William Augustus Ford (1818-73)