The Collection of British Orders, Decorations and Medals formed by the late Fred Rockwood

Emin Relief Expedition Star 1887-89, silver, hallmarks for Birmingham 1889, nearly extremely fine £350-450

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of British Orders, Decorations and Medals formed by the late Fred Rockwood.

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Instituted by the Royal Geographical Society and awarded to native personnel of the expedition led by Henry Morton Stanley to rescue Emin Pasha. Approximately 200 of these awards were ordered from Carrington & Co. and at least 175 of them were forwarded to intended recipients. Just nine of them were issued named, all of them to Chiefs. See Africa General Service Medals by Magor for a brief account of this costly expedition, and other interesting notes: ‘Poor Emin Pasha came to an untimely end back in Africa. He was approached by his assassins, who enquired if he could speak Arabic. On receiving an affirmative reply they handed him their warrant instructing them to cut his throat, which they duly did.’