British Historical Medals from the Collection formed by Robert Thomas

International Exhibition, South Kensington, 1862, a copper award medal by L.C. Wyon, Britannia surrounded by symbolic figures, rev. legend in wreath, edge named (Sir C. Wentworth Dilke, Bart), 77mm (Allen A1; BHM 2747; E 1553); The Deep-Sea Swimming Club, bronze award medals (4), unsigned, named (Sir C.W. Dilke, Bart, Completing 1 1/2 Mile Championship Course, August 7 1913; 1913 3/4 Mile Sealed Handicap Aug. 17th, Completing Course, Sir W. Dilke, Bart; Club Championship Race, Pier to Pier & Back, July 12th 1914…; Shoreham to Brighton 5 Mile Race, July 22nd 1914…), all 28mm [5]. First extremely fine, others very fine £120-150

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, British Historical Medals from the Collection formed by Robert Thomas.

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First only illustrated. Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke, 1st Bt (1810-69), art patron, horiculturalist and politician; b. London, educ. Westminster School and Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he studied law; co-founded The Gardeners’ Chronicle in 1841 with Joseph Paxton; zealous promoter of the Great Exhibition, 1851 and one of the English commissioners at the New York Industrial Exhibition, 1853; appointed one of the five royal commissioners for the Great Exhibition, 1862; Whig MP for Wallingford, 1865-8; travelled to Russia to assist with the preparations of the Horticultural Exhibition at St Petersburg, 1869, but died there six days before the exhibition opened. His grandson was Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke, 3rd Bt (1874-1918), educ. Rugby and Trinity Hall, Cambridge, a noted pre-War swimmer and golfer. See also Lot 505