The majority of the events were carried out in the quickly-constructed White City stadium in west London over a two-week period, but some of the team games were played in the autumn – including the lacrosse tournament, in which there were only two teams.
Great Britain won the silver medal, so we can assume the Canadians won (the score was 10-14).
Like all officials at the event, the referee of the lacrosse tournament (a single game held on October 24, 1908), was given both a participants’ medal and a white metal and enamel badge. The latter are particularly prized among collectors with prices of £1500-plus not unusual at auction.
At Warrington Auctions (17.5% buyer’s premium) on September 27 both badge and medal were offered together, selling for £2700.
Baldwin at Baldwin’s
The WVR ‘Roy’ Baldwin collection of medals relating to southern Africa was offered for sale by Baldwin’s of St James’s (24% buyer’s premium) on September 20.
There were many unforeseen results in this sale, including the £2800 bid for a heavy silver medal by Tiffany with a ship portrait and the inscription Presented by the American Ladies Committee To HM Queen Victoria in commemoration of the AHS Maine South Africa & China 1899-1901.
A 1902 silver medal presented by the president of the Law Society at a banquet To Solicitors and Articled Clerks who served in the South African Campaign 1899- 1902 proved another rarity selling at £4100. Both results were 10 times the estimate.
Pictured above is a 15ct gold peace medal – cast with a dove flying above an ox-wagon that is inscribed Presented by E Squadron Troopers to Quarter-Master Jackson Aug 26 1902.
The date marked the last set-piece battle of the war, when the Boers’ last defensive position at Bergendal was broken. Estimated at £300-400, it sold at £2900.
