Privately produced Victorian silver bravery medal, £1700 at Noonans.
According to the inscription engraved to the reverse, it was Presented to JH Ive, Driver of 0Q Bayswater Omnibus by Mr Rochester and Family for his courageous conduct in rescuing them from the fire at 498 Mile End Road with his Omnibus on June 25 1878.
The detailed engraving to the front shows the method of rescue. At considerable risk to his own property and person, Ive had positioned his horse-drawn cab close to the building, allowing him to climb up and reach the members of the Rochester family trapped on the second floor.
Titled to the bar Novel Fire Escape, the medal struck a chord with collectors of transport-related medals.
Estimated at £60-£80, it took £1700 at the Mayfair, London, saleroom.
