Early 19th century presentation sword, £13,000 at Antony Cribb.
He was knighted and became Lord Mayor of London in 1801 and on April 28, 1805, was appointed colonel of the Royal East London Militia.
In the same year, however, he was charged with ‘Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman’ by some junior officers who complained of bullying and abusive behaviour. Sir John was acquitted although he was cautioned to be more guarded in his future language towards the officers of his regiment.
A commemoration of his acquittal appeared for sale at Antony Cribb (25% buyer’s premium) in Newbury on July 12 in the form of an inscribed gold mounted presentation sword and gold mounted scabbard hallmarked for Ray and Montague.
The 2ft 8in (81.5cm) long blade is etched with the royal arms, the GR cypher and various classical motifs, while the gold hilt has a knuckle guard formed as entwined serpents, a lion’s head pommel and is embossed with the arms and regimental arms of the recipient to the shell guard.
'Sentiments of Triumph'
Early 19th century presentation sword, £13,000 at Antony Cribb.
A lengthy inscription to the reverse of the locket reads: This sword was Presented on 14 April A.D.1806 To Col. Sir John Eamer Kt & C & C & C by the Officers, Non Commissioned Officers and Privates of the Royal East London Militia in Testimony of their Attachment to him as their Commanding Officer and their Esteem for him as a Gentleman & a Soldier and proudly to record the Sentiments of Triumph they share with him in his highly honourable Acquittal pronounced by a General Court Martial on ten charges preferred against him by Capt Will Ayres who with four other Officers were in Consequence Displaced from the Regt by the express command of the Sovereign.
Estimated at £5000-7000, it sold for a hammer price of £13,000.
