CHRISTIE'S TO SELL JOHN IRVING ARCTIC MEDAL

Christie's announced the sale of the Arctic Medal awarded posthumously to Franklin's Third Officer on HMS Terror, John Irving, RN (estimate: £20,000-£30,000) in Christie's Travel, Science and Natural History sale, 8 October 2014. Consigned for sale by Irving's descendant, the medal serves as poignant souvenir recalling Franklin's ill-fated expedition. The appearance of this rare Arctic Medal for auction coincides with the announcement by the Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, that one of Franklin's fabled ships has been found in the Arctic.

“Whatever happens it is the will of God. I hope you do not think me so weak as to labour under any presentiment of evil; but remember this is no common voyage … Two years is a long time without any tidings, and perhaps we may be three years at least. Do not give up on us if you hear nothing.”
John Irving to his sister, Woolwich, 18 April 1845

The Arctic Medal was granted by the Queen in 1857 ‘to all Persons, of every rank and class, who have been engaged in the several Expeditions to the Arctic Regions, whether of discovery or search, between the years 1818 and 1855…'(The London Gazette, 5 May 1857). The present medal was awarded posthumously to Irving, the first identifiable victim of the most dreadful and famous of all Arctic expeditions.

To read the complete article, see:
Arctic medal from Franklin's expedition at Christie's South Kensington in October (artdaily.com/news/72825/Arctic-medal-from-Franklin-s-expedition-at-Christie-s-South-Kensington-in-October#.VBWhNPmzFYE)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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