Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Defence of Lucknow (C. Jas. Best.) with its original named card box of issue but this with incorrect ‘Baltic’ label, toned, extremely fine £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late Tim Ash.

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Christopher James Best was born at Cawnpore on 26 August 1820. He was an uncovenanted Civil Servant in a clerical grade, and in 1857 was an ‘Indexer’ in the office of the Military Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Oudh, Sir Henry Lawrence. He passed his entire working life at Lucknow and was an original defender of the Lucknow Residency from July to November 1857, serving at the Judicial Post under the command of Captain R. C. Germon, 13th Bengal Native Infantry. Best was accompanied during the siege by his wife and son, John Eustace Philip who died during the siege. He retired in 1880 at the age of 60, with a Government Pension, and went to reside in Calcutta where he died on 25 February 1905.

Best’s serial number on the Mutiny Medal roll is shown as number ‘20’ and this number, together with his name and ‘DL’ for the Defence of Lucknow clasp, is inscribed in ink on his card box of issue. His medal was clearly sent in the incorrect ‘Baltic’ box in error for Best was certainly never in that campaign.

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