Holborn Restaurant, 1874, lead medal, unsigned, group of figures at entrance to a building, reverse couples dancing on ballroom floor, named (Lady Maple, Nov.6th 1895), 69mm (BHM 2990; E. 1640; Taylor 207a). Extremely fine and practically as struck, a handsome architectural medal (£25-35)

Emily Harriet, Lady Maple (née Merryweather: 1849-1927); wife of Sir John Blundell Maple, 1st Bt. (1845-1903), merchant and sportsman, of Childwickbury, St. Albans, and Newmarket; chairman of Maple & Co, upholsterers and furniture makers, 1880-1903; Conservative MP for the Dulwich division of Camberwell, 1887-1903; racehorse breeder and owner of considerable success, whose horses won 544 races between 1883 and 1903, including the Cesarewitch and the 1000 Guineas.

After her husband’s death Lady Maple married Mr Montague Ballard in 1906. Her only child, Grace Emily, was also twice married, latterly to Archibald Weigall (1874-1952), MP for Horncastle 1911-20, and Governor of South Australia, 1920-2.

The restaurant, at the corner of Little Queen Street, was demolished in 1955