Emin Relief Expedition Star 1887-89, silver, hallmarks for Birmingham 1889, good very fine, scarce £250-300

Awarded by the Royal Geographical Society to members of the expedition under H.M. Stanley for the relief of Emin Pasha, Governor of the Equatorial Province of Sudan who had been isolated by the Mahdi rebellion of 1882. Announcing this award the President of the Society said 'The Society will also like to know that the Council has thought it right to assign marks of honour to all the Zanzibaris and other natives who have accompanied Mr. Stanley across the continent of Africa. The distinction to be assigned to them will take the form of a silver star with a suitable inscription.' Approximately 300 stars are thought to have been made.