Commemorative, Historical and Art Medals

Captain Richard Hornsby of the brig Wrightson and Isabella, Defeat of the French Privateer, Marquis of Brancas, a cast copy of his gold presentation medal, in the form of the Royal Family medal of 1732 by J. Croker and J.S. Tanner, in pewter, busts of George II and Queen Caroline vis-à-vis, rev. busts of Frederick, Prince of Wales and his siblings, edge engraved in italic script (His Majesty’s Reward to Richd. Hornby [sic] of the Wrightson and Isabell for Bravely defending her with five men & three boys against a French privateer of 70 men and blowing up the privateer June 2 1744), 68mm (cf. MI II, 500/47; E 528). Fine, interesting £200-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, British Medals From the Collection of David Corrick.

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Provenance: Glendining Auction, 21 March 1910, lot 301; DNW Auction 68A, 15 December 2005, lot 1293.

Captain Richard Avery Hornsby, of Sunderland, was sailing to The Hague with a load of barley when he was confronted by the French privateer. It would seem that the Captain’s fortunate shot with a double-loaded blunderbuss was the deciding factor in winning the action after which the Marquis of Brancas sank. In September 1744 George II awarded Hornsby a gold medal and chain worth £100 for his bravery, at a ceremony at Kensington Palace. His men each received a bounty of £5, whilst the boys received a mere 40 shillings. Sold with research documentation and photocopies of the relevant issues of the London Gazette, June 1744