The Upfill-Brown Collection

ALEXANDER DAVISON'S MEDAL FOR THE NILE 1798, gold, some light surface scuff marks, otherwise good very fine and very rare

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The AA Upfill-Brown Collection.

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Provenance: From the cabinet of the second Earl Spencer (1758-1834) dispersed privately by the present Earl in the last decade. George John Spencer, second Earl Spencer was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty in 1794. This office he held for upwards of six years, the most stirring, the most glorious in our naval history, so that for him, more than for any other English administrator, may be claimed the title of organiser of victory. It was under his rule that the battles of St. Vincent and Camperdown were fought and won; that the mutiny of Spithead, the outcome of years of neglect, was happily ended; that the treasonable revolt at the Nore was suppressed; and it was still more directly by him that Nelson was singled out for independent command and sent into the Mediterranean to win the battle of the Nile. Alexander Davison is known to have presented his medal in gold to several distinguished or deserving figures including His Majesty King George III.