Coins, Tokens and Medals of the Caribbean from the late Raymond Brandon Collection

Medals, Jamaica, Death of William Beckford, 1770, a copper medal, 1770, unsigned, bust three-quarters facing, rev. the zealous advocate, etc, 43mm (BHM 141; E. 732); William Beckford, a copper medalet by J. Kirk for the Sentimental magazine [1773-5], 26mm (BHM 170) [2]. Extremely fine, both with some original colour, but obverse of first spotted £100-150

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Coins, Tokens and Medals of the Caribbean from the late Raymond Brandon Collection.

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Provenance: First bt Spink June 1983.

William Beckford (1709-70) was born in Jamaica, the grandson of Peter Beckford, acting governor in 1702 and where the Beckford family maintained large plantations. He became MP for the City of London, an alderman and Lord Mayor twice, in 1762 and 1769. He was a famous supporter of John Wilkes and the words of his outspoken reproof to George III, on the occasion of the City of London address to the king in 1770, are inscribed in gilt on his monument in the Guildhall. He was the builder of Fonthill Splendens [later Fonthill Abbey], and father of the profligate William Thomas Beckford