The Preston-Morley Buckinghamshire Collection: Commemorative Medals

THE PRESTON-MORLEY BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COLLECTION, Eton College, a silver award medal for Rowing, type 1, unsigned [by W.J. Taylor], arms, floreat etona on scroll, rev. crossed oars within wreath, named (H.C. Herries, Pair-Oar, 2nd Prize, July 14th 1848), 38mm (D & W 196). Extremely fine and toned, an early award; in maroon fitted case (£60-80)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Preston-Morley Buckinghamshire Collection: Commemorative Medals.

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Provenance:
Bt C. Eimer April 1982.

Herbert Crompton Herries (†March 1870), of Frimley Park, Farnborough, at Eton 1842-8. Herries, 9st 12lb, was a lower boat choice in 1846. He was in the losing eight of the Six and Eight of Lower Boats on 19 June 1846 but in the winning team in the Lower Sixes competition, 26 June 1846. In the Dames v. Tutors contest, 14 May 1847, he rowed for the losing Dames team, although he was in the winning boat in the Six and Eight of Upper Boats, 3 July 1847, and Upper Sixes, 10 July 1847. In 1848 Herries was named second captain of the Boats. He stroked the winning Eton eight against a scratch crew in a race from Boveney to Windsor, and his boat won the Two Sides of College race, 26 May 1848. Herries won that year’s Punting Sweepstakes and placed second in the School Pulling, 10 July 1848 (medal). In 1850 Herries, who by that time was at Trinity College, Cambridge, rowed in a Cambridge crew that was defeated by Eton, although the tables were turned on 19 July 1851 when Herries’ Third Trinity boat took victory. Herries was called to the Bar in 1856 and practised as a barrister until his early death. Further details are sold with the lot.

The first record of silver medals being presented for rowing at Eton was for the Pulling, Sculling and Double Sculling in 1845 (Eton Boating Book, p.55); trophies were given to the winners and medals were awarded to those who placed second in each of these events