It never rains, but it pours...

The planets have trundled along in their tracks and come along to one of those conjunctions that cause medal collectors to pull their hair out - yes, the winter auctions are with us.

For some reason the big four auction houses have their quarterly sales around the same time, which always causes a glut of choice.  This time it seems worse than usual.  We have the following sales coming up.

22 November Spink
29 November Morton and Eden (Sotheby's)
12/13 December DNW
13 December Bonhams

Each play to their own strengths - Morton and Eden have a large section of World Medals and Orders, which are always eye-catching a attract the big spenders (particularly in the last twenty years, the Imperial Russian orders, which are favoured by oligarchs).  DNW go for both quality and quantity - in a massive sale of 1715 lots they have a Boer War Victoria Cross, two George Crosses, George Medals and more other gallantry medals than you can shake a stick at.  They are also dispersing a large collection of lifesaving medals, which look interesting.

As I say, we're spoilt for choice.  Fortunately, I can't afford to buy anything so it isn't a problem for me.

A Sea Gallantry Medal group of three awarded to Quartermaster Robert Matthews, S.S. Cymric, awarded three life saving medals for saving life on the St. Cuthbert, 1908