News from Spink

Imperial Russian Awards & Medals Achieve World Record Prices at auction

This morning at Spink in London, a crowded auction room saw Russian lots sell for enormous prices.  Amongst the highlights were the honours and awards bestowed upon General Thiébault Charles Maurice Janin (1862-1946), Commanding Officer of the Czech Legion, and one of the three most senior Allied Officers during the Allied Intervention in Russia, 1918-20.

A Parisian by birth, he was a controversial figure prominent in the Russian Imperial Court of Tsar Nicholas II during a period of high intrigue. After the infamous murder of the Russian Imperial Family it is reported by several contemporary sources, including Pierre Gilliard, the French tutor of the Tsar’s children (1905-18), that Janin carried out of Russia the human remains and effects of the Imperial Family on a high speed train from under the clutches of the Bolshevik agents charged with retrieving the damning evidence.

The collection was made up of 18 lots that sold for a total of £293,418.  The top selling lot was the extremely rare Order of the White Eagle with swords, which sold for £161,100 to an anonymous phone bidder- a new world record price for this order at auction. There were ten phone bidders competing for the medals and awards of General Janin, making the sale a truly global event.

541 lots fell under the hammer today which resulted in a sale total of £700,133.

Top Five Lots Sold

Lot 533,  Russia, Imperial, Order of the White Eagle with swords, to General Thiébault Charles Maurice Janin  Sold for £161,100.

Lot 372, The Superb and Important ‘Dhofar’ C.B.E., Immediate ‘Battle of the Imjin’ M.C. Group of Seventeen to Brigadier ‘Mike’ Harvey, Sold for £86,350.

Lot 534, Russia, Imperial, Order of St. Anne, to General Thiébault Charles Maurice Janin, Sold for £58,750

Lot 7, The Superb Two Clasp ‘Phoebe’ Naval General Service Medal to Lieutenant C. Prowett, Sold for £57,600.

Lot 535, Russia, Imperial, Order of St. Vladimir to General Thiébault Charles Maurice Janin, Sold for £26,550.

About Spink

Spink is the world’s leading auctioneer of coins, stamps, medals and banknotes.  Since its foundation in 1666, the Spink name has become synonymous with tradition, experience and integrity. Holder of three royal warrants and numerous records for prices achieved at auction, Spink offers an unparalleled range of services to collectors worldwide.  Spink is headquartered in London and holds over 35 auctions a year around the globe.  In June 2006 Spink shattered the world record for a British Coin sold at auction with the sale of the Double Leopard Gold Coin for a staggering £460,000.

Public Enquiries:  020 7563 4000 – www.spink.com or info@spink.com

Images:  Spink Press Office on 020 7563 4009