Boer War items under hammer
REPRESENTING BOTH ANGLO AND BOER SIDES An array of interesting lots are up for grabs from Ray Leppan’s collection.
One of the most significant events in the history of South Africa was the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. Although the protagonists were Britain and the two Boer Republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, the population of South Africa as a whole became embroiled in the war either directly or indirectly.
The Boer War was responsible for the most amazing variety of ornaments, keepsakes and commemorative pieces manufactured in a host of different countries.
Apart from South Africa and Britain they mainly came from France, Germany, Holland, USA, Australia and Canada and included artefacts made by prisoners-of-war in camps scattered as far and wide as Ceylon, Bermuda and St Helena.
Collecting these items is obviously something that has taken off worldwide and has become quite a passion for some over many years.
One such person, Ray Leppan, who has been a well-known and avid collector of all things Anglo-Boer War for the past 35 years, has given Old Johannesburg Warehouse Auctioneers the honour of selling his collection in its entirety. The company is proud to be conducting this auction as a world-class collection such as this does not come under the hammer very often.
This collection is so comprehensive that the auction thereof had to be split over two separate months to do justice to the breadth and width of this collection.
Representing both the Anglo as well as the Boer sides almost equally, this auction will offer an exciting array of memorabilia to collectors, institutions and dealers alike. With medals and medallions, documents and maps, coins, stamps and notes, Prisoner of War items (including pieces from Bermuda, Ceylon and St. Helena), ephemera, (trench) art, weapons, silverware, jewellery and pieces of furniture.
Part one of this exclusive auction takes place tomorrow and Sunday at Old Johannesburg Warehouse’s premises in Selby. Part two follows on November 11 and 12.
Viewing for this auction is open to the public today from 8.30am to 4pm. On auction days it is open from 8.30am until the auction starts at 10am. Catalogues can be viewed online on www.oldjwauctioneers.com. If you can’t make it to the auction, there is a convenient online commission bidding tool on our website. For more information contact us at 011 836 1650 or at info@ oldjwauctioneers.com.