News from Spink

BATTLE OF BRITAIN FIGHTER ACE MEDALS SOLD AT AUCTION FOR £66,800

Battle of Britain Fighter Ace Wing Commander H.C. Mayers’s medals were sold at Spink for £66,800 (pre-sale estimate £18,000-22,000). Mayers, a member of the illustrious 601 Squadron Royal Air Force (affectionately known as the ‘Gentlemen Riders’ – a squadron originally made up of the aristocracy, millionaires and entrepreneurs) was credited with shooting down 8 enemy aircrafts during the famous air battle.

Mayers was shot down four times himself, sustaining wounds and burns on two occasions. He carried out a miraculous air to land rescue on Boxing Day 1941, when one of his men’s aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire over the Western Desert. Mayers landed his Hurricane in front of a column of rapidly advancing enemy vehicles. He picked up his comrade and put him in the aircraft’s single seat before clambering into the cockpit on top of him. He took off in the nick of time with bullets whistling all around him.

Mayers was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar for his gallant conduct during the Second World War. His luck ran out in July 1942 when he was shot down for the last time, his aircraft was recovered with the cockpit found open, but there was no sign of Mayers. It is believed that he was captured and then reported missing when a ship with British prisoners, enroute to Sicily, was sunk in the Mediterranean – He was never seen again.

Mark Quayle, Associate Director and Medals Specialist for Spink, stated, ‘We are delighted with the price achieved by Wing Commander Mayers’ medal group. It is reflective of the character of the man, and indeed the continued buoyancy of the Collectables market at present.’

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Spink is the world’s leading auctioneer of coins, stamps, medals and banknotes with offices in London, Singapore, New York and Dallas.  Since its foundation in 1666, the Spink name has become synonymous with tradition, experience and integrity. Holders of three royal warrants and numerous records for prices achieved at auction, Spink offer an unparalleled range of services to collectors worldwide.

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