Missed this one: Victoria Cross medal withdrawn from sale - Breaking News - National - Breaking News A rare Victoria Cross that was to be auctioned on Sunday has been withdrawn because of a disagreement over its value between descendants of the digger who received the medal. The VC belonged to William Jackson, a private with the 17th Battalion in the Australian Imperial Force fighting on the Western Front in France during World War I. A spokeswoman for auctioneers Bonhams and Goodman said the three siblings of Pte Jackson had had a disagreement and had withdrawn the medal from the Remembrance Day auction. "We received instructions unacceptable to us and unrealistic for the lot - they had set too high a reserve price," she said. She said Bonhams and Goodman valued the VC, along with other service medals won by Pte Jackson who had also fought at Gallipoli, in the range of $500,000 to $800,000. Pte Jackson, at just 18 years old, received the VC in 1916 after his right arm was blown off by an exploding shell while he rescued wounded soldiers in No Man's Land on the battle front. He had continued rescuing wounded comrades even after losing his arm. It was to be the third Victoria Cross to have been sold by the auction house in 16 months. The previous two were sold for $1.2 million and $480,000 to Seven Network chairman Kerry Stokes who donated the medals to the Australian War Memorial on behalf of the RSL. But the auctioneers are still going ahead with the sale of the 1892 Melbourne Cup won by 50-1 outsider Glenloth. The 45cm sterling silver trophy is valued at between $80,000 to $120,000.
interesting. Wonder if the businessman would have sold them or they'd have ended up in the Ashcroft Collection along with some other Oz VC's.
Like most things in life there sometimes becomes a need to sell such possessions, even though you may not want too, however for such an item I would have hoped they give the museums and other trust type organisations first grab at it so it does not end up in some collectors cupboard gathering value.
Its sad when peoiple try an impose unrealistic prices on items at sale. They should have followed the auction houses advice and the item would have beeen sold. At least tyhey would have some money, now they have nothing.
I've always had my doubts about the Ashcroft collection. I know some people see him as someone who collects them as a way of safeguardung there future but ultinately they are still in private hands. The value of each VC sold is partly (mainly?) based on the nature of the action for which it was awarded. That seems to imply that each it action has a certain value, and the more expensive the medal the more important the action. Not a way that I like.
I also have an aversion to seeing VC's and other heroism awards ranked according to their sales/purchase value. The act is somehow demeaned when it is translated into a commercial entity.
Now I do not mind the Ashcroft Collection as he has already started looking for a site to create the museum around them. Fine by me, and it stops them being sold off around the world and lost to those who wish to view them. Id prefer the VC to be in the relevant Regimental museum, the Cheshire Museum has several, but its not to be I am afraid. I am just sad that greed has overcome this family, rather than need.
