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Ref: 4801 |
Sir
Sidney Smith, President of the Reunion of the Knights of the White
Slaves of Africa 1816, bronze medal by Thomas Webb, scarce Obv:
bust of Smith right, WILLIAM SIDNEY SMITH around Rev:
PRESIDENT OF THE REUNION OF THE KNIGHTS OF THE WHITE SLAVES IN AFRICA
within oak wreath Condition:
Good very fine; Diameter: 54mm Reference:
BHM 920; E – Notes:
Admiral Sir Sidney Smith (1764-1840) had a long and distinguished navel
career from 1777 to 1814. After Napoleon’s final defeat he moved
to Paris for the remainder of his life, where he took up the cause
against the European slave trade conducted by the Barbary pirates (an
historical phenomenon little-remembered today). His “Society of
Knights” petitioned European leaders at the Congress of Vienna
and eventually action was taken when a large naval force was sent under
the command of Sir Edward Pellew (Lord
Exmouth) in 1816 which resulted in widescale
destruction to Algiers, the surrender of the Dey
and the ending of Christian slavery. Price
£495 |
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