Victoria Cross archive

A once in a lifetime opportunity came up late in August at a Bonhams Military Auction: the chance to buy the archive of a man called H. A. Forbes... and Mr. Forbes made Victoria Crosses. See the original catalogue entry on the Bonhams auctioneer website.

Further reading can be found courtesy of Antique Trade Gazette (which I get every morning as an email edition absolutely free, thanks guys, its been one of the biggest spurs to forcing me to not give up, but to try and keep my business going through coronavirus and unrelated family health problems!)

You can actually see him at work on this Pathe News film from 1945.

Many cards feature the Victoria Cross and those who wear it. Here are just a few:

A cigarette card from the Thomson & Porteous 'V.C. Heroes' set of 1916. — The Thomson & Porteous 'V.C. Heroes' set of 1916.

A cigarette card from the Ogdens 'Victoria Cross Heroes' set of 1901. — The Ogdens 'Victoria Cross Heroes' set of 1901.

A cigarette card from the John Player and Son 'Victoria Cross' set of 1914. — The John Player and Son 'Victoria Cross' set of 1914.

A cigarette card from the Taddy & Co. 'Victoria Cross Heroes' showing Sergeant T Lawrence. — The Taddy & Co. 'Victoria Cross Heroes' showing Sergeant T. Lawrence.

The 'Victoria Cross' cigarette card from the Taddy and Co. 'British Medals and Ribbons' set.

The 'Victoria Cross' cigarette card from the John Player and Son 'War Decorations & Medals' set of 1927. — The John Player and Son 'War Decorations & Medals' set of 1927.