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many items that are sitting on the floor next to a suitcasethree medals and a star are on a white surfacean old photo of a bunch of old photos on a tablea group of six different colored medals sitting on top of each othera black hat with a gold trim and a feather on ita clock that is on the wall on the floora gold emblem on the back of a white shirtbrown leather wallet with a gold emblem and a crown on topa close up of a wooden object on a white surfacea black leather belt with a gold logo on ita close up of a brown leather belt with a brass bucklea close up of a black leather bracelet with a brass buttonblue and gold belt with lion medallions on ita close up of a dog ' s muzzle with a leash attachedan old black hat is sitting on top of a white tablea dog paw print on the floor of a caran image of a military hat with a rope around ita piece of paper that has been pinned to a pair of scissorstwo pieces of luggage sitting on the floor next to each othera suitcase with a hat and other items inside of it
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105 - [MILITARIA] MEMORABILIA of a distinguished French Vice-Admir…
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Estimate €800 - €1,200
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Description
[MILITARIA] MEMORABILIA of a distinguished French Vice-Admiral, René-Emile GODFROY (1885–1981): Military headgear and medals Presented in a leather case bearing a label reading ‘Admiral Godfroy – Bicorne Case’ and featuring an old label from Saint-Raphaël-Valescure railway station, the following items are contained within: - A French three-star vice-admiral’s cap in blue felt, embroidered with metallic thread. Wear to the peak and mould on the inside. - Maison NICOLAS – H.WINTER, successor, 61 rue des Petits Champs, Paris, Vice-Admiral’s bicorne, full dress model in black felt with gold braid featuring oak leaves, a tricolour cockade and a gold festoon surrounding the admiral’s shield with a star. All topped with black ostrich feathers. The inner lining is of white silk. Signed with the manufacturer’s name. With its carrying box measuring 44x18x18. Also included: - A senior officer’s sword belt, Third Republic model, in dark blue leather with blue silk braid featuring four gold stripes and a brass plate depicting a Gorgon’s head. Approximately 80 cm waist circumference - A Third Republic 1872-style naval officer’s dress belt in brown leather and silk, with a gilded brass plate bearing a naval anchor. 82 cm waist circumference. Signs of wear and verdigris on the buckle. - Trimmings made of metal threads. - Officer’s Cross of the Legion of Honour, Third Republic model. Some chips in the enamel on the cross. - MOROCCO, Officer’s Medal of the Ouissam Alaouite, first type. Moulay Youssef period (1920s–1930s). Twists on the star; chipped enamel. - Commemorative medal for the Great War 1914–1918. All with ribbons In presentation cases, various table medals chronicling the prestigious career of René Emile GODFROY: - Silver medal from the Geographical Society for Charcot’s ‘Pourquoi-Pas’ Antarctic expedition, 1908–1910, awarded to R.E. GODFROY, Midshipman. Weight: 64.9 g - Bronze medal from the French Topographical Society, awarded to Ensign R.E. GODFROY in 1912. - Commemorative bronze medal from the Yacht Club de France, dated Christmas 1936. In memory of J.B. CHARCOT (1867–1836). Awarded to Rear Admiral GODFROY. - Bronze medal from the Central Society for the Rescue of Shipwrecked Persons, awarded to Lieutenant GODFROY, commander of the ‘Capricieuse’, for the rescue of 100 men from the ‘Hymalaya’, which was torpedoed on 22 June 1917. - Silver medal from the Aéro-club de France to Lieutenant Commander GODFROY for a seaplane cruising race in 1923. Weight: 54.9 g. - Bronze medal presented by Mr Paul PAINLEVÉ, Minister of War (1925–1929), to Commander GODFROY. - Bronze medal awarded by François PIÉTRI, Minister for the Navy, to Rear Admiral GODFROY in faithful remembrance of his service. Enclosed are 20 old-style 10x15 cm photographs depicting the damage caused by the 1906 typhoon in Hong-Kong, notably the wreck of the British vessel HMS PHOENIX in Kowloon Harbour, and one 8x11 cm photograph depicting a landing in Buenos Aires. René Emile GODFROY (1885–1981) He was born in Paris in 1885 and joined the navy at the age of 16 in 1901. He took part in Charcot’s Antarctic expedition from 1908 to 1910 as a midshipman. He rescued part of the crew of the Himalaya, which was torpedoed in 1917 by a German submarine off the coast of Sicily. He was one of the leading specialists in aeronautics after the First World War. He rose through the ranks during the interwar period and served in the Ministry of the Navy. At the start of the Second World War, he was best known for commanding Force X, which was nearly sunk by the British. The squadron remained stranded in Alexandria, Egypt, and, thanks to the vice-admiral, escaped destruction at Mers-el-Kébir following the British torpedo attack. In 1943, the Vice-Admiral rallied to General Giraud’s cause but was sidelined by the Gaullists. He died in Fréjus in 1981.
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About the sale Historical Memorabilia, Militaria, Books and Manuscripts
Auction location
Auction time 10/27/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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