Lot 108 , An important group of medals awarded to Edwin Otho Sachs FRSE, FRGS (1870-1919), consisting

An important group of medals awarded to Edwin Otho Sachs FRSE, FRGS (1870-1919), consisting: 1. LUXEMBOURG: Order of the Oak Crown, 4th class breast badge, in silver and enamel, fine.

2. SWEDEN: Order of the Vasa, 4th class, in gilt and enamel, fine.

3. PRUSSIA: Order of the Red Eagle, 4th class, in silver and enamel, fine.

4 & 6. - RUSSIA: Two gold medals awarded by Emperor Nicholas II for Zeal, the mould by Anton Vasyutinsky, 1894, the front with a portrait of the emperor in profile, surrounded by legend in Cyrillic, ‘’By the Grace of God Nicholas II Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia’’, the verso with ribbon-tied palm, oak and laurel branches and an inscription, ‘’For Zeal’’ in Cyrillic, dia’s, 51mm., ‘56’zolotniks, [14ct.] - weights - each 71grms. (Total -142grms., including gold ribbon attaching wire), fine.

LITERATURE
Illustrated in M. E. Diakov, Medals of the Russian Empire: Part Seven 1894-1917, (Russia: M. Diakov and A. Khramenkov eds., 2007), p. 39, ill. 1138.3

5. - RUSSIA: Order of St. Anne, Medal of Distinction for Foreigners, 1911 pattern, gold and enamel, suspension eyelet bearing the '56' zolotnik [14ct.] gold mark for St. Petersburg (1908-17) and the mark for Varvara Dietwald of Edouard, St.Petersburg, 42 x 27mm., weight - approx 10grms gross, fine.

7. GREAT BRITAIN: A George V silver coronation medal, 1911, fine.

8. FRANCE: Chevalier des Palmes Académiques, silver, fine.

9. FRANCE: Ministère de l'Interior, Actes de devouement, gold medal, the obverse inscribed ‘’Edwin Otto Sachs, Juillet 1903’’; dia, 17mm, approx. 13grms., fine.

10. RUSSIA: Emperor Nicholas II silver medal for Zeal, 4th class, fine.

11. RUSSIA: Emperor Nicholas II medal for diligence, 4th class.

12. PRUSSIA: Red Cross Medal, 3rd class, in bronze, fine.

13. A row of 10 miniature medals (all of the above, excluding the two Russian gold medals for Zeal).

The twelve breast medals and ten miniature medals, (22), contained in a glazed mahogany easel case, by Spink and Son Ltd.

Together with a cased set of miniature medals, being duplicates of the dress medals in the main case and a black and white photograph of the recipient, Edwin Otto Sachs, 16 x 12cm.

NOTE
Edwin Otho Sachs (1870–1919) was a British architect, engineer, fire prevention expert, and author, best known for transforming theatre safety and design. Born in London to German parents, he studied engineering at University College London and architecture in Berlin. Sachs gained hands-on experience with fire brigades in Berlin, Vienna, and Paris before returning to Britain, where he became Vice-President of the National Fire Brigades’ Union and founded the British Fire Prevention Committee in 1897.

A passionate advocate for public safety, Sachs authored influential works on fire prevention and theatre design, including the three-volume Modern Opera Houses and Theatres (1896–1898). In 1898, he became Technical Adviser to the Royal Opera House, overseeing major innovations like electrified stage machinery and advanced fire-safety systems. He also modernised the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Sachs was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1904 and served as Vice-President of the International Fire Service Council. He was also Vice-President of the Magic Circle and an amateur magician. He died in London aged 49. Sachs’ legacy lies in his pioneering contributions to theatre engineering and public safety, which influenced venue standards across Europe for decades to come.
£8,000-12,000

Sold for £9,500