A Pontefract siege coin was a bit of a mystery to all at Fellows apart from our numismatics specialist Sally Oliver. She immediately identified that this strangely shaped coin was a shilling from 1648. This silver coin, minted during the English Civil War, gives us a glimpse into a turbulent time in British history. This coin isn’t just a piece of currency. It’s a tangible link to a crucial moment in history when England was torn apart by civil war. A Seventeenth-Century Civil War The English Civil War lasted from 1642 to 1651. This conflict resulted in the execution of King Charles I in 16 ..read more

A Caterpillar Club pin is a tiny but significant pin awarded to members of an exclusive group. The Irvin parachute company awards them to those people whose lives have been saved by one of their parachutes. Members receive a membership card and a distinctive pin. The gold caterpillar brooch has red (sometimes garnet, other times enamel) eyes. Raised gold stripes are lined along the body of the pin just like on the body of a caterpillar. Engraved with the owner’s name and rank, these pins (or brooches) serve as tangible symbols of the thrilling tales behind their acquisition. Sgt Bernard John ..read more

Caterpillar Club brooches – insignia of the club that no one wants to join. Caterpillar Club History It is hard to find a fully corroborated account of who founded this mysterious club. The basis remains the same. After hearing about a test pilot who was saved by his parachute during a failed test in 1922, an idea was formed. Maurice Hutton and Verne Timmerman (reporter and photographer for the Dayton Herald) and H. H. St. Clair ( a parachute engineer for the USA government) founded the club to recognise those airmen who had been saved by parachutes. While some reports say that Leslie Irvin ..read more

In the realm of luxury fashion, few names evoke a sense of sophistication and craftsmanship quite like Bottega Veneta. Established in Italy in the 1960s, this iconic brand has become synonymous with timeless elegance, unparalleled quality, and understated luxury. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a global powerhouse, Bottega Veneta’s journey is a testament to the enduring allure of Italian craftsmanship and design.  A Rich History of Craftsmanship The story begins in 1966 when Italian entrepreneurs Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro founded the brand in Vicenza, Italy ..read more

In this blog, we will discuss a brief history of the Patek Philippe Calatrava watch and its contribution to the world of horology.  History of the Patek Philippe Calatrava Patek Philippe trademarked the name Calatrava in the late 1800s. The origin of the name goes back to the 12th Century when it was used as a symbol of Calatrava knights in Spain and Portugal. In 1932, brothers Jean and Charles Henri Stern invested in Patek Philippe after the company struggled through the Great Depression. The Stern company was previously a dial supplier to Patek Philippe and other Swiss manufacturers ..read more

The Heuer Autavia, reference 1163, was introduced in 1970. Some brands have brought out models that become an entity unto themselves. For example, ‘Daytona’, ‘Submariner’ or ‘Datejust’ make you think of Rolex. When you think of Heuer, your mind automatically steers towards three models, Monaco, Carrera and most importantly the Autavia. Built 13.5mm thick and 42.5mm wide it is a hefty old thing. The face is pronounced with its black dial, silvered subsidiary chronograph dials, punchy red seconds hand and hour marker highlights. It is then finished off with a date aperture at six. If you’re ..read more

Lady King was the wife of Sir Carlton King, a chief justice of the Indian Civil Service. They had three daughters and resided in Lucknow, Allahabad and Delhi, with summers spent in Nainital. Also known as ‘Fanny’, Lady King’s mother was related to two well-known Indian artists’ families: the Daniells and Princeps. After Sir Carlton King ended his career at the Delhi High Court, the Kings returned to England in the 1930s. A photograph of Lady King Lady King’s Earrings These earrings show a typical torpedo-shaped drop Indian design of the 1830s and 1840s, featuring diamonds, rubies, and emera ..read more

Arnaud Vincent de Montpetit was an esteemed portrait miniature artist, born and raised in the serene countryside of France. Montpetit worked in both Bourg-en-Bresse and Paris. As his reputation grew he caught the attention of Royalty and the aristocracy. He is known for evolving various processes such as Eludoric painting. The method of painting oils on fabric under a film of water and fixing the miniature inside the glass. Arnaud Vincent de Montpetit signed his work ‘Montpetit’. History of Portrait Miniatures Portrait miniatures first appeared in the 16th century in the European r ..read more

Mrs Charlotte Isabella Newman (née Gibbs) (1836-1920) was a pioneering female jewellery designer and maker in the 19th century. Mrs Newman’s Early life As a young woman, she studied at the Government School of Design, at Somerset House in London (better known to us today as the Royal College of Art) and continued to educate herself, even travelling to Paris and further around Europe, taking inspiration from the various museums she visited on the continent.  Back in England, she began her career as an apprentice to John Brogden, a prominent goldsmith and manufacturing jeweller of the Vic ..read more

Cartier first began producing watches in the early 20th century, beginning with the Santos. They quickly progressed into being one of the most creative watchmakers in the world. Join us as we appreciate some highlights from Cartier’s impressive back catalogue of watches. Cartier built their name on quality and luxury. Every aspect of owning an item by Cartier is designed to be as opulent as possible. This focus on excellence quickly translated itself into their approach to watchmaking. Louis Cartier and Edmund Jaeger reached an agreement in 1907 for Jaeger to create movements exclusively f ..read more