A gold freedom box belonging to the Earl of Uxbridge was among the headline lots of a sale of Waterloo memorabilia yesterday, achieving £100,900 ($149,681).
The Earl of Uxbridge is mostly remembered for a classic bit of 19th century battlefield banter with the Duke of Wellington.
 The Earl of Uxbridge was presented with the box by Trinity College Dublin in 1828 |
When hit by a cannonball he is reported to have exclaimed: "By God, sir, I've lost my leg!" which Wellington met with: "By God, sir, so you have!"
A presentation sabre given to Edward Solly by Thomas Harris (who fought together in the Napoleonic wars) also sold well at the Bonhams auction, achieving £43,750 ($64,901).
It's inscribed "From Edward Solly To Thomas Noel Harris, In Commemoration Of Their Fellowship At The Memorable Battle Of Leipzig Of The 18th And 19th Of October 1813."
Jon Baddeley, managing director at Bonhams, commented: "The battle of Waterloo was one of the most significant military encounters of the 19th century and the outcome had a profound effect on the future of Europe so not surprisingly there was a lot of public interest is this sale and the bidding from collectors was fierce".
We have this genuine strand of Napoleon's hair available.
Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about medals and militaria auctions.
