Rowley's Auctioneers - Collectors’ Items and Works of Art

(The following information regarding this lot has been submitted by the vendor)

The letter on the medals O P K S stand for Order of Pearly Kings Society.

John and Sarah met in around 1890 and fell in love. Sarah was from a Wealthy family and when she married John; her father cut off her inheritance and ordered her from the house. John and Sarah had a Daughter in 1899 and a son in 1906. Sarah's mother used to visit secretly arriving at their small house in Clapham, in a horse and carriage bringing gifts for her grandchildren.

John worked as a Carpenter, bookkeeper and rent collector. They became members of The Order Pearly Kings Society and started to collect monies for the Charity Hospitals in their area, mainly the Royal Free Hospital. They had costumes of various kinds including a Full Red Indian Chief outfit made of real buckskin. They would colour their skin to make them look like the real thing. These outfits were sold in the late 30's to Pinewood Studios.

Sarah became Treasurer for the organization in the Twenties, and was recognized for her services with the presentation of Medals for the various years that she worked. Year after year they were the highest collectors of monies at various parades around London along with other members of the Society. They were awarded 16 medals in total for all their service over the years from 1922 to 1930.

They lost their eldest child to Consumption in 1911 and Sarah died in the 1930's. John worked up to the Age of 94 still at the same company. He died aged 95. Their son John worked as a builder all his life and died at the age of 98.