Post your favorite tipstaff or truncheon (for fun and in memory of Mervyn!)

[CollectorInTheUSA]

6 hours ago, Nightbreak said:

Yes, John's got the SHC illustrated in his book as a Victorian example, plate 8, figure 1.  Mine's got the W R on either side of the crown, though.

Excellent, I missed that one, thanks for pointing it out.

3 hours ago, Nightbreak said:

I went looking for another example of my Edinburgh tipstaff, and the one listed here, No. 103, is classified as 19th century, with no monarch. 

What a glorious sight this is, though.  Woolley and Wallis Silver catalogue from 2011.  This must have been from someone's collection.

 

I personally don't trust much that comes out of the mouths of auctioneers, as they are fairly clueless.  Even the ones that sell military items and guns don't know more than just quote Mervyn's book.  Often they offer for sale re cut tipstaffs and re painted truncheons, or even outright fakes.  The Woolley and Wallis department that sold these tipstaffs was the silver department, so not at all related to our hobby.  I do believe this was one man's collection that was offered for sale.  Years before this sale, I was offered this collection by a dealer who said he knew the collector, but he was asking for silly money.  Some of the ones in these pictures sold for £1400 to £3750 or so, with commission.

Edited February 26, 2020 by CollectorInTheUSA

[Swainys Boy]

I have a few truncheons and tip staves from my late Fathers collection, but one particular one that I am proud to have pick up since his passing is a Christ Church of Surrey tip staff once belonging to Constable H Hunter. It is solid brass and unscrews in three places, it's weight is 333 grams and 8.5" in length. The rest of the collection is found here http://alan.swain.me.uk/truncheons.htm 

[Mike McLellan]

Hi Swainy’s Boy. Thanks for the link. It’s always a treat to look over your, and your dad’s, incredible collection. It’s hard to decide on a favorite among so many beautiful pieces. 
Mike. 

[Brian Wolfe]

Thanks for the post, and to echo Mike's comment, the wonderful link to your collection.

Regards

Brian

 

[ljmmuk]

@CollectorInTheUSA This was my tipstaff & I am sure I posted photos of the inscriptions too.  I thought you might be interested to know that I sold it at auction in April 2014.   I went to a filming of a show on BBC TV in the UK called Flogit where they value your objects & you can then choose to be filmed auctioning your object.   It was sold in Glasgow for £1200 to a telephone bidder so I have no idea where it is in the world today. Here are the photos of the inscription.

[CollectorInTheUSA]

Thank you ljmmuk, very kind of you to post these photos and share the story.  

Edited July 2, 2020 by CollectorInTheUSA

[bob62]

Greetings Gentlemen,

 

As usual I have stumbled across this thread as a very occasional member, though as usual it is great to read some excellent posts and pick up on expert advice and opinion.

What raised a smile and prompted today's response was the post and pic from 'Nightbreak' (as you will see from my pics, it's almost a 'Spot the difference' competition, with positioning etc and not staged!).

A number of these Christ Hospital staffs were produced, and if you visit the Christ Hospital web page you will see the attached photo (open to share) of a number of their staffs or wands that are in their museum!, I have also seen another in the very finest of collections of an acquaintance!.

As for posting a pic of my favourite truncheon, I have been debating this for the past 30 mins and still can't decide!

[Nightbreak]

Some of the staves that I've watched go by at auction or sale the last few years.  None of them ended up in my collection, sadly, despite what I thought were fine attempts at purchase.  Others were just too damaged or unknown to me to take the risk.

 

BurntIsland in Fife - George IV

 

George III Dysart tipstaff - Top was too worn down for me to appreciate the asking price.

 

EHC Treasurer's Staff - William IV.  Very nice condition.  Almost too nice.

 

Southouse and Portington - Unknown monarch.

 

Another William IV Edinburgh High Constable's staff.  Notice the town crest upside down from the Coat of Arms in comparison to the Treasurer's staff.  A somewhat common sight with staves from here and Fife, but I always wonder if that's inaccurate, or if I'm looking at a magistrate's staff instead.

 

William IV EHC "Medical" staff to a surgeon.  Is such a thing even real?  No one would tell me while the auction was on, making bidding a bit fraught.