TOPIC:

Hi

I thought it may be interesting to look at the manufacture of the QSA, and its cost.

I have attached some articles from newspapers from 1900 to 1902 regarding the production of the QSA by Jenkins & Sons, Birmingham, as well as the cost to produce them, including clasps.

Regards

Adrian

From The Nottingham Evening Post, 14 Nov 1900

Then from the Cheltenham Chronicle, 6 July 1901


Regards

Adrian

Hi

And then from the Gloucester Citizen, 11 July 1902:

" The greater portion of the work of striking South African medals and clasps was carried out by contractors in Birmingham and London. Taking 1900 and 1901 together the number of South African medals struck was 370,000 of which 50,000 were re-struck. Twenty-four kinds of clasps are being issued, and 686,701 have been made. The estimated cost of these medals and clasps up to the end of last year was 21,700 Pounds. "

Interestingly that would give an average cost of about 6p per medal and clasp with an average of 1.85 clasp per medal !

Regards

Adrian

Adrian,

A really interesting thread. Thank you for starting that.

I would not have thought to search for the Transvaal Medal when searching for QSAs in the papers so I will use this in the future.

Best wishes
David

One old soldier's thoughts on the QSA design. I see he wasn't a fan of the CGH GSM!

From The Standard, Saturday, March 24, 1900:

David
I think "old soldier" was referring to the South African medal, 1877-79 rather than the COGHGS. I was rather amused by his reference to "a strong enough medal to stand knocking about"; clearly a jibe at the Abyssinia Medal 1867-68 - every one of which I have recently seen has had a repair to it's suspension. I think his fears were unfounded. The QSA really is a very nice example of the medallist's art.
IL.