Australian Historical Medals

Lot 374    SESSION 3 (2.30PM TUESDAY 22ND NOV)    Australian Historical Medals

Estimate $400
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $400

AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, Sydney 1879-80, Melbourne 1880-81, in bronze (77mm) by J.S.& A.B.Wyon, inscribed on rev. 'Sir Samuel/Davenport /K.C.M.G.', in case of issue (this with some damage). Some spotting, surface marks, otherwise nearly uncirculated.

Samuel Davenport was born in England on 5 March 1818. He arrived in Australia in 1843 and settled in South Australia at Macclesfield. He was elected to South Australia's first Legislative Council in 1857, serving twice as Commissioner of Public Works. He also represented his state as a commissioner at the London International Exhibition in 1851 and at the following exhibitions - Philadelphia 1876, Sydney 1879, Melbourne 1880, Colonial and Indian Exhibition 1886 and the Melbourne International Exhibition 1888.

Davenport's other public roles included serving as president of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society for seven years, first president of the Chamber of Manufactures for twenty years until 1888 as well as first president of the South Australian branch of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia for ten years until 1894. He was also a director of several public companies. He was knighted in 1884 and in 1886 was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG). He also had several property interests including vineyards and olive groves. Sir Samuel Davenport KCMG died at Beaumont on 3 September 1906 and was buried at Walkerville Cemetery in South Australia. The Davenport Ranges about 760km north of Adelaide and the Hundred of Davenport in the County of Frome were named in his honour as well as the Electoral District of Davenport and he established the Beaumont Common for the local people of the town of Beaumont to be used as a reserve.