Whether you liked Bruce Ruxton or not he would have been well under way in raising the money so that this unique group would have gone to the Australian War Memorial for us all to enjoy. Still I have heard that it may go to another museum within Australia where it will be equally as loved and appreciated. George Ward -----Original Message----- From: Anthony Staunton [mailto:anthony.staunton@pcug.org.au] Sent: Monday, 24 July 2006 6:02 PM To: AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [AUS-MIL] RE: Capt SHOUT's VC & group - auction tonight Peter The family is reputed to want $800,000. Factors for a high price. 1. Gallipoli 2. Last Australian Gallipoli VC in private hands 3. VC MC group is highest for Gallipoli. 4. Widespread publicity 5. May tap a group other than medal collectors (see 2 against) 6. Someone wirh big pockets may walk in off the street (eg Mould GC sale) Factors against 1. Previous highest prices were in London that allowed unrestricted exit. 2. Not being auctioned by a medal specialist My thoughts 1. I will be disappointed if it does not reach $A500,000. 2. I will not be surprised if it sells 2. How much it gets will depend on how many bidders are serious. Shout is a New Zealander so what is wrong with a New Zealander buying the medal and taking it to New Zealand. Anthony Staunton -----Original Message----- From: Peter Thomas [mailto:pmthomas@bigpond.com] Sent: Monday, 24 July 2006 4:23 PM To: List - AUS-AIF; List - AUS-MILITARY; GREATWAR-D-request@rootsweb.com Cc: 'Anthony Staunton' Subject: Capt SHOUT's VC & group - auction tonight G'day, the midday ABC News reported on the auction scheduled for tonight. I made a few notes that might interest Listers: I suppose it is the auctioneer's job to "talk up" the price. He based his estimate of $700,000 ~ $1,000,000 (I presume that he's taking in AUD) on the following factors - This is the last of nine Australian VCs awarded for Gallipoli which is available to private collectors - the other eight are in the Australian War Memorial; Capt SHOUT died of wounds received in the action for which he was awarded the VC; Other medals making up the group of seven awarded to Capt SHOUT include a Military Cross; Boer war pair; and WW1 trio. The medals have remained in the possession of the family until now. Under legislation which protects artefacts making up Australia's cultural heritage, the medals may not be removed from Australia. That does not prevent overseas collector's from buying the group. Peter THOMAS Darwin, AUSTRALIA <pmthomas@bigpond.com> ==== AUS-MILITARY Mailing List ==== AUS-MILITARY is set so that, by default, replies go to the list. Please check your replies before sending, to make sure that is what you know is happening.