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>

Hi All: Re sale of medals, we had a controversy in New Zealand in April when Charles Upham's three daughters wanted to sell to a British collector (or get money for) his VC and bar, at present on loan to the NZ Army Museum, Waiouru. I think that $3 million was mentioned. Charles Upham himself had refused an offer of £10,000 when he came back from the war to buy a farm. I think the medals are still there, and there is a similar provision in New Zealand law (the Antiquities Act) against taking them out of the country. And in June there was a proposal to make a film of his life, with a movie company having an agreement with the Upham family, and with the son of the author of "Mark of the Lion" about Charles Upham. http://subs.nzherald.co.nz/author/story.cfm?a_id=74&ObjectID=10387949 http://subs.nzherald.co.nz/author/story.cfm?a_id=176&ObjectID=10378552 http://www.penguin.co.nz/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780143018643,00.html Yours, John Wilson PS: Alfred Shout VC was born in Wellington, NZ.

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>