Beschreibung:

Illuminated address presented to John Chard R.E., V.C. by the "Inhabitants of North Curry, Othery [Somerset] and Neighbourhood, with which you and your family have been and are connected.... expression our heartfelt admiration of your self-devotion, talent and gallantry in the Zulu War, particularly during that trying night at Rorkes Drift... [where] you kept at bay an almost overpowering force of the enemy, and... saved the Colony of Natal from destruction and defended the honour of your Country... Presented the 3rd Day of October 1879", manuscript on vellum, black ink, with heading ("To Major John Rouse Merriott Chard..."), opening sentences and important words ("Rorkes Drift", "Zulu War", "Colony of Natal", "Victoria Cross") illuminated in red, blue, purple and gold inks, the text within border of red and blue, with decoration in each corner of a Zulu shield and spears, and ornament of army pith helmet with crossed Union Jack flags in lower margin, signed by 32 persons (including the Chairman, Rev. Browne), in 5 columns beneath address, mounted on original wooden rollers, within original purple morocco cylinder case, address approximately 530 x 430mm., 1879--[TAUNTON] Manuscript address to John Chard V.C., from "the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Taunton", praising his role at Rorke's Drift, ink on vellum, signed by Meyer Jacobs, Mayor of Taunton, and the town clerk, with the Common Seal of the Borough of Taunton in red wax, old folds, 365 x 285mm., 3 October 1879; together with a decorative illuminated address presented by "The Borough of Langport, Eastover [Somerset], 1st November, 1879", the address framed and glazed, with the original silk-lined presentation case [1879] (3)