Adam's AT HOME AUCTION February 23rd 2020

43 121 PROPERTY OF SIR ROBERT HAGAN - FREER OF SLAVES A COLLECTION OF GEORGE III SILVER FLATWARE EACH ENGRAVED WITH A DEPICITION THE BOUND SLAVE, London c.1818, with maker’s mark of William Eley & William Fearn and Richard Poulden (respectively), comprising: - 7 table forks- 7 dessert forks- 4 table spoons- 6 dessert spoons- 3 teaspoons- 3 egg spoons - one mustard spoon- one sauce ladle- sugar nips(c.73 troy ozs in all); together with six silver plated table forks of similar design and the same engraved crest; and a silver plated domed meat dish cover engraved with the same crest and motto ‘VOTA VITA MEA’ € 1,000 - 1,500 Sir Robert Hagan was born in Magherafelt, Co. Derry in 1794. He was an officer in the British Royal Navy, first serving under Captain George Collier on the HMS Surveillante from 1807 until joining the crew of HMS Porcu- pine in 1813. Years in the Navy brought Hagan all over the world including Brazil and Africa. While working on the coast of Africa Hagan commanded the Prince Charlotte and Prince Regent Colonial Vessels. Hagan was opposed to the slave trade and gained recognition and status by capturing piratical vessels that were superior to him in force. He was thought to have captured up to 40 sail of vessels, and rescued 4,000 people from bondage. His accomplishments did not go unnoticed. As well as moving up in rank within the Navy, the members of Coun- cil and foreign Judges at Sierra Leone presented him with a letter of thanks and a piece of silver as a mark of their esteem. The mercantile community presenting him with a similar address and a sword valued at 100 guineas. Furthermore, in 1835 he was awarded a knighthood. Hagan became member of the Society for the Extinction of the Slave Trade and for the Civilisation of Africa from 1839.