Alderfer Auction to Sell Seaman-Gunner Neils Lykke Spanish-American War Medal Group

Hatfield, PA – Alderfer Auction is slated to sell Seaman-Gunner Neils Lykke Spanish-American War Medal Group at its Fine & Decorative Arts Auction December 7th, 2017.

Alderfer Auction reserved significant Historical items for its December Fine & Decorative Arts Auction. It features an historically significant Spanish-American War U.S. Navy medal grouping of Seaman-Gunner Neils H. Lykke who served aboard the U.S. Navy Gunboat USS Gloucester during the Battle of Santiago de Cuba on July 3, 1898. This important grouping includes: 1.) U.S. Navy Sampson medal with “USS Gloucester” bar which is named on edge “NEIL H. LYKKE, SEA.GR.”. 2.) U.S. Naval Campaign – West Indies Special Meritorious Cross. Medal presents engraved reverse “NEIL H. LYKKE-SEAMAN GUNNER—RESCUING CREWS FROM AND IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO BURNING SHIPS AFTER THE BATTLE OFF SANTIAGO CUBA JULY 3RD 1898”. 3) U.S Navy Good Conduct medal engraved on reverse “C.S.C. No 10366 NEILS H. LYKKE, U.S.S. NEW YORK, JULY 6, 1896”. 4.) Rare privately struck USS Gloucester silver medal engraved on reverse “NEIL H. LYKKE-SEA GUNNER”. This medal was struck by millionaire J.P. Morgan to be presented to the crew of the navy gunboat USS Gloucester which began life as Morgan’s yacht the SS Corsair II. Morgan sold the yacht to the U.S. Navy in 1898 when the Navy needed vessels and it was refitted as a gunboat. The central part of the lower portion of this medal is a Spanish 5 Pesetas coin taken from a silver horde from one of the Spanish ships sunk during the battle. 5.) United Spanish War Veteran Member Medal (type 1). 6.) United Spanish War Veteran Member Medal (type 3). 7.) Leather bound booklet containing vellum pages (Continuous Service Certificate, Certificate of Seaman Gunner and others) detailing Lykke’s naval service from 1889 through 1896.

This historical medal grouping, as well as, several other United States medals and groupings representing bravery and service, will be offered in the Alderfer Auction Fine & Decorative Arts Auction on Thursday, December 7th, 2017 at 12:00 Noon. This Auction boasts fine Historical Items, Jewelry, Silver, Decorative Accessories, Period Furniture and Art.

For more information and catalog visit www.AlderferAuction.com or call 215-393-3000.