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Date	Original Topic
31st March 2001	cast copy By richard is it true that stanly baker acquired chards medel that was offerd for sale at a london auction house in 1972 and he paid �2,700 for and it was a "cast copy"and on bakers death the copy changed hands three times and is now owned by a purchaser who cannot be identified
Date	Replies
31st March 2001	Richard Arman Richard, It is true that a VC (listed in the auction as a 'cast copy'), and South Africa Medal 1877-79 belonging to J.R.M. Chard VC, were purchased by the late Stanley Baker, who played Chard in the movie, Zulu, at the Glendinning's auction of 17 May 1972 for the sum of �2,700. At the time of purchase, it was accepted by the auction house and buyer that the Cross was a fairly common copy. Sold at the auction by members of the Chard family, the pair have since remained together, appearing at auction again in the mid-1970s when they were purchased by an overseas collector, who in due course sold them to a fellow collector (the present owner). The present owner, aware of the scientific techniques used at the Royal Armouries to analyse the metal used and so determine whether his Cross was consistent with that used in the manufacture of other VCs of the same period, submitted it for analysis in 1985. The following result was reported : "An initial examination of the medal did not reveal any doubtful characteristics compared with other early VCs examined at the Royal Armouries. The form of the engraving and the general appearance and condition of the medal was entirely consistent with other early Victoria Crosses." At the time of the report, there were still further tests to be made on other facets of the 'Chard' VC. Hope this helps, Richard
3rd April 2001	Martin Everett I have an opportunity of handling both the Chard and Bromhead VCs (one of the only one or two in the world!!!). What is interesting is the naming on both is consistent. With the other tests, the assessment made of the Chard VC in the early 1960s would appear to have been a hasty one.