*The C.B., Castner Medal and Associated Scientific Prizes awarded to the Polymath, Chemist and Engineer Duncan S. Davies, who won the prestigious Castner Medal in 1967 for his research into fibre-reactive dyes, polymers and coatings at Imperial Chemical Industries (I.C.I.), comprising: The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Civil Division, Companion’s (C.B.) neck badge, in silver gilt, in fitted case of issue by Collingwood; The Castner Medal (or The Castner Gold Medal on Industrial Electrochemistry), in gold, 98.96g, 51mm width, reverse engraved ‘Duncan S. Davies 1967’, bearing 9 carat gold hallmarks upon its edge, in royal mint case of issue; The Castner Medal, in bronze, reverse unnamed, 51mm width, unmarked, in fitted case of issue (this likely an official duplicate); Technion Jubilee Israel Institute of Technology 1924-1974 Medal, in gilt-bronze, 58.5mm width, edge numbered ‘0525’, in fitted case of issue; Centennial Key to the National Headquarters of the American Chemical Society, Washington D.C., in gilt-metal, 155mm length x 49mm width; Offered with 5 other sporting prizes and medals, possibly related; a visitor’s book for ‘Holt House’ in 1963 and onwards; a Presentation plaque given to the recipient for a lecture given at University College London; a quantity of pocket diaries and a phot album; all held within a vintage green briefcase; main awards good very fine (lot). C.B.: London Gazette: 11 June 1982 – ‘lately Chief Engineer and Scientist, Department of Industry.’ Duncan Sheppey Davies (1921-1987) was born in Liverpool on 20 April, 1921. He read Chemistry at Oxford University, Receiving his B.Sc. in 1943 and his Ph.D. in 1945, before gaining his M.A. from Trinity College Cambridge in 1947. During this time, in 1945, he began working for Britain’s largest chemical firm – Imperial Chemical Industries (I.C.I.). Working in the Research Department of the Dyestuffs Division, he remained with this firm for a total of 35 years, focussing largely upon the design & innovation in chemical and polymer industries. This included the first manufacture of polymer-reactive dyes, for which he would be awarded the Castner Medal in 1967. Awarded to authorities in the field of Industrial Electrochemistry, just 23 academics and industrialists have received the Castner medal to date. Another major innovation from his time at I.C.I. was his role in the creation of the Petrochemicals and Polymers Laboratory, of which he was the first Director. In 1982 he became Director and then Chairman of British Ceramics Research Ltd., and he served on a great many National and International Scientific Advisory Boards. He received honorary doctorates from the University of Stirling (1975) and University of Surrey (1980), and an honorary doctor of science from Bath University (1981) and Haifa University (1982), and was elected a foreign associate of the National Academy of Engineering in 1978. He died in 1987.
Estimate: £1400-£1800