A lovely Georgian sentimental rock crystal locket pendant holding a small bundle of hair work and engraved around the edge "Robert Baynes Armstrong. Born April 7th 1784.".
Mr. Robert Baynes Armstrong, Esq. was a British Radical politician with a colorful career. He was educated at Clitheroe Grammar School and afterwards at Sedbergh School. From there he proceeded to St. John's College in Cambridge in 1803, became B.A. in 1807, elected a Fellow of the College on the Lupton Foundation in 1809, was called to the Bar of the Inner Temple, and followed the profession of a barrister with considerable success. In 1836 he became Recorder of Hull, in 1837 Recorder of Leeds, and in 1848 Recorder of Manchester and Bolton. He was a Bencher of the Inner Temple and a Queen's Counsel. In March 1848 he became the Liberal candidate for Parliament at a bye-election for the borough of Lancaster, and was returned by 636 votes to 620 polled by his opponent, the Honourable E. H.Stanley (afterwards Earl of Derby). On the 23rd of March, Mr. Stanley petitioned against Mr. Armstrong's return, but after a scrutiny the election was declared valid. At the General Election in July 1852 he was again returned, and again petitioned against, this time successfully owing to corruption and bribery. He married his cousin Frances Blamire in 1842 and with whom he had no children. Robert Baynes Armstrong died January 15, 1869 and is buried next to his wife in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, England.
This locket measures 20mm in diameter (without the bail). It is fashioned in 9ct yellow gold with rock crystal lenses and weighs approximately 5.2g.
Images of the man himself from the collections of the British Museum and National Portrait Gallery.
* Props used in photos, such as antique boxes, are not included in purchases.
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