The 1805 Dispatches #25.06 December 2025 9 of 10 On the same day, the globally famous auctioneers SPINK will offer for sale the collection of medals, militaria, and documents related to Nelson's Navy that was assembled by our late member RANDY MAFIT, creator and original editor of The Kedge Anchor. The sale commences at 10:00 UK time. Online bids may be placed through this link: https://live.spink.com/auctions/4IOU2WO/25003-orders-decorations-andmedals Lots 70-174 comprise the late Randy Mafit’s collection of Militaria and Documents, including some Swords and Paintings. The estimates for these items range from well below £100 to over £3,000. The sale brochure supplied by Spink incudes the following vignette about Randy, written by his sister, Rebecca Haggerson: “Randy was an old soul. He was an American with a passion for all things British. His love for England began as a college student in 1968, when he traveled to London to live and study. His true passion was for books, and he pursued an education and career in library sciences, spending his free time reading, researching and acquiring antiquarian volumes. Randy came from a long line of US Navy men, including his father and several uncles. His mother was also in the Navy during WWII. Randy himself served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War and I'm sure his service and his family history kindled his love of ships, battles, and military history. While traveling to foreign locations, both as a student and in the service, he loved to search for and acquire unusual items. Eventually, Randy figured out how to combine his love of books with his love for British naval history and became particularly enamoured with Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson and his heroic service in the Royal Navy. Randy began collecting Nelson memorabilia and associated items and spent over forty years seeking out and acquiring all manners of historical artefacts. His love for the hunt equalled his reverence for the items! The better part of the journey was the making of new friends with common interests; he loved to participate in The 1805 Club, writing quarterly updates and traveling to historic locations with the people who shared his passion. Randy was a generous man. He was always willing to recommend a good read, a great trip, a renowned restaurant, and a worthy museum. He told fascinating stories, had a contagious sense of humour, and lived a very interesting life. He will be missed, by both family and friends, but hopefully his treasures will continue to spark joy and interest in those who appreciate them.” SALE OF RANDY MAFIT’S TREASURES ALNS AWARDS Thursday 27 November sees two completely separate events that include The 1805 Club: the annual Awards Evening at Admiral Lord Nelson School, Portsmouth, and the sale by auction at Spink ("Where History Is Valued") of the collection of medals, militaria, and documents related to Nelson's Navy that was assembled by our late member and The Kedge Anchor editor RANDY MAFIT. R Burdett Mafit (1946-2025) The 1805 Club is glad to have been connected with ADMIRAL LORD NELSON SCHOOL (ALNS) since the school's establishment in 1995. Located in Portsmouth, UK, ALNS is a secondary school with approximately 1,000 pupils aged 11-16, and has consistently been rated 'good' by OFSTED. Each year The 1805 Club presents a trophy to a student selected by the school's leaders. The trophy's title is 'The 1805 Club Special Award for Personal Endeavour in Overcoming Adversity' -- a quality that was characteristic of Horatio Nelson at every stage of his life. This year's award goes to POPPY PARSONS and will be presented on the Club's behalf by our Webmistress Josephine Birtwhistle at the school's Awards Evening on Thursday 27 November 2025. Poppy's full citation from the school leaders will appear in the next edition of The Kedge Anchor.
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