^Lot 1715 Molded copper ingot marked with V&S for maker Vivian & Son, 7.19 kg, ex-Benamain (1890).

Molded copper ingot marked with V&S for maker Vivian & Son, 7.19 kg, ex-Benamain (1890). The steamship S.S. Benamain was en route from Swansea to Treport, France, when it struck rocks near Oxwich Bay, Gower, on March 29, 1890. No lives were lost in the sinking. The manufacturer of this recovered ingot, Vivian & Sons, was Swansea's largest smelting firm. This purposely formed ingot with pointed-rectangular top and cylindrical cross-holes in the bottom, marked on the bottom with incuse "V&S" (Vivian and Son) above "A" (unknown), is solid and essentially as made, with much copper red color throughout and only a spot of light encrustation on the top, rare provenance. From the Benamain (1890), with original certificate from the salvor.