Auction Catalogue

17 December 2007

Starting at 1:30 PM

.

Historical and Art Medals, Numismatic Books

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

Lot

№ 1448

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17 December 2007

Hammer Price:
£410

United States of America, Tribute to John Brown, c. 1860, a bronze medal by J. Würden, bust three-quarters right, rev. legend in 11 lines, 58mm (cf. J.J. Ford IX, 78-81). Minor graze in obverse field, otherwise extremely fine and very rare; in original red fitted case (£300-400)

Plate 5. John Brown (1800-59), activist for the abolition of slavery, was born in Torrington, Connecticut. At various times a farmer, wool merchant, tanner and land speculator, he fathered 20 children. Most famously, he planned a war in Virginia against slavery and raided the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry on 16 October 1859. Wounded and quickly captured by marines, he was tried at Charlestown, convicted of treason and hanged on 2 December 1859