Historical and Art Medals, Numismatic Books

Canada, The Cathedral of St John’s, Newfoundland, c. 1855, a white metal medal by J. Allen and J. Taylor, clergy attending the laying of the foundation stone, rev. elevation of the cathedral, 53mm. Some minor scuffing and staining on reverse rims, otherwise better than very fine, rare (£40-60)

The Roman Catholic Cathedral of St John’s was the largest building project undertaken in Newfoundland up to the 1840s. The land was acquired in 1838, excavated the following year and the foundation stone laid by Bp Michael Fleming (1792-1850) in May 1841. Fleming devoted the last ten years of his life to the project and ‘every minute of his waking hours [was] possessed by the idea of completing it.’ He celebrated the first mass in the unfinished building during a snowstorm on 6 January 1850 but died six months later. His successor, Bishop John Mullock, consecrated the building in September 1855. Much further detail, including the considerable Irish involvement in the project, is sold with the lot