British and World Historical Medals

Death of Barber Beaumont, 1841, a silver award medal by G.R. Collis, bust right, rev. façade of the Philosophical Institution building, edge named (The Revd James Sherman, Trustee), 56mm (BHM 2001; Taylor 129a). About extremely fine, toned, a rare and important anti-slavery association item; in contemporary fitted case £200-250

John Thomas Barber Beaumont (1774-1841) was a renowned painter, founder of several insurance companies and benefactor of the Philosophical Institution, a foundation for the mental and moral improvement of the inhabitants of Mile End in East London. The Revd James Sherman (1796-1862) was a Congregationalist who preached at Surrey Chapel in Blackfriars from 1836 to 1854. He was a great supporter of the Missionary movement and, as well as a Trustee of the Philosophical Institution, was a founding Trustee of Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington, a non-denominational garden cemetery. He is perhaps best known however for his stance against slavery and the introduction he wrote to Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin