Auction Catalogue

30 June 2004

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Important British and World Coins, Tokens, Historial and Art Medals, Numismatic Books and Banknotes

Grand Connaught Rooms  61 - 65 Great Queen St  London  WC2B 5DA

Lot

№ 1541

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30 June 2004

Hammer Price:
£50

France, Michel de l’Épee, 1801, a bronze medal by B. Duvivier, bust left, rev. legend in 8 lines, 42mm (BDM I, 686); Switzerland, Death of Max Alphons Pfyffer von Altishofen, 1890, a bronze medal by F. Homberg, bust facing, rev. Helvetia laying wreath on tomb, 70mm (Martin 94; cf. BDW 7, 903); other copper medals (3), by Cerbara, Dassier, etc [5]. Generally very fine (£40-60)

Abbé Charles Michel de l'Épee (1712-89), inventor of the first formalized sign language for deaf people. In 1754 he established the first public school for the deaf in France, the Institution Nationale des sourds-muets de Paris, the teachings at which subsequently influenced the development of other European sign languages.

Max Alphons Pfyffer von Altishofen (1834-90), from Lucerne, soldier, appointed brigadier in 1875 and chief of the general staff in 1885