1835 Boston School Medal by Wright & Bale NY

DCW

Here is a fairly new acquisition and one that appeals to me on many levels.
(1835) Boston School Medal by Wright & Bale, NY

The obverse die is the work of the esteemed diesinking duo , Wright and Bale, who had succeeded the business of Richard Trested in NY in 1829. A "W" below the bust of Franklin is the signature of Charles Cushing Wright. By the time this medal was awarded in 1835 to "J. McIntire," the firm had been dissolved and Bale started over with a new partner, FB Smith.
The reverse work was by a little known diesinker known by the name "Stimpson."
These medals were awarded for academic excellence from monies bequeathed to the City of Boston by Franklin himself. Considered to be very rare.

Namvet69

Philanthropy is a beautiful thing. Nice medal. Peace Roy

Zoins

Very cool medal and background @DCW!

Is there any additional information on the full names of the people involved?

• Wright
• Bale
• J. McIntire
• FB Smith
• Stimpson

Zoins

Might be interesting to put together a list of annual awards for these.

• 1833 G. H. A. Dall
• 1835 J. McIntire
• 1836 E. C. Crosby
• 1840 E. C. Prescott
• 1843 F. A. Tilton

John Kraljevich's description of the 1936 piece indicates the following on George Stimpson:

The reverse is signed STIMPSON for George Stimpson, a little-known Boston die sinker of the early 19th century. Interestingly, he had sons named Washington and Jefferson, but none were named Franklin. (He also had another son George and a daughter named Martha.)

ricko

What a treasure.... I would assume that if any others have survived, they are in tightly held family collections. Or socked away in an attic trunk... Cheers, RickO

jonathanb

There are actually quite a few Boston School medals that have survived. These are cataloged in The Medals of Franklin by Phil W. Greenslet and also catalogued earlier at different times by Fuld and Sallay. I think this one is GM-354 (Full FR.M.BO.4, Sallay F-5), which Greenslet lists as R-6 (16-30) known. I'd sooner call it R-5.

Greenslet lists 14 different varieties of the Boston School medals. The later Boston School medals, some of which were struck at the US Mint (SC-11) are more common than this one.

jonathanb

Here are half of the listed types. If you're interested in this subject, you should grab yourself a copy of the Greenslet book for more info.

GM-352:

GM-354:

GM-356:

GM-357:

GM-359:

GM-360:

GM-361:

thisistheshow

Great thread and history. Thank you all.

DCW

@jonathanb Thanks for posting those examples. These little pieces of history are fun to look at. Just imagine the pride it brought students in receiving one back in those days

DCW

C.C. Wright surely had a big influence on my favorite of medalists, Joseph Merriam.
Wright:

Merriam:

Icollecteverything

Good stuff.

CaptHenway

Great pieces! Great thread!

Kudbegud

Such a rich history is hard to beat. Thanks for posting these.