Object Number 2017.0043.019

Object Name

Medal (Award or premium)

Category

Metals

Credit Line/Donor

American Textile History Museum Collection, gift of M. Alice C. Halsema

Creator (Role)

Christian Gobrecht (Engraver)
1785-1844

United States Mint (Maker)
1792
The Mint was established by the U.S. Congress in 1792 with The Coinage Act. David Rittenhouse was appointed the first director by President George Washington and the Mint was erected in Philadelphia.

Place of Origin

Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America

Date

1849

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Inscription; Obverse, legend; "FRANKLIN INSTITUTE OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA" and "1824" in low relief
2. Inscription; Reverse; "Henry H. Stevens / Webster, Mass. / For / Imitation Barnsley Linen / 1849" engraved
3. Inscription; Reverse, legend; "AWARDED TO / SECOND PREMIUM" in low relief

Materials

Bronze

Techniques

Struck

Dimensions (inches)

0.1875 (H) , 2 (Diam)

Dimensions (centimeters)

0.476 (H) , 5.08 (Diam)

Object Description

Web - 12/06/2017

This die-struck bronze medal was engraved as a second premium award to textile manufacturer Henry Hale Stevens of the Stevens Linen Works in Webster, Massachusetts in 1849. Stevens, son of a prominent Massachusetts flannel manufacturer, had converted a wool factory into a linen mill in 1846 and his entry of imitation Barnsley [British] linen garnered notice in Philadelphia's Franklin Institute annual exhibition. When this medal entered a museum collection, it was accompanied by a letter dated 1909 indicating that it had never been delivered. The letter noted that it had been in safe keeping at the Franklin Institute, but at that time would be delivered to Steven's son, Eben S. Smith.
(See Notes.)

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Julian, R. W. 1977 Medals of the United States Mint The First Century 1792-1892. 430.
• Similar published: p. 287-8.