George Lippard (1822-1854) founded a fraternal organization, the Brotherhood of the Union c. 1847. It was a secret labor and socialist organization that hoped to overthrow the capitalist system in America. Later (c. 1890) the organization was called the Brotherhood of America and turned into a social and mutual aid society. The Brotherhood of America dissolved in 1995., All ten medals read “Truth, Hope, Love” and have a scene depicting men on a ship across the top. Each medal has a different metal ornament hanging from the top piece (see descriptions below). All have a blue ribbon with “Brotherhood of America” in metal at the bottom of the ribbon. The medallion depicts an “H.F.” on an altar with a torch surrounded by stars. “H.F.” stands for “The Hope of the Future.” It can also stand for: Holy Flame, Holy Fruit, Holy Faith, Holy Freedom, Hope Fulfilled, Holy Fraternity, Human Family. See the B.C.G.[79190.O] for more information., 876 a.: Chief Washington: A cross in a circle hangs from the top piece. 876 b: PCW: Liberty Bell hangs from the top piece. 876 c: Watcher of the Night: A sword hangs from the top piece. 876 d: Treasurer: A key hangs from the top piece. 876 e: Jefferson: 2 crisscrossing torches hang from the top piece. 876 f: Watcher of the Day: 2 crisscrossing swords hang from the top piece. 876 g: Honorable Scroll Keeper: A scroll with “H.F.” hangs from the top piece. 876 h: Herald: 2 crisscrossing horns or trumpets hang from the top piece. 876 i: Franklin: 2 crisscrossing fasces hang from the top piece. 876 j: Register: An open book with “H.F.” hangs from the top piece., All medals except 876j are pinned to a Whitehead and Hoag Co. cardboard advertisement., Gift of the Brotherhood of America, 1994.
Die of a Benjamin Rush commemorative medal. This die is the Reverse side of the medal. (Obverse is OBJ 249.), Inscribed: “Sydenham, Read Think Observe MDCCCVIII.” Sydenham was Rush's country home. Depicts a flowing river. In the background is a setting sun with clouds and mountains; there are large trees in the foreground. In front a block of stone with " Read, Think, Observe" and upon this an open book. Beneath, to the right, M. Furst Fec., Bequest of Dr. James Rush, 1869.
Inscription on the front reads, “Benjamin Franklin Printer Philosopher Scientist Statesman Diplomat.” The back reads, “Struck by an Act of Congress of the United States History Literature Science Philosophy To Commemorate Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of Benjamin Franklin MCMVI.” A profile of Franklin’s head appears on the medal with the dates, “1706-1790.”, Gift of the American Philosophical Society.
Inscription reads, “The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company 1827-1927; Peter Cooper’s Tom Thumb.”, A card accompanying the medal reads, “This medal is issued on the one hundredth birthday of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company to commemorate not merely the important milestone in its own history but the rounding out of a century of a definite American Railroad achievement. The Baltimore and Ohio was the first American railroad to operate its line for the public handling of passengers and freight. This was early in 1830. In all the one hundred years of its life it has changed neither its corporate name, its charter nor its fundamental organization. The obverse of the medal depicts one of the most modern trains of the Baltimore and Ohio—The Capital Limited or The National Limited—drawn by one of the largest and most modern passenger locomotives built. The spirit of Transportation guides the locomotive on its onward flight. The reverse shows the Tom Thumb, designed by Alderman Peter Cooper of New York and the first steam locomotive to be built in the United States even though it was never put into practical service. Mr. Hans Schuler, director of the Maryland Institute in Baltimore, is the sculptor who designed the medal and it was reproduced direct from his models by the Medallic Art Company of New York City.”, Gift of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, 1927.
Inscription reads, “In Commemoration of the Hundredth Anniversary of American Independence Act of Congress 1874.”, The obverse depicts the "Genius of American Independence" with a sword in her right hand while her left hand is raised to thirteen stars representing the orginal thirteen colonies. On the reverse is the "Genius of Liberty" bestowing laurel wreaths to the “arts” and “sciences.”, Gift of F. Lynwood Garrison, Esq.
Die of a Benjamin Rush commemorative medal. This die is the Obverse of the medal. (Reverse is OBJ 248)., Inscribed: "Benjamin Rush M.D. of Philadelphia.", Bequest of Dr. James Rush.
Copper medallion set in an oval wood frame. Profile bust of Clay facing left, with a laurel wreath border. Nothing on the reverse., "T.D. Jones, Del., C.C. Wright, fecit."
Political campaign medal promoting William Henry Harrison for president., Inscribed, “Maj. Gen. W.H. Harrison.” The reverse reads, “The People’s Choice, the Hero of Tippecanoe.”
Obverse: Profile of William Penn with Legend that reads, “William Penn. B. 1644 D. 1718. L.P.” (Lewis Pingo). Reverse: Penn shaking hands with a Native American who has a bow in his left hand. Legend reads, “By Deeds of Peace. Pennsylvania Settled 1681.” John Fothergill (1712-1780) was a Quaker and a friend of Peter Collinson and John Bartram. Collinson introduced Fothergill to Benjamin Franklin. When Franklin became ill after his arrival in London in 1757, he became Fothergill’s patient. They remained close friends. William Logan (1718-1776) was the son of James Logan., LCP Minutes, Vol. 2, p. 121: At a meeting of the Directors held September 12th 1775. Mr. William Logan having in the Name and by the Direction of Doctor Fothergill presented the Library with a silver Medal representing on the Face a striking Likeness of William Penn the worthy Founder of this Province Legend “William Penn. B 1644. D. 1718” and on the Reverse William Penn shaking hands with an Indian Legend “By Deeds of Peace Pennsylvania settled 1681.” The Board request Mr. Logan will be pleased to communicate their Thanks to the Doctor for his truly valuable present—Ordered that the Secretary furnish Mr. Logan with a Copy of the aforegoing Minute.”, Gift of John Fothergill, 1775.
Commemorates the prisoner-of-war camp for German soldiers on the Isle of Man during World War I., Obverse shows a view of the prison camp with tents and huts, castle and lighthouse in background, within a wreath of barbed wire. Inscription on the reverse reads: Weltkrieg 1914-1916 Erinnerung an die Kriegshaft Douglas Isle of Man.
Medal of William Penn with "1683-1908, Founders Week." Attached to a blue and yellow ribbon which reads, "City Council." Engraved, George Morris Abbott on the reverse.
Small medal from the 1876 Centennial Exhibition. Obverse inscribed, "Memorial medal, 1776" with image of Independence Hall; reverse inscribed, "Struck Within the International Exhibition 1876.", Gift of Raymond Holstein, 2011.
Reads, "Libertas Americana" and "4 Juil 1776." Translation: "American Liberty—4th of July, 1776." Depicts Liberty with her cap and pole. Reverse reads, "Non Sine Diis animosus infans" "17 19 Oct. 1777-1781." Translation: "The fearless child was not without the help of gods." (Verse from the Odes of Horace; Book III, Ode IV, 20.) Depicts Minerva, with a spear and shield, protecting an infant Hercules from a lion. Hercules is strangling two serpents., Gift of Benjamin Franklin., Exhibited in, Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World (2005-2007).
Profile of Franklin holding bifocals in his hand. Back states, “Commemorating the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s Invention of the Bifocal Lens in 1784.”, Gift of Donald Oresman, 2000.
Political campaign medal promoting William Henry Harrison for president and John Tyler for vice president., Obv.: military bust of Harrison with the inscription: “Maj. Gen. W.H. Harrison 1841.” On the reverse side an eagle is depicted with the inscription, “Go it Tip Come it Tyler.” There is a small hole at the top of the medal.
Reads: “Presented by the American Association of Book Sellers to Hopkins and Seymour for the Second best Specimen of Printing 1804.” Verso reads, “Charles 5th, 3. vol.”, From 1802-1804 the first American book fairs were held semi-annually in New York and Philadelphia to encourage cooperation among publishers. The fairs marked the birth of the American publishing industry. In 1804, the gold medal went to Rober Carr of Philadelphia for a bible. This silver medal was awarded to a new edition of William Robertson's classic History of the Reign of the Emperor Charles V (New York: Hopkins and Seymour, 1804)., Purchase of the Library Company with the help of Joesph Felcone, 1997.
Medal commemorating Walt Whitman's centenary year made by the Franklin Inn Club., Portrait of Whitman with the inscription, "Walt Whitman 1819-1919, The Franklin Inn Club.”, Gift of Dr. Horace Howard Furness, 1919.
Reads, "Virtutis Et Audaclae Monum. Et Praemium" and "D. De Fleury Equitt Gallo Primo Super Muros Resp. Americ D.D." Translation: "A memorial and reward for bravery and boldness—The American Republic presented this award to M. de Fleury, a French officer, who as the first scaled the walls." Mars is depicted on the ruin of the fort treading on the British flag with his sword raised. Reverse reads, "Aggeres Paludes Hostes Victi” “STONY PT EXPUGN xv Jul MDCCLXXIX." Translation: "Fortifications, marshes, and the enemy overcome—Stony Point taken by assault, July 15th, 1779." Depicts the fort of Stony Point and the enemy’s vessels on the river below it., On July 26, 1779, Congress decided to reward Lieutenant Colonel Fleury for bravery in the attack of the fort at Stony Point. Benjamin Franklin, in Paris, employed Benjamin Duvivier, Chief Engraver at the Paris Mint, to create the medal. This medal is the first ever struck by a Resolution of Congress., Gift of Benjamin Franklin., Exhibited in, Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World (2005-2007).
