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Sale 58
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Lot 56
Society of the Cincinnati Eagle Insignia For New York. Gold with colored enamels, 38mm x 29mm. One of ten eagles produced for New York in 1896 by jeweler John R. Gleason, only two of which are known to exist. The eagle is suspended from a cockade ribbon in excellent condition. The presence of the cockade suggests that this eagle once belonged to an officer of the Society, or the General Society.
Obverse: Head left. Medallion with three senators presenting sword to Cinvinnatus, with wife and two children. Motto: OMNIA RELIQUIT SERVARE REMPUBLICAM*. As with other New York badges of the period, eye of eagle has pupil within an outline. Characteristic of this design is the smooth curve which runs from one talon through the bow and through the other. The beak is another smooth curve. Reverse: Cincinnatus in field, with Fame above, sunset, ships, and city behind. Motto: SOCIETAS CINCINNATORUM INSTITUTIA AD 1783*. Myers #46.
The General Society of the Cincinnati was founded in New York in 1783 by Continental Army officers who fought in the American Revolution.Within a year, affiliated Societies were founded in all 13 of the original states and France. George Washington was elected the first President in December 1783 and served until his death in 1799, when he was succeeded by Alexander Hamilton.
The Society was named for Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus, a 5th century B.C. Roman farmer who, like Washington, triumphantly lead his country's troops in battle, then returned home to plow his fields, refusing any honors. The Society's motto is: "He gave up everything to serve the republic." The Society of the Cincinnati is the oldest military hereditary society in the United States. Membership passes through the eldest son of the eldest surviving son successively of an original member. The Society was also the first military beneficial society. At a time when there were no military pensions, officers who were original members of the Society were required to give one month's pay, the interest of which was used for needy officers and their families.
Original Members of the Society of the Cincinnati included General Henry Knox, considered the Society's originator; General Friedrich William von Steuben, the Society's first presiding officer; Alexander Hamilton; General Nathanael Greene; Commodore John Barry; and Captain John Paul Jones. Foreign officers who fought in the American Revolution also became members. They included Generals Lafayette and Rochambeau and Admiral de Grasse from France, and Colonel Thaddeus Kosciuszko from Poland.
Estimated Value $25,000 - 35,000.
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| Realized $32,900 |
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