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Sale 68
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Lot 132
[Society of the Cincinnati] Eagle Insignia. Gold eagle that belonged to Elihu Church (1881-1963), who became a member of the New York chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati in 1912 by right of descent from original member James Stewart, Captain, 5th Regiment, NY Line. Church was the first, and apparently only, hereditary member on this line. He did not inherit membership from his father, so he would have acquired himself any eagle that he owned. He likely first purchased a New York eagle, since this was the society to which he belonged. He served as president of the New York chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati in 1938.
This is a Tiffany eagle, c. 1940s, being a variation on Myers #51 (which is New York, c. 1900, following the basic design of the Rhode Island Tiffany eagle). The gold is probably 14-18 karat gold based. Height: 43.65 mm. Width: 31.79 mm. The eagle is suspended from a pale blue and white cockade ribbon which is attached to a segmented ring which is looped through a small plain ring.
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.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,500.
Estate of Elihu Church.
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