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Lot Essay
The present eagle is remarkably similar to the Andrews-Berried Eagle, made in Philadelphia or Savannah, 1784-91 (No. 11), illustrated in Minor Myers Jr. The Insignia of The Society of the Cincinnati, 1989, p. 53. The Andrews-Berrien Eagle is distinguished by the “quilted” feathers found on the neck and tail, the small typeface used for the motto and the abbreviation of societas as “S.TS”. These distinguishing elements can all be found on the present example. Myers notes that in addition to the present eagle, similar examples were owned by Col. Anthony Walton White of the Continental Dragoons, Capt. William North of Massachusetts, Lt. Pierre Douville of Rhode Island and Lt. Col. Hugh Maxwell of Massachusetts.
Founded by officers of the Continental army and navy in 1783, the Society of the Cincinnati endeavored to preserve the friendships formed among members during service and to provide for impoverished families of the war. The Society was named after the Roman liberator Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus and the insignia features the Roman hero on a medallion applied to a gold eagle. While the original badge was designed by Major Pierre L'Enfant, later variations, of both American and French manufacture, have been produced since then. The bronze medal included in this lot was also designed by L’Enfant. The medal was likely not struck until 1914 for the general society meeting in Baltimore.
Founded by officers of the Continental army and navy in 1783, the Society of the Cincinnati endeavored to preserve the friendships formed among members during service and to provide for impoverished families of the war. The Society was named after the Roman liberator Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus and the insignia features the Roman hero on a medallion applied to a gold eagle. While the original badge was designed by Major Pierre L'Enfant, later variations, of both American and French manufacture, have been produced since then. The bronze medal included in this lot was also designed by L’Enfant. The medal was likely not struck until 1914 for the general society meeting in Baltimore.