Presented By the Royal Geographical Society
Richard Burton’s Own Solid Gold Founder’s Medal
Unique - And an Extremely Special and Important Item
[Burton, Capt. Sir Richard Francis]. ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. [Founder's Medal. London, presented 23 May 1859]. (THE GOLD MEDAL OF THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY PRESENTED TO BURTON ON HIS RETURN FROM TANGANYIKA.) (: , ) In excellent condition and housed in the original folding box.
A SUPERB AND IMPORTANT BURTON ITEM. The Circular Medal (diameter 2.14 in., 54.mm) designed by William Wyon, struck in gold, 118.44 grams, the obverse displaying the bare head of William IV facing right lettered W Wyon on the bust and Gulielmus iiii D:g: Britanniarum rex mdcccxxx. around and Fundator. Below, the reverse displaying Britannia standing by a sextant and a globe, facing left with a wreath in her right hand outstretched and a map in left lettered Ob terras reclusas. round and W. Wyon. Ara and mint1830[?] below, also lettered Royal Geographical Society of London. in exergue; engraved Capt. Richard F. Burton. 1859. around the edge, pierced at 12:00 probably for suspension. Original(?) maroon leather folding-case, brass clasp, lined with satin and silk. Modern red cloth folding case, black lettering-piece gilt. THE GOLD MEDAL OF THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, PRESENTED TO BURTON ON HIS RETURN FROM TANGANYIKA TWELVE DAYS BEHIND SPEKE.
References: RGS Journal 29 (1859) xcvii; RGS Proceedings 3 (1858-59) 217-19, 348-58. Brodie 177-68. RGS Journal 29 (1859) xcvii; RGS Proceedings 3 (1858-59) 217-19, 348-58. Brodie 177-68. |
