Christ\'s Hospital Nautical School RMS Badge - Silver with wood presentation box
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Christ\'s Hospital Nautical School RMS Badge - Silver with wood presentation box:
$4999.00
Christ\'s Hospital Badge - in wooden presentation box
Nautical School / Royal Mathematical School Badge
An extraordinary rarity in this condition and even more so in what appears to be the original wooden box!
Superbly toned example!
The box/case itself would have to be rare! I believe the box, even though it shows circular lathe-work, is/was at least partially hand-carved, due to tiny inconsistencies in the design elements in places.
For a reference to this interesting British Historical Medal, see Medallic Illustrations of British History # 218 on page 557 of Volume 1
See my notes below regarding the price I am asking for this item and how I acquired it.
An update! : received some response regarding the box wherein it was stated \"the box has no historical connection with CH\"
Though I have much respect for the source of this response/comment, I remain skeptical, in the sense that I see no reason why there could not have been, over hundreds of years of issuing this badge, different attempts at presenting it. This badge did come to me in this box, and there is no question it had been in the box for a very, very long time. The badge is a perfect fit and several would stack nicely into the box, and the box itself would be quite presentable during a ceremony handing out the badges. Additionally, the paper layers remaining, as seen in the photos, would make sense if layered between the stacked badges, to prevent scratching after the manufacturing process.
Canadian buyers, please read instructions below regarding paying tax on purchases !
Christ\'s Hospital , \"the Blue-Coat School\", was a charity school established in 1553 on the site of Grey Friar\'s monastery in London.
In 1672 (according to Medallic Illustrations of British History) or 1673, Charles II founded a Mathematical and Nautical ward in the school.
The boys in the Nautical ward wore this badge, which was sewn onto their uniforms, with the dies for the badge having been engraved by the famous die engraver John Roettier.The badge shows a Bluecoat boy in his costume / uniform, being encouraged by the figure of Arithmetic, holding a tablet with numbers, the figure of Astronomy wearing the petasus, or winged sun-hat of Mercury, and holding a sphere, and the figure of Mathematics, holding a triangle and compasses.
Above, there are 2 genii with a caduceus and trumpet.
And, to the bottom left, there are the ships of England, and a mariners compass.The legend above reads:
AVSPICIO CAROL SECVNDI REGIS 1673
which translates to:
Under the Auspice of Charles II, King 1673These badges, which could probably also be referred to as a medallion or medal, were originally silver, but later were replaced by silver-plated badges, apparently in the latter half of the 18th century
Though I have NOT had this example tested, someone long ago did a test scratch on the reverse (see photos number 10 and 11) and, in my opinion, the results indicate this is the earlier, silver version.81mm , or 3-3/16\" in diameter, approximately 24.7grams, uniface. Holed in 8 areas, for sewing to the uniform: probably as issued.Of note, there is a die-crack on the figure of Astronomy\'s extended arm (the arm holding the sphere).ALL Canadian buyers please note: you MUST pay applicable taxes based upon buyer location! Canadian buyers, if you receive an invoice which does include tax, DO NOT pay, this is the automated invoice and it will not include appropriate taxes! You must wait until invoiced by the seller with an invoice which includes taxes! ALL Canadian buyers, in every province, now have to pay tax when purchasing from a registered dealer!!Condition: see photos! Very little, if any, actual wear to the medal / medallion / badge! The box intact, but the lid just slightly warped, and wood slightly toned, or darkened, in areas. There are paper layers in the top, and in the bottom, of the wooden box. These were removed for some of the photos, and they are quite brittle. Obviously, the box itself, though fully intact and with no damage, is also quite fragile!Notes:
the price? Potential buyer/buyers should be aware that the price for this item is based upon condition and the wooden container. Worn or damaged examples of this badge, and the later issued examples, are available for far less: often for only a few hundred dollars.
The wooden box / case / container: This badge came to me in this circular wooden box, where it had lain, undisturbed, until 7 or 8 years ago, when I purchased it. Who made the box, or when it was made, I cannot answer. I can only speculate when I write that the box made have been made for the actual presenting of the badges? Perhaps the badges came from the manufacturing source in this box and the box was carried during the badge presentation / awarding ? I believe this may be plausible due to the fact that the diameter of the badge is perfect for the box, but it would seem that as many as 10 badges might actually fit into the box if stacked? Perhaps this particular example was never presented, and simply stored in the box, and this might account for the extraordinary condition of the badge and for the actual survival to this day of the box itself?SHIPPING ! : shipped at no cost to buyer. Buyer IS responsible for all duties and taxes! Will be shipped from Canada with a tracking number, insurance, and a signature required. This process can be slow, so expected delivery time may be up to 2 weeks!
ALL Canadian buyers MUST pay applicable taxes based upon buyer location! Canadian buyers, PLEASE do not pay until invoiced by seller as the automated invoice will not include appropriate taxes! ALL Canadian buyers, in every province, now have to pay tax when purchasing from a registered dealer!!
Christ\'s Hospital Nautical School RMS Badge - Silver with wood presentation box:
$4999.00