25th Apr, 2012 12:00
Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Anzac)
123
[M] THE TITANIC-CARPATHIA MEDALS OF 1912<br/><br/>Even as...
THE TITANIC-CARPATHIA MEDALS OF 1912
Even as R.M.S. Carpathia steamed back to New York after picking up those who had survived the sinking of the Titanic, several prominent First Class passengers - led by the redoubtable Mrs. J. J. "Molly" Brown - formed themselves into the Titanic Survivors' Committee. Apart from its desire to aid those made destitute by the disaster, the Committee also wished to reward Captain Rostron and his officers and crew for their stalwart efforts in saving so many lives. When Carpathia docked in New York on the evening of 18th April, the members of the Committee initially dispersed to their homes and families but soon reconvened to discuss the options for suitably rewarding those to whom they owed their lives. In due course, it was decided that Captain Rostron should be presented with a handsome silver loving cup bearing an appropriate inscription whilst every man aboard Carpathia, including Captain Rostron himself, was to receive a specially commissioned medal in the name of the "Titanic" Survivors' Committee as a tangible gesture of thanks from those who had been saved.
The medal was manufactured by Dieges & Clust of New York but since a number of the extant examples are to be found in Tiffany boxes, it may be assumed that the order was placed through that firm which may also have prepared the designs. There is certainly no record of any reputation for design by Dieges & Clust whereas the great house of Tiffany was eminently well placed for such a prestigious commission. Given the social hierarchy of the time, it was natural that the medal would be struck in three different metals - gold, silver and bronze - but what has vexed researchers ever since, however, is the precise number of each type which were produced. The award ceremony took place on 29th May 1912, the first occasion that Carpathia had returned to New York after resuming her normal schedule, and a contemporary report states that gold medals were presented to Carpathia's Commander (Captain Rostron) as well as to her Purser, Surgeon, Chief Steward, Chief Engineer and Second Engineer. The report then continues, "the junior officers received the medal in silver, while the members of the crew had bronze." The only details of numbers struck quoted in a numismatic work of reference are those given in the current Medal Yearbook (Token Publishing), where it states that the numbers awarded in the various metals were gold (14), silver (110) and bronze (180). Unfortunately, the compiler does not state his source for these figures and, when questioned, did not recall from where they were extracted. Like some other statements therefore, these numbers must also be treated with some scepticism and given the fairly frequent sightings of bronze examples when compared to the far more unusual silver specimens, the suggestion that both types exceed 100 seems highly improbable.
Subject to new evidence being discovered, the conclusion would seem to be that medals in gold are excessively rare, those in silver are undoubtedly very rare - even though the number awarded is more difficult to quantify - and those in bronze are relatively common, with probably well in excess of 250 being struck.
R.M.S. CARPATHIA MEDAL, AWARDED FOR THE RESCUE OF THE SURVIVORS FROM THE TITANIC
in silver, of irregular shape, by Dieges & Clust of New York, obv. Carpathia amongst icebergs and lifeboats within elaborate border of nautical motifs, rev. "Presented to the Captain, Officers & Crew of R.M.S. Carpathia, in recognition of gallant & heroic services from the survivors of the S.S. Titanic, April 15th 1912", with usual integral loop for suspension and small length of original red ribbon for wearing, excellent condition
Even as R.M.S. Carpathia steamed back to New York after picking up those who had survived the sinking of the Titanic, several prominent First Class passengers - led by the redoubtable Mrs. J. J. "Molly" Brown - formed themselves into the Titanic Survivors' Committee. Apart from its desire to aid those made destitute by the disaster, the Committee also wished to reward Captain Rostron and his officers and crew for their stalwart efforts in saving so many lives. When Carpathia docked in New York on the evening of 18th April, the members of the Committee initially dispersed to their homes and families but soon reconvened to discuss the options for suitably rewarding those to whom they owed their lives. In due course, it was decided that Captain Rostron should be presented with a handsome silver loving cup bearing an appropriate inscription whilst every man aboard Carpathia, including Captain Rostron himself, was to receive a specially commissioned medal in the name of the "Titanic" Survivors' Committee as a tangible gesture of thanks from those who had been saved.
The medal was manufactured by Dieges & Clust of New York but since a number of the extant examples are to be found in Tiffany boxes, it may be assumed that the order was placed through that firm which may also have prepared the designs. There is certainly no record of any reputation for design by Dieges & Clust whereas the great house of Tiffany was eminently well placed for such a prestigious commission. Given the social hierarchy of the time, it was natural that the medal would be struck in three different metals - gold, silver and bronze - but what has vexed researchers ever since, however, is the precise number of each type which were produced. The award ceremony took place on 29th May 1912, the first occasion that Carpathia had returned to New York after resuming her normal schedule, and a contemporary report states that gold medals were presented to Carpathia's Commander (Captain Rostron) as well as to her Purser, Surgeon, Chief Steward, Chief Engineer and Second Engineer. The report then continues, "the junior officers received the medal in silver, while the members of the crew had bronze." The only details of numbers struck quoted in a numismatic work of reference are those given in the current Medal Yearbook (Token Publishing), where it states that the numbers awarded in the various metals were gold (14), silver (110) and bronze (180). Unfortunately, the compiler does not state his source for these figures and, when questioned, did not recall from where they were extracted. Like some other statements therefore, these numbers must also be treated with some scepticism and given the fairly frequent sightings of bronze examples when compared to the far more unusual silver specimens, the suggestion that both types exceed 100 seems highly improbable.
Subject to new evidence being discovered, the conclusion would seem to be that medals in gold are excessively rare, those in silver are undoubtedly very rare - even though the number awarded is more difficult to quantify - and those in bronze are relatively common, with probably well in excess of 250 being struck.
R.M.S. CARPATHIA MEDAL, AWARDED FOR THE RESCUE OF THE SURVIVORS FROM THE TITANIC
in silver, of irregular shape, by Dieges & Clust of New York, obv. Carpathia amongst icebergs and lifeboats within elaborate border of nautical motifs, rev. "Presented to the Captain, Officers & Crew of R.M.S. Carpathia, in recognition of gallant & heroic services from the survivors of the S.S. Titanic, April 15th 1912", with usual integral loop for suspension and small length of original red ribbon for wearing, excellent condition
Sold for £8,060
Estimated at £3,000 - £5,000
(inc. buyer's premium of 24%)
Condition Report
Fine condition
We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of this property. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Charles Miller Ltd is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE.
THE TITANIC-CARPATHIA MEDALS OF 1912
Even as R.M.S. Carpathia steamed back to New York after picking up those who had survived the sinking of the Titanic, several prominent First Class passengers - led by the redoubtable Mrs. J. J. "Molly" Brown - formed themselves into the Titanic Survivors' Committee. Apart from its desire to aid those made destitute by the disaster, the Committee also wished to reward Captain Rostron and his officers and crew for their stalwart efforts in saving so many lives. When Carpathia docked in New York on the evening of 18th April, the members of the Committee initially dispersed to their homes and families but soon reconvened to discuss the options for suitably rewarding those to whom they owed their lives. In due course, it was decided that Captain Rostron should be presented with a handsome silver loving cup bearing an appropriate inscription whilst every man aboard Carpathia, including Captain Rostron himself, was to receive a specially commissioned medal in the name of the "Titanic" Survivors' Committee as a tangible gesture of thanks from those who had been saved.
The medal was manufactured by Dieges & Clust of New York but since a number of the extant examples are to be found in Tiffany boxes, it may be assumed that the order was placed through that firm which may also have prepared the designs. There is certainly no record of any reputation for design by Dieges & Clust whereas the great house of Tiffany was eminently well placed for such a prestigious commission. Given the social hierarchy of the time, it was natural that the medal would be struck in three different metals - gold, silver and bronze - but what has vexed researchers ever since, however, is the precise number of each type which were produced. The award ceremony took place on 29th May 1912, the first occasion that Carpathia had returned to New York after resuming her normal schedule, and a contemporary report states that gold medals were presented to Carpathia's Commander (Captain Rostron) as well as to her Purser, Surgeon, Chief Steward, Chief Engineer and Second Engineer. The report then continues, "the junior officers received the medal in silver, while the members of the crew had bronze." The only details of numbers struck quoted in a numismatic work of reference are those given in the current Medal Yearbook (Token Publishing), where it states that the numbers awarded in the various metals were gold (14), silver (110) and bronze (180). Unfortunately, the compiler does not state his source for these figures and, when questioned, did not recall from where they were extracted. Like some other statements therefore, these numbers must also be treated with some scepticism and given the fairly frequent sightings of bronze examples when compared to the far more unusual silver specimens, the suggestion that both types exceed 100 seems highly improbable.
Subject to new evidence being discovered, the conclusion would seem to be that medals in gold are excessively rare, those in silver are undoubtedly very rare - even though the number awarded is more difficult to quantify - and those in bronze are relatively common, with probably well in excess of 250 being struck.
R.M.S. CARPATHIA MEDAL, AWARDED FOR THE RESCUE OF THE SURVIVORS FROM THE TITANIC
in silver, of irregular shape, by Dieges & Clust of New York, obv. Carpathia amongst icebergs and lifeboats within elaborate border of nautical motifs, rev. "Presented to the Captain, Officers & Crew of R.M.S. Carpathia, in recognition of gallant & heroic services from the survivors of the S.S. Titanic, April 15th 1912", with usual integral loop for suspension and small length of original red ribbon for wearing, excellent condition
Even as R.M.S. Carpathia steamed back to New York after picking up those who had survived the sinking of the Titanic, several prominent First Class passengers - led by the redoubtable Mrs. J. J. "Molly" Brown - formed themselves into the Titanic Survivors' Committee. Apart from its desire to aid those made destitute by the disaster, the Committee also wished to reward Captain Rostron and his officers and crew for their stalwart efforts in saving so many lives. When Carpathia docked in New York on the evening of 18th April, the members of the Committee initially dispersed to their homes and families but soon reconvened to discuss the options for suitably rewarding those to whom they owed their lives. In due course, it was decided that Captain Rostron should be presented with a handsome silver loving cup bearing an appropriate inscription whilst every man aboard Carpathia, including Captain Rostron himself, was to receive a specially commissioned medal in the name of the "Titanic" Survivors' Committee as a tangible gesture of thanks from those who had been saved.
The medal was manufactured by Dieges & Clust of New York but since a number of the extant examples are to be found in Tiffany boxes, it may be assumed that the order was placed through that firm which may also have prepared the designs. There is certainly no record of any reputation for design by Dieges & Clust whereas the great house of Tiffany was eminently well placed for such a prestigious commission. Given the social hierarchy of the time, it was natural that the medal would be struck in three different metals - gold, silver and bronze - but what has vexed researchers ever since, however, is the precise number of each type which were produced. The award ceremony took place on 29th May 1912, the first occasion that Carpathia had returned to New York after resuming her normal schedule, and a contemporary report states that gold medals were presented to Carpathia's Commander (Captain Rostron) as well as to her Purser, Surgeon, Chief Steward, Chief Engineer and Second Engineer. The report then continues, "the junior officers received the medal in silver, while the members of the crew had bronze." The only details of numbers struck quoted in a numismatic work of reference are those given in the current Medal Yearbook (Token Publishing), where it states that the numbers awarded in the various metals were gold (14), silver (110) and bronze (180). Unfortunately, the compiler does not state his source for these figures and, when questioned, did not recall from where they were extracted. Like some other statements therefore, these numbers must also be treated with some scepticism and given the fairly frequent sightings of bronze examples when compared to the far more unusual silver specimens, the suggestion that both types exceed 100 seems highly improbable.
Subject to new evidence being discovered, the conclusion would seem to be that medals in gold are excessively rare, those in silver are undoubtedly very rare - even though the number awarded is more difficult to quantify - and those in bronze are relatively common, with probably well in excess of 250 being struck.
R.M.S. CARPATHIA MEDAL, AWARDED FOR THE RESCUE OF THE SURVIVORS FROM THE TITANIC
in silver, of irregular shape, by Dieges & Clust of New York, obv. Carpathia amongst icebergs and lifeboats within elaborate border of nautical motifs, rev. "Presented to the Captain, Officers & Crew of R.M.S. Carpathia, in recognition of gallant & heroic services from the survivors of the S.S. Titanic, April 15th 1912", with usual integral loop for suspension and small length of original red ribbon for wearing, excellent condition
Auction: Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Anzac), 25th Apr, 2012
