Baltimore Female College Medals
The Baltimore Female College opened it's doors in 1849, having
been chartered by the State of Maryland in 1848. Originally a Methodist
Episcopal Institution, and the pioneer institute in the State for the
higher education of women, it became non-denominational in 1868 by an act
of the legislature. The school began on property on Paul Street moving
to new buildings on Park Place in 1874. Its curriculum was Liberal Arts
but the primary mission was training teachers. Dr. Nathan Covington
Brooks presided as its President from it's opening until 1890 when it
was forced to close due to the withdrawal of the grant from the State of
Maryland.
There are three varieties of medals. The larger Premium Medal appears
to have been given to graduates and others the college chose to honor.
The smaller Undergraduate Medal was given for excellence in various
areas of study. Robert Lovett Jr. engraved the dies and probably struck
the medals until the mint took over production in 1865. Although Julian
states that the Premium Medals were only struck in silver he must have
been referring to those struck by the mint and not earlier by Robert
Jr..
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Baltimore Female College Premium Medal
Awarded to Edward Everett, June 24, 1859
Julian SC-5 with modified reverse, silver, 50.69 mm
From "Godey's Lady's Book", Vol. 60, 1860
If Julian is correct in his statement that the mint struck these
beginning in 1865 this piece dated 1859 may have been struck by Robert
Jr. himself. Notice the reverse does not have the normal inscription but
a hand engraved inscription, including the scroll.
Edward Everett was a lifelong politician beginning with his election to
the House of Representatives in 1824 and ending with his 1860 Vice
Presidential candidacy with John Bell. He served as Governor of
Massachusetts from 1835 to 1839 then served as minister to great Britain
under President Harrison. He was Secretary of State during the last 4
months of Millard Fillmore's administation and then served 15 months in
the Senate, resigning because of public outcry over his failure to vote
against the Kansas-Nebraska Bill.
A
staunch defender of the Union during the Civil War one of his most
admired speeches was the address he gave at the dedication of the
Gettysburg Cemetery; unfortunately it has been mostly forgotten because
of president Lincoln's now famous Gettysburg Address.
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Edward Everett's address to the 1831 Annual Fair of
The American Institute
Julian SC-5, silver, 50.6mm
Awarded to Adelaidae E Simmont
Awarded to Adelaidae E Simmont
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Julian SC-5, bronze, 50 mm
Awarded to George P. Morris
Julian SC-5, bronze, 50 mm
(image compliments of a Virginia collector)
From "The Thirtieth Annual Catalogue of The Baltimore Female College, Academical Year ending May 1st, 1877"
Baltimore Female College Brooks Medal
Julian SC-6, silver, 34mm |
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Julian SC-6, bronze, 32.6mm
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The note in "Medals of the United States Mint" says that only a few of the bronze examples were struck in 1868. As is the case with the other varieties were more struck outside the mint? |
Baltimore Female College Undergraduate Award Medal
Julian SC-7, silver, 32.6mm
Awarded to "Laura C. Robinson, Greek Literature
June 26 1857"
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Julian SC-7, silver with added clasp, 34mm
Awarded to "Miss L. Langsdale"
Do we assume Miss Langsdale actually wore this pin?
Julian SC-7 ( unlisted in bronze), bronze, 34mm
From "The Thirtieth Annual Catalogue of The Baltimore Female
College, Academical Year ending May 1st, 1877"
Envelope with embossed cameo on back flap