British Educational Award Medals from the Collection formed by the late T.H. Watts

WARWICKSHIRE, Birmingham, The Free Grammar School, 1836, a white metal medal by C.F. Carter for J. Davis, frontal elevation of the School, rev. student seated at table in library, 51mm, 47.27g (BHM 1710); Royal College, Linnean Medal for Botany, a silver award by E.J. Dubois, bust of Charles Linnæus left, rev. legend in wreath, named (J.M. Bright, Hoc Præmio Donavit G.B. Knowles, F.R.C.S., Prælect. Bot. Coll. Reg. Birm. 1854), 40mm, 37.51g; Severn Street and Priory First Day Adult Schools, Golden Jubilee, 1895, a bronze medal by A. Watson for J. Moore, bust of Joseph Sturge right, rev. teacher with two students, 44mm, 40.11g (BHM 3492; E 1795); City of Birmingham Education Committee, Six Years’ Excellent Attendance, silver awards by Vaughton (2), arms and supporters, revs. legend, both un-named, hallmarked Birmingham 1907, both 44mm, 39.19g, 38.85g [5]. First two very fine, others about extremely fine and better but third with some surface verdigris on obverse; this in a contemporary red fitted case of issue by Elkington £80-100

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, British Educational Award Medals from the Collection formed by the late T.H. Watts.

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King Edward VI Grammar School, New street, took on a new lease of life with a rebuild by Sir Charles Barry which was completed in 1836. A century later the building was demolished and the school removed to Edgbaston. Although the second medal does not relate to Jamaica, Joseph Sturge (1793-1859) spent much time there and published two books about the apprenticeship system, encouraging the early adoption of a full emancipation date. Founder of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, Sturge also helped found the ‘Free Villages’ (Sturge Town taking his name), which provided living quarters for freed slaves