Miscellaneous

Princeton University Sesquicentennial Medal

Æ Medal (76mm, 210.58 g, 12h). Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of Princeton University. By T. S. Clarke. Dated 1896 in Roman numerals. View of Nassau Hall; in two lines in exergue, AVLA NASSOVICA/MDCCCXCVI / QVOD ANTEA FVIT/COLLEGIVM/NEOCAESARIENSE/NVNC ANNIS+CL+IMPLETIS/VNIVERSITAS/PRINCETONIENSIS/SAECVLVM SPECTAT/NOVVM (Princeton University, what was once a neo-Caesarian college, now celebrates a new age after 250 years) in eight lines; DEI SVB NVMINE VICET (nurtured under the name of God) on banner above. For an article on the medal, see "The Sesquicentennial Memorial Medal," in Princeton College Bulletin, Vol. VIII, No. 1 (January 1896), p. 99. EF, warm brown surfaces. NVMINE VICET (nurtured under the name of God) on banner above. For an article on the medal, see "The Sesquicentennial Memorial Medal," in Princeton College Bulletin, Vol. VIII, No. 1 (January 1896), p. 99. EF, warm brown surfaces.

Duplicates from the Kisch Medal Collection sold on behalf of the American Numismatic Society. Estimate: 200 USD -- This set was featured at the CoinArchives.com

One sold at auction in 2005 for US $540.00. And another, in 2007, for US $178.00. In January 2017, one was on eBay for US $425.00. And there is currently (October 2017) one on eBay, the asking price US $999.99.

From, The AlumniPrincetonian, Thursday, October 8, 1896:

MEMORIAL MEDAL. At a meeting of the Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee held during last year, it was decided to issue a memorial medal in connection with the coming celebration. This medal has been designed by Mr. Thomas Shields Clarke, of the class- of '82. On the face of the medal is a fine representation of Nassau Hall, surrounded by elms. The wording of the inscription on the face of the medal mentions the College of New Jersey, Nassau Hall, Princeton University, the completion of 150 years, the date of 189G, and the statement of the change of title to Princeton University. The dies for the medal have been made at the United States Mint at Philadelphia. The medals themselves will be ready for distribution in October. Each medal will be of bronze and will be placed in a black case about five inches square, having on the inside of the case orange decorations. The price of the medal in bronze will be $5 including the case; in silver, $15. The number of medals issued will be limited to those subscribed for by the end of the Sesquicentennial Celebration, after which the dies will be broken. Subscriptions will be received by Professor West, University Hall, Princeton.

From the Princeton College Bulletin, December 1896:

THE SESQUICENTENNIAL MEMORIAL MEDAL.

At a meeting of the Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee held in February 1895, it was decided to issue a memorial medal. Accordingly, the work was put in the hands of Mr. Thomas Shields Clarke, of the class of 1882, to make a series of studies of Nassau Hall, which it was decided was to form the subject for the face of the medal. It was resolved that a Latin inscription should be placed on the back of the medal. Mr. Clarke completed his clay model, of nearly eleven inches in diameter, and from it made a plaster cast, which was then sent to the United States Mint in Philadelphia and reduced on a pair of dies three inches in diameter, under the superintendence of Mr. Charles E. Barber, of the engraving department of the Mint. Two proof medals were then struck in bronze and proved entirely satisfactory. The medals were then struck off, one copy in pure gold, thirty copies in silver and five hundred copies in bronze. The Mint also arranged for making cases for the medals. Each case was nearly five . inches square and was lined on the inside with black velvet with a touch of orange velvet edging. The Latin inscription on the back together with the words on the face is so arranged as to bring in the College of New Jersey, Nassau Hall, Princeton University, the date 1896 and the statement of the change of title. The lettering is done in capitals of the Augustan period. Translated into English it reads:

"What was once the College of New Jersey, now fulfills one hundred and fifty years, and as Princeton University beholds a new age."

Above the inscription is placed, in a Roman bracket, the earliest motto of Princeton: "Dei sub numine viget."

One of these medals is at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. And the William & Mary Libraries, of Williamsburg, Virginia has one in their collection.

[Image of the silver Princeton University Sesquicentennial Medal courtesy of MedallicArtCollector.com]

Discovery

1905 Cast medallion (single), bronze, 25.4 cm.

Princeton Bell

Princeton Bell

Bell for the U.S. Gunboat "PRINCETON". Presented by the Alumni of Princeton University. Its whereabouts remains a mystery.

"Messrs. Bureau Bros., are working on the 300 pound bell, destined for the U.S. Gunboat Princeton, modelled by Thomas Shield Clarke of New York and presented by the Alumni of Princeton University. The bell which measures 25 inches across the base and about 28 inches to the crown, bears upon the face in low relief a fac-simile of Princeton college with the words and date “1764.” The bell clapper takes the form of the Tiger and Bull Pup symbolical of Princeton and Yale, the former being uppermost. The crown is surmounted by four Dolphins to support the ring." -- W. P. Lockington. [The Monumental News, Vol.10. Chicago, December, 1898 No.12]

To learn more about the ship click here: USS PRINCETON

"Knight and Lady" Andirons

Bronze andirons, titled, Knight and Lady. "The lady, a Winsome medieval dame, with her shield surmounting a Gothic pinnacle. The knight is less successful, a rather clumsy person carrying a crossbow, which marks him more the man-at-arms than the lord and cavalier." -- Isabel McDougall, from her article, "Some Recent Arts and Crafts Work", published in "The House Beautiful - Vol. XIV. July, 1903 No. 2."

The Princeton Tiger

Thomas Shields Clarke established a comic paper while at Princeton. Here are some examples of his sketches from the Tiger.

"The Princeton Tiger, devoted to art and aesthetics!!! Conceive me if you can" -The Princetonian Vol. VI, March 3, 1882, No.15

Illustrations for St. Nicholas Magazine

St. Nicholas Magazine was a popular children's magazine, founded by Scribner's in 1873.

Hyde Park

A Tree Ornament

TSC did a sketch of this work. Following that, is a photograph of the piece taken by the artist at Fernbrook, in 1910. Its title is unknown at this point.