Baldwin's of St. James's
Auction 37 25 Sep 2019
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Victoria, Patron of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, gilt-silver medal [c.1887], by G. G. Adams, commissioned by Baroness Burdett-Coutts, the crowned Queen seated l., her hand resting on her dog's head, VICTORIA REGINA PATRONA, floral border, rev. animals in a rural setting, with a horse, cow, donkey, goat, cat and a monkey in a tree, 63.5mm. (BDM.I, 23; Col. Grant, BNJ, listed for 1880), in (slightly warped) case of issue, choice mint state and extremely rare
The RSPCA's 'Queen Victoria Medal', to be awarded to people who make a significant contribution to the Society. The Society was granted its Royal status in 1840 when Queen Victoria became a patron. Forrer (BDM), states that the Queen is shown with 'her favourite dog', which could be Noble, a collie that died in 1887. The inclusion of a cat amongst the animals was also at the instigation of the Queen. The Animal World, journal of the RSPCA, records that following the Queen's visit to the Society in 1887, '... the Queen ... commanded that a suitable design should be prepared [for a medal], and Mr. Adams, sculptor, was subsequently instructed to undertake that work on detailed instructions supplied by Her Majesty. The drawing having been examined, revised and approved, the Queen detected the absence of a domestic cat among the group of animals which forms the obverse of the medal, and directed that a cat should be inserted. On the execution of the work, Her Majesty ordered that this handsome medal, as from herself should be presented to and worn by persons who, in the opinion of the Committee, should have performed distinguished services in the cause of the Society ...'.
Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts, 1st Baroness Burdett-Coutts (1814 – 1906), was closely involved with the RSPCA and was President of the Ladies Committee, which was founded in 1870.
(400-600 GBP)
The RSPCA's 'Queen Victoria Medal', to be awarded to people who make a significant contribution to the Society. The Society was granted its Royal status in 1840 when Queen Victoria became a patron. Forrer (BDM), states that the Queen is shown with 'her favourite dog', which could be Noble, a collie that died in 1887. The inclusion of a cat amongst the animals was also at the instigation of the Queen. The Animal World, journal of the RSPCA, records that following the Queen's visit to the Society in 1887, '... the Queen ... commanded that a suitable design should be prepared [for a medal], and Mr. Adams, sculptor, was subsequently instructed to undertake that work on detailed instructions supplied by Her Majesty. The drawing having been examined, revised and approved, the Queen detected the absence of a domestic cat among the group of animals which forms the obverse of the medal, and directed that a cat should be inserted. On the execution of the work, Her Majesty ordered that this handsome medal, as from herself should be presented to and worn by persons who, in the opinion of the Committee, should have performed distinguished services in the cause of the Society ...'.
Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts, 1st Baroness Burdett-Coutts (1814 – 1906), was closely involved with the RSPCA and was President of the Ladies Committee, which was founded in 1870.
(400-600 GBP)