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Auction: 4026 - Ancient, English and Foreign Coins and Commemorative Medals
Lot: 619

George III, Pitt Club Medal, struck in silver gilt with cameo bust of William Pitt on black enamel, motto surrounding non sibi sed patriae vixit (He lived not for himself but for his country), laurel wreath surrounding upper half with loop for suspension, rev., pitt / club at centre, benj. linthorne esqr, engraved incuse on raised ring surrounding all, in memory of the rt honble wm pitt died 23 jany 1806 aged 47, housed in fitted red case with printed label affixed green ward & green / Ludgate Hill (Garnett - BNJ 2nd series IX, page 213-218), the cameo appears to have become attached and then glued back onto the enamel, otherwise extremely fine, and extremely rare in silver gilt Estimate £ 500-700 According to Garnett's research the original London Pitt Club was founded in 1793 by Nathaniel Atcheson of the middle Temple, and he thereby associated certain respectable private individuals for the purpose of endeavouring to to counteract the principles disseminated by the partisans of the French Revolution. Its meeting were held on the birthdays of the King and Queen, but after Mr Pitt's retirement from office, and the celebrated meeting of 1802 at which upwards of 900 persons were present at the Hall of the Merchant Taylors, and at which Earl Spencer presided, the members of this association met on the anniversaries of Mr Pitt's birthday until 1808, when it was though a more extensive society might formed to perpetuate the principles of this illustrious statesman. Mr Atcheson accordingly made a proposition to several persons of congenial sentiments. This being adopted, a new club was established that year. Thirteen of the original 1793 club, including Mr Atcheson considered as its founder, figure at the head of the list of members in 1808. By 1816 the London Pitt Club had enrolled as many as 1,300 members, and at the time of its dissolution in 1849 the total number elected was 1,731. The first Dinner after the resuscitation of the Club in 1808, was at the Merchant Taylor's Hall. Rule 10 of the London club reads:- "That each member shall wear, at all meeting of the Club, the Pitt Medal, tied on his left breast with a garter blue ribbon, and that the larger Medal, with a wider ribbon be worn by the Chairman of the day" The regular London badges were issued to members at £1/16/6d and supplied by Green, Ward and Green of Ludgate Hill.

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