{"product_id":"1936-sons-of-temperance-medal-named-rw-90744","title":"1936 Sons of Temperance Medal, Boxed Past Grand Worthy Patriarch","description":"\u003cp\u003eA striking and substantial vintage Sons of Temperance presentation medal dating to 1936, crafted in sterling silver with a rich gilt finish and vibrant enamel decoration. Named to R.W. Bird and housed in its original fitted presentation case, this impressive piece represents the office of Past Grand Worthy Patriarch within the Order of the Sons of Temperance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFounded in New York in 1842 and introduced to Britain in 1849, the Sons of Temperance was a fraternal organisation dedicated to promoting total abstinence from alcohol. In addition to its temperance principles, the Order provided members with mutual aid and friendly society benefits during a period when state welfare provisions were virtually non-existent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe medal is beautifully detailed, displaying the Order's emblem with the mottos \"Love\", \"Purity\" and \"Fidelity\" in colourful enamel. The reverse bears full Birmingham sterling silver hallmarks for 1935 together with the maker's mark \"MTC\" for Morton T. Colver. Suspended from an engraved silver bar dated \"1936\", the medal hangs from its original red and navy ribbon, adorned with an all-seeing eye device and topped by a further engraved silver name bar reading \"R.W. Bird\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePresented in the original blue leatherette fitted case in which it was discovered, this is a fine and increasingly scarce piece of British fraternal regalia. An excellent addition for collectors of friendly society memorabilia, temperance movement artefacts, sterling silver medals, or historical fraternal orders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTHE DETAILS\u003cbr\u003e\nMETAL: Gold-plated sterling silver with enamel decoration\u003cbr\u003e\nWEIGHT: 34.9 grams\u003cbr\u003e\nHALLMARKS: Name bar stamped \"STERLING SILVER\"; date bar stamped \"SILVER\"; medal hallmarked with lion passant for sterling silver, anchor for Birmingham Assay Office, date letter \"L\" for 1935, and maker's mark \"MTC\" for Morton T. Colver\u003cbr\u003e\nRECIPIENT: Engraved \"R.W. Bird\"\u003cbr\u003e\nDATE: 1936\u003cbr\u003e\nCONDITION: Excellent original vintage condition. The enamel remains bright and intact, the engraved bars are crisp and clear, and the original ribbon survives with minor age-related fraying to the edges. Areas of age-related tarnish and dark patina remain to the gilt finish, particularly on the reverse. We have chosen to leave the medal untouched, as many collectors prefer original surfaces and patina.\u003cbr\u003e\n________________________\u003cbr\u003e\nAt Mercy Madge we offer carefully curated quality antique and vintage jewellery sourced in Great Britain.\u003cbr\u003e\nADDITIONAL INFORMATION\u003cbr\u003e\n* Free worldwide shipping on all purchases.\u003cbr\u003e\n* Returns - you can return your item for a refund for any reason. Just get in touch within 3 days of receiving your order and return it within 7 days.\u003cbr\u003e\n* All gemstones have been tested and verified using a Presidium Gemstone Tester. All measurements and carat weights given are approximations.\u003cbr\u003e\n * Our photographs have been taken in extreme close up to show you every tiny detail. This often means that any flaws or damage which you can see on the photos will be invisible when viewed normally with the eye. This can also mean that the item can appear larger on the screen than it is in person, so please be sure to read our written description to double check all sizes and dimensions.\u003cbr\u003e\n* Buying a gift? – your item will arrive gift wrapped in a custom Mercy Madge jewellery box. Please note, unless otherwise stated antique boxes in our photos are for display only and are not included in the purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mercy Madge","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56301840531835,"sku":null,"price":110.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0301\/3256\/8203\/files\/il_fullxfull.8124375734_owdu.jpg?v=1781714739","url":"https:\/\/mercymadge.com\/it\/products\/1936-sons-of-temperance-medal-named-rw-90744","provider":"Mercy Madge ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}