GEORGE ADAMS, LONDON (1840-1883)

77.00mm

3.03 inches

Both medals are Extremely Fine. There is very slight mottling in the obverse field of one of the medals. The original double case is in very good condition, with the inscription on the lid clearly stamped

Pair of identical bronze medals cased in their original "double" case of issue. Engraved by George, G. Adams, F.S.A. This medal was commissioned by the Corporation of the City of London to commemorate the visit of Queen Victoria to the City of London to open Blackfriars Bridge and the Holborn Valley Viaduct on 6th November, 1869. Provenance: Ex. Dr. Arthur King Collection. Obverse: Diademed head of Queen Victoria, facing left. Legend - VICTORIA D:G:BRIT:REGINA F:D:. Beneath: G. G. ADAMS .SC:. Reverse: Two wreaths, the lower one inverted, joined at the centre by a shield with the arms of the City of London. Views of the two works within the wreaths. On either side, Londinia and Britannia facing each other. Above, the date 1869. Below, G. G. ADAMS. D: SC:. See: "British Historical Medals" by Laurence Brown, volume II, p.279, No. 2906. The internal base of the original case is lined with red velvet and the inside of the lid in cream silk. The outside of the lid is stamped in gilt with the full coat of arms of the City of London, including supporters and motto. Beneath, in varying scripts: IN COMMEMORATION OF THE VISIT OF/ Her Most Gracious Majesty/The Queen,/TO THE CITY OF LONDON, TO OPEN/BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE AND THE HOLBORN VALLEY VIADUCT./6th NOVEMBER, 1869./ The Right Hon. James Clarke Lawrence, M.P./LORD MAYOR. Beneath are listed the names of the two Sheriffs and of the two joint chairmen of the Committee.

A very full and interesting account of the procedures and of the works carried out can be found in the Corporation of London's book "Numismata Londinensia. Medals struck by The Corporation of London to Commemorate Important Municipal Events. 1831 to 1893". Published in 1894. According to Mr. Brown, 400 specimens of this medal were struck. The original Blackfriars Bridge, which was completed in 1769 and designed by Robert Mylne, had taken nine years to build and was demolished in 1864. The new bridge was designed by Joseph Cubitt and H. Carr and the foundation stone was laid by the Lord Mayor on 20 July 1867. The Holborn Viaduct was built to span the valley of the river Fleet and was designed by William Heywood, the City surveyor. The viaduct took six years to complete and is believed to have cost œ 2,500,000.

gbp 400.00 (Pound Sterling)

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