This item is part of A Fine Collection of American Society & Association Membership Badges. Click Here to view all items in this collection.
United States. The Society of The Cincinnati Eagle Medal. Georgia Eagle Type. (1902-1904). This is a fine and desirable example of the No.57 Badge as outlined by Minor Myers, Jr. on page 94 of The Insignia of the Society of the Cincinnati.
As such, this example features a finely manufactured left facing 18kt Gold Eagle (tested) with outstretched wings and delicately hatched feathers in a layered vertical manner, slightly concave on obverse, with a white enamelled body, the head features a large central eye in black enamel with an oversized hooked beak detailed in Gold, uniquely, the neck does not display any detailing but rather is in plain white enamel, the head in its entirety is surrounded by a green and red enamelled wreath forming a collar and dividing the head from the body/medallion (additional laurel branches stemming from the mid-medallion and connecting with the wreath on converse), the wreath is surmounted by a small ring parallel to the facade of the badge, the legs are partially enamelled beginning halfway down the leg and distinctly portray three talons (feet not present on reverse), beneath the talons and on each side of the tail features a thin green enamelled laurel branch that curves up to reach the middle of the medallion, each side presenting eleven leaves and meeting in the middle of the tail with a red enamel circle, the tail is gold between the feet but in white enamel beneath the laurel branch, the designs are composed of waves and vertical lines and do not demonstrate individual feathers, obverse centre presents a bulbous blue enamel medallion in high relief illustrating two senators presenting a sword to Cincinnatus as his wife stands inside the door of the house on the right side, in a white surround the motto in Gold OMNIA RELINQUIT SERVARE REMPUBLICAN (He abandoned everything to serve his country) beginning at 12 o’clock, centre reverse medallion also in blue enamel with the Gold figure of Cincinnatus standing with a plow with crossed swords beside him, an angel blowing a trumpet in the sky, and a setting sun and ships in the background with two hands holding a heart in the exergue, in a white surround with the motto in Gold SOCIETAS: CINCINNATORUM: INSTITUTA: AD1783 (Society of the Cincinnati, Instituted 1783), measures 30.8mm (w) x 44.8mm (h- inclusive of integral suspension ring), weighs 20.1 grams (including the ribbon), on original ribbon with brooch pinback on reverse, light enamel fading in top leaf of wreath near suspension ring otherwise enamels fully intact, ribbon soiled and slightly torn, extremely fine condition.
Manufacturing Footnote:
As described by Minor Myers Jr., the Georgia Eagle was modeled after the Andrews-Forman Eagle from Philidelphia (1784-1791), known for its’ distinctive curved beak and V shaped designs. The George Eagle dies were likely designed by Tiffany, however they were destroyed in a fire. Between 1903 to 1904, the Eagle was manufactured by A.H Fetting Company of Baltimore. The distinct design of the tail sets it apart from all other eagles.
History Footnote:
The American Revolution began in 1776 and persisted until 1873 despite the decisive victory over the English at Yorktown in 1781. The constant presence Americans and French Armies eventually resulted in the English signing of a peace treaty in September 1783.
Major General Henry Knox, General Washington’s Chief of Artillery, had the idea of creating a society long before the resolution of the war. However, it was only on April 15, 1783 that his notions for a fraternal patriotic organization were turned into a written proposal. The Society of the Cincinnati was established roughly one month later, with General George Washington serving as the first President General, until his death in 1799. Military personnel (those who served minimum three years or were dismissed) along with all continental officers were eligible to become members. Approximately 2400 officers joined the Society as original members and made a contribution of one months pay towards the organization and the officer’s families. The principles of the order were as follows: “1. An incessant attention to preserve inviolate those exalted rights and liberties of human nature. 2. An unalterable determination to promote and cherish between the respective states the national honor. 3. To render permanent and cordial affection subsisting among the officers, to dictate brotherly kindness in all things and particularly extend to the most substantial acts of beneficence towards those officers and their families who unfortunately may be under the necessity of receiving it.”
The Insignia of the Society was designed by Major Pierre L’Enfant of the Continental Corps of Engineers. He decided that the medal should be no larger than a dollar, and should contain an eagle, as the bird is specific to the North American continent. The medal, generally known as the Eagle, was partially modelled after the French Order of Saint Louis and the Order of Military Merit. In October of 1783, L’Enfant was commissioned by the President General to sail to Paris and oversee the fabrication of the badges in 1784 by Duval and Francastel. The first group of forty-five were “made in a slight way” (measuring 31mm) costing $17 dollars each. For the other members, L’Enfant had a batch of 140 badges made to be sold to individual societies members, which were sold at $26 each. The Medals have since been manufactured by various American and French firms including Jeremiah Andrews, Tiffany & Co., Arthus Bertrand, and Bailey, Banks & Biddle. The latter was the official insignia maker in the 1960s.
The Eagles were largely made by hand, resulting in as many as twenty varieties and patterns. However, they all contain allusions to the Patron Saint of the Roman Dictator Cincinnatus. In a translation of Livy’s History of Rome, it is told that Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus, a citizen and farmer, was appointed Dictator when tidings from five horsemen threatened the city. He accepted the position and under his leadership, all potential dangers were driven away. Cincinnatus then resigned from his position and returned to his fields and agrarian lifestyle. For these actions, he is revered as the quintessential example of Roman simplicity and patriotism, and the Society aims to follow this precedent in all endeavours.
Criticism of the Society exists in the mid 1780s, when citizens argued that this society of officers, adorned by badges, were claiming they had a duty to protect the liberties that the people fought and gave lives for. The strife became so rampant the Society was nearly abolished, however that action would have insulted the French, who were allowed to wear the badge and considered it an official decoration from the United States. The society forged on, however membership numbers dropped to nearly 300 by the middle of the 19th century resulting in the dissolution of several state societies. By 1854, the rules of membership were altered, allowing the descendants of officers to join, regardless if the officer himself was an original member. This resulted in a flourish of members and an increase in interest. Although the Civil War delayed the vision to revive all societies, it offered a renewed sense of patriotism and encouraged the growth of the organization in both individual numbers and the re-establishment of previously lost societies.
As of 1938, the international headquarters is located at the Anderson House in Washington, D.C. Now in its’ third century, the Society promotes the public interest in the revolution through its library and museum collections, publications and other activities. The Eagle remains a rare and unique representation of the oldest hereditary society in the United States.