Object Status:
Unlocated
Accession Date:
December 1783
Primary Source Reference:
Du Simitière Memorandum Books, Library of Congress, fol. 71r
Notes:
John Kirk, Duke of Gloucester medal, 1773
One of a set of thirteen tokens from the Sentimental Magazine. From the Bath Journal, Monday, March 29th, 1773: "The Sentimental Magazine. A NEW MAGAZINE, With every Number of which will be given a curious MEDAL, struck on fine Metal, about the Size and Weight of a Guinea, executed by Mr. KIRKE, who is universally esteemed the First Artist in London in his Profession. This Medal will of itself, exclusive of the Magazine, be Worth at least Half-a-Crown; it will represent some reigning Toast, some Great Personage, some Hero celebrated in the Annals of our own Kingdom, or in those of the Continent, some Patriot, or some uncommon literary Genius." See also Martin Warburton, Sentimental Magazine Medals (2018)
The Duke of Gloucester was Prince William Henry (1743-1805), a grandson of King George II and a younger brother of King George III.
The donor, Maj. Augustine Prévost (1744-1821), was a British officer who remained in America following the Revolution; he had served under the command of his father Maj. Gen. Augustine Prévost (1723-1786).
