Irish Medals in Gold and Silver from the Collection of James Spencer

Dublin, Royal Dublin Society, an oval silver award medal, unsigned, Minerva seated left, head turned back, holding cornucopia and spear, rev. named (Adjudged by the Dublin Society to Dr David McBride for His Invention of A New Method of Tanning, 1768), 42 x 37mm (Went 1; D & W 122/170; Frazer p.319; Went, Heritage 114). Very fine and toned, very rare and an extremely early award; with integral suspension loop (£150-200)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Irish Medals in Gold and Silver from the Collection of James Spencer.

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David McBride (1726-78), born in Ballymoney, co Antrim, was a Dublin physician who advocated the use of lime water in tanning in 1767. He was rewarded with life membership of the Society the following year. Went stated that ‘no silver medal dated before 1768 is known’ although contradicted himself in his same article by stating that ‘Impressions in silver are known dated 1767…’