Badge, Membership
Object number2007.56.132 a-c
Artist
The Robbins Company
Date1917
OriginAttleboro, MA
MediumBronze, Brass, Pewter, Nylon, Enamel, Cardboard, Cotton
Credit LineHeinz History Center Collection
DescriptionCommemorative ribbon with presentation box.
Commemorative ribbon. Medal with four connected pieces with goldenrod yellow ribbon behind. Top piece of medal is bronze, and features an eagle, with wings outstretched, sitting atop two crossed cannons and a pile of cannonballs. The eagle holds a sword in its talons. The second piece is brass, with red, white, and blue enamel inlay. The main image of the piece is that of a waving American flag, beneath which are the letters or the organizational acronym, which are red, white, and blue, respectively. At the bottom of the piece is a banner with red text. Behind "GAR" can be seen the leaves of two branches. The third piece is made of pewter, and is in the shape of the facade of the Old State House of Boston. Superimposed over the center of the facade of an image of a troop of soldiers and a cavalryman. At the bottom of the piece is a banner with text. The fourth and bottommost piece is bronze. It is circular, with the portrait of a man at the center. Around the edge is name and title. The reverse of this piece has commemorative event text. An olive branch forms a border on the left, and a laurel branch on the right.
Lid of presentation box. White. Has commemorative event text on top. Maker's mark printed on underside.
Bottom of presentation box. White, with white padding lining the inside. Year handwritten in black pen on bottom.Dimensionsa) Width: 2.000, Length: 6.125b) Width: 3.000, Length: 7.250, Depth: .4375
c) Width: 2.500, Length: 7.000, Depth: .500
Inscriptions(a)
The second piece of metal has the letters "G", "A", "R", which are red, white, and blue, respectively. At the bottom of the piece is a banner that reads "REPRESENTATIVE" in red.
The third piece of metal has, at the bottom of the piece, a banner that reads "OLD STATE HOUSE / BOSTON 1917 / CRADLE OF LIBERTY".
The fourth and bottommost piece of metal has text around the edge, "COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WILLIAM J. PATTERSON". The reverse of this piece reads "51ST / NATIONAL / ENCAMPMENT / G.A.R. / AUG. 1917 / BOSTON, MASS.".
(b)
Reads "51st / National Encampment / Grand Army of the Republic / BOSTON, MASS. / August 1917" on top.
(c)
"1917" handwritten in black pen on bottom.
Marks(a)
"THE ROBBINS CO. / ATTLEBORO, MASS." on reverse side of third piece of metal and embossed in silver ink on back of ribbon (top).
(b)
"Manufactured by / The Robbins Company / Attleboro, Mass." printed on inside of lid.
Historical NotesFrom the 51st National Encampment of the GAR which took place in Boston, MA. Found in collection.
Related person
William J. Patterson
Related institution
Grand Army of the Republic
On View
Not on view
1944-1945
Westinghouse Learning Corporation