![Undated [1873] American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The Rumford Medal. J.AM.1, Neuzil 55. Gold....](http://www.stacksarchive.com/gallery/ST0505a/00/ST0505a0026t2.jpg "Undated [1873] American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The Rumford Medal. J.AM.1, Neuzil 55. Gold....") Undated [1873] American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The Rumford Medal. J.AM.1, Neuzil 55. Gold. 65.1 mm. 8.0 - 8.7 mm. thick. 7,092.3 gns. (458.9 gms.). By Moritz Furst. Choice Brilliant Proof. Lovely, bright yellow gold color, matte devices, mirror fields. Awarded to Lewis M. Rutherford. The obverse shows Furst's bust of Count Rumford facing left. The reverse bears the award inscription, naming the medal the ''Rumford Medal for Discoveries in Light or Heat.'' In 1796, Count Rumford gave $5,000 each to the Royal Society of London and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, to underwrite prizes for deserving scientists. The former was to award the Rumford Medal, the latter the Rumford Prize. The broad arrow at the base of the inscription on this medal may suggest a reason for the apparent discrepancy in the nomenclature. Lewis Morris Rutherford (1816-92) was a New York City lawyer and scion of the Morris clan. He began his work on astronomical photography in 1856, for which he won this award in 1873. In 1881 he established the department of astronomy at Columbia University. The medal is very rare. Julian notes that the AAA&S medal was struck at the Mint until about 1860. After that date it seems to have been struck elsewhere. One of Rumford's many other benefactions was his invention of the narrow draft Rumford fireplace, which burned hotter and with less smoke. One of these may still be seen in the cataloguer's colonial house in New Hampshire.
Ex Ed Shapiro on October 28, 1971.
| |
|
![Click to open a larger image - Undated [1873] American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The Rumford Medal. J.AM.1, Neuzil 55. Gold....](http://www.stacksarchive.com/gallery/ST0505a/00/ST0505a0026a.jpg "Click to open a larger image - Undated [1873] American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The Rumford Medal. J.AM.1, Neuzil 55. Gold....")
![Click to open a larger image - Undated [1873] American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The Rumford Medal. J.AM.1, Neuzil 55. Gold....](http://www.stacksarchive.com/gallery/ST0505a/00/ST0505a0026b.jpg "Click to open a larger image - Undated [1873] American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The Rumford Medal. J.AM.1, Neuzil 55. Gold....")
