December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
This handsome medal was authorized by the Legislative Assembly of Saint Vincent in the British West Indies following a negotiated treaty signed on 27 February 1773 between Major-General William Dalrymple and the leaders of the Black Caribs, bringing an end the 1772-1773 uprising. Although proclaimed as a victory, it was actually a draw--the Black Caribs were never defeated in battle and were far more adept at bush-fighting tactics than the British regiments and local militia and volunteers that opposed them. However, the British troops learned much from this long campaign in hot and rugged terrain and this knowledge was put to good use during the Revolutionary War; most of the British units that participated in the Carib War later serving in one or more campaigns during the latter conflict, including troops from the 6th, 14th, 31st, 60th and 70th Regiments of Foot, along with artillery and Marine detachments. 8th regiments, along with 6 companies of the 2nd Battalion "Royal American" 60th Regiment and small detachments from the 70th Regiment, in addition to some Artillery and Marines. The Black Caribs were essentially given the northern half of the island as their territory and left alone. It has been stated that these silver medals were given to the British military officers and the locals who were in this Carib War, but it is also very likely that many of these medals were also presented to the leaders of the Black Caribs. The 55mm diameter medal's obverse has the bust of George III with surmounted by"GEORGIVS. III. MB. REX" and the reverse has Britannia offering an olive branch to a Black Carib who has laid down his arms, with "PEACE AND PROSPERITY TO ST. VINCENTS / MDCCLXXIII". With it is an 18th century copperplate engraving of the treaty ceremony, after the original painting of the event by Agostino Brunias (1730-1796). Brunias was an Italian artist in the employ of Sir William Young, working on the island during this period and commissioned to chronicle the event. The 10 1/4 x 8 1/4 print is taken from Edwards's History of the West Indies (1793) and was deaccessioned by The Ogilby Museum Trust. CONDITION: The medal a very good, virtually unflawed example with bright finish and some dark patina along the lettered rim areas; the print with bearing the Trust's stamp in the upper margin, not effecting the image, and two, flattened fold lines.