2010.002

Staff / Collected by

Collected by Staff

Museum Collections.

1840 - 1850

Date: 1840-1850

Notes: This text and attached images as found online in October 2010 at Stack's Coins: http://www.stacksarchive.com/viewlot.php?auction=CG0405&lot=739&auclink=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5zdGFja3NhcmNoaXZlLmNvbS92aWV3Y2F0LnBocD9hdWN0aW9uPUNHMDQwNSZwYWdlc3RhcnQ9NzIwI2xvdDczOQ%3D%3D&PHPSESSID=4115327b7abfcba4474d4b19e6a46632 Hoboken Turtle Club Medal, ca. 1840. White Metal, 33.2mm, pierced for suspension. Rulau unlisted. Very Fine. Obv. Green sea turtle (source of turtle soup and chowder and now an endangered species) with legend, AS WE JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE, LET US (PAUSE ?) ON THE WAY. Rev Legend HOBOKEN TURTLE CLUB, inscription identifies officers, L. ACKERMAN, PS., J. BLACK, TR., J.H. WALCH, G.C. INNESS SEC. An edge cut, a few scratches and an obverse dent at 6:00 suggest that this medal experienced long and honored wear by some Turtle Club loyalist. The Hoboken Turtle Club was an institution of gourmands, founded in 1796, one of a number of socially prominent clubs of early Federal times. Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr were charter members, George Washington was an honorary member. This epicurean group met in the Elysian Fields near 10th Street, and elaborate club feasts were held in Hoboken's shady Turtle Grove. The Turtle Club survived well into the 20th century along with kindred social groups such as the I.D.K. (I Don't Know) Bowling Club and the Krout Club whose members were called Cabbage Heads who wilted rather than died. These clubs' around-the-clock banquets and food fests were the talk of the city as early as 1816 and were still receiving publicity as late as 1939. Original or Copy: Digital copy Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2010-10-20