Reference:3954 Grace Darling Memorial Brooch, 1883

A lifeboat fashioned into a brooch from a piece of silver, pin mounted on the reverse for wear. 57 mm. (2.3 inches) in length.

Condition: Very fine.

Notes: Grace Horsley Darling (1815-42) the daughter of a lighthouse keeper on one of the Farne Islands, off the Northumberland coast, was on one occasion in 1838 called upon to assist her father, William, in the rescue of survivors from the stricken ship, Forfarshire. They managed to save nine lives and news of this heroic effort spread far and wide. Grace and her father were awarded gold medals from the Royal Humane Society. She almost immediately achieved heroic status, with calls for locks of her hair so numerous that she was said to have been in danger of becoming bald. The commercial machine started to roll and souvenirs of different kinds were produced, of which this brooch is a particularly poignant reminder. Would you please note that you are in the ARCHIVE page of the website, where all sold items are placed. For items that are still available, please go to the menu opposite and click on MEDALS & MEDALLIC ART.