Rare baseball medallion issued by the editors of Notre Dame's "Philomathean Standard" in 1872. The gold medallion (carat unknown) is circular in design, the interior portion of which features a pair of crossed baseball bats and two baseballs. The engraving around the perimeter reads "BY THE EDITORIAL CORPS OF THE PHILOMATHEAN STANDARD NOTRE DAME. IND." The day and year ("July 4" and "1872") are engraved, respectively, on the barrel of each bat. Engraved along the top perimeter of the reverse is "CHICAGO TRIBUNE."

Research has failed to discover any information regarding this medallion. We do know that the Philomathean Standard was a a monthly literary manuscript published by members of the St. Cecilia Society at Notre Dame. In the December 28, 1872 issue of The Scholastic, the Notre Dame newspaper, we did find notice of a meeting of the editorial board of the Philomathean Standard in which the newly elected officers were listed, including two editors for "Field-Sport." In another issue of The Scholastic, there is mention of editors of the Philomathean Standard presenting a professor with a gold medallion, and we have seen another example from 1892, so such presentations seem to be the norm for the organization. Unfortunately, we're unable to find any listing in The Scholastic mentioning the offered medallion. We can only assume that the medallion was presented to a member of the Chicago Tribune who attended the July 4th baseball game. 

The medallion (1.5" in diameter) displays a small punched hole at approximately "10:00 O'Clock" around the perimeter, which affects a tiny portion of the engraving reading "Philomathean." Since the hole was obviously punched after it was presented, the hole probably allowed for the medallion to be either pinned to a lapel, or attached to a chain so that it could be worn around the neck or wrist. Moderate wear commensurate with its age is evident on both the front and reverse. Very Good to Excellent condition overall.

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