Subject: Naval battles
Loading information...

Bronze commemorative medal honoring William Ward Burrows, a United States Navy officer during the First Barbary War and the War of 1812. The obverse depicts a tomb monument with various symbolic elements, including flags, pennants, and cannons, with the inscription "Vitorium Tibi Claram. Patrie Mestam*." The reverse shows two ships in battle, with the inscription "Vivere Sat Vincere" and details of the engagement between the USS Enterprise and HMS Boxer on September 4, 1813. The medal was created circa 1815 by Moritz Furst, a Jewish Hungarian engraver and medalist. Accompanying biographical information details Burrows' life and career, including his death in battle and posthumous Congressional Gold Medal. Extensive biographical information is also provided about Moritz Furst, highlighting his career as an engraver, medalist, and die-sinker in Philadelphia, and his creation of medallic portraits for several U.S. presidents. The description also notes Furst's work creating decorative embellishments on silverware.

Color aquatint engraving depicting the "Capture of the Argus, Aug. 14th, 1813." This print is from *The Naval Achievements of Great Britain*, published in 1817 by James Jenkins. The engraving illustrates an event in the War of 1812, where Uriah Levy, at age 21, served as a supernumerary sailing master on the USS Argus. The Argus was captured by British forces on August 14, 1813, after seizing over 20 vessels. Levy's experience as a prisoner of war and the challenges in obtaining a subsidy and parole due to his supernumerary status are described in the accompanying text.