Victorian Mourning Brooch 14K Gold Moonstone Lynde Minshall Walter C.1842 Boston

Description

Here is an impressive mourning brooch dating to 1842. Made of 14K solid gold with black enamel and a center moonstone. It is a historically important piece and memorializes Lynde Minshall Walter (1899-1842). There are no hallmarks but it tests for at least 14k solid gold. It has a T bar pin with a C clasp. The inscription reads: "Lynde Minshall Walter, Obit. July 24th, 1842, Aged 43."
A history of Mr. Walter (excerpt from Wikipedia):
The Transcript
was founded in 1830 by
Henry Dutton
and James Wentworth of the firm of Dutton and Wentworth, who were, at that time, the official state printers of Massachusetts.
[3]
and Lynde Walter who was also the first editor of the
Transcript
.
[4]
Dutton and Wentworth agreed to this as long as Walter would pay the expenses of the initial editions of the newspaper.
[4]
In 1830
The Boston Evening Bulletin
, which had been a penny paper, ceased publication. Lynde Walter decided to use the opening provided to start a new evening penny paper in Boston. Walter approached Dutton and Wentworth with the proposal that he would edit the paper and that they would do the printing and circulation.
[4]
The Transcript
first appeared on July 24, 1830,
[1]
however after three days Walter suspended publication of the paper until he could build up his patronage. After Walter canvassed the city to better develop the paper's business
The Transcript
resumed publication on August 28, 1830.
[5]
After Lynde Walter died, his sister,
Cornelia Wells Walter
, who had been the
Transcript
's theatre critic, became, at 29, the editor of the
Transcript
,
[6]
becoming the first woman to become the editor of a major American daily. Cornelia Walter served as the editor of
The Transcript
from 1842 to 1847.
[7]
In very good condition: the moonstone replaced the hair that would have been in the front center. There are some light surface scratches and a bit of wear to the enamel.
Note: the second photo shows Mr. Walter in a portrait that is the the archives of the National Portrait Gallery and is not included in this listing, nor is the display box.
A real antique rarity and an important piece of U.S journalism history.
Measurements:
Width: 1 3/4"
Height: 1 5/16"
Size of moonstone: 1" x 3/4"
Weight: 17.9 gms, 11.5 dwt
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