The Linnean Society of London, Darwin-Wallace Medal, in gold, by Frank Bowcher, commissioned by the Society to mark the 50th Anniversary of reading of joint papers by Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties; and on the Perpetuation of Varieties and Species by Natural Means of Selection on 1st July 1858; obv., linn: soc: Lond: 1858-1908, portrait of Darwin left, rev., linn: soc: Lond: 1858-1908, portrait of Wallace threequarters right, edge engraved dr alfred russel wallace. 1st july 1908, 78.37g; 48.4mm (B.H.M. 3962; Eimer 1906), tiny surface scratch on reverse, virtually as struck, in fitted case of issue and unique in gold Wallace was Guest of Honour at the special Darwin-Wallace Jubilee Celebration meeting of the Linnean Society held on 1st July 1908, at which Sir Joseph Hooker was also present. In addition to the award of the gold medal, six silver examples were awarded and the Society published an illustrated volume to commemorate the event. In addressing Wallace, the President of the Linnean Society, Dr D.H. Scott, said: We rejoice that we have with us to-day the survivor of the two great naturalists whose crowning work we are here to commemorate. Your brilliant work, in Natural History and Geography, and as one of the founders of the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection, is universally honoured, later continuing: There is nothing in the history of Science more delightful or more noble than the story of the relations between yourself and Mr. Darwin the story of a generous rivalry in which each discoverer strives to exalt the claims of the other.

Estimate: GBP 10000-15000