Society of the Cincinnati 14K yellow gold and enamel medal with original white and sky blue silk ribbon. [Philadelphia]: The Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., early 20th century. Original clamshell case. Interior of case inscribed: "Property of Elmendorf / Ten Eyck Elmendorf." 

The Society of the Cincinnati medal belonging to member William Ten Eyck Elmendorf (1880-1962). A descendant of the famous New York Ten Eyck family, he was a pediatrician who studied at Rutgers and Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating in 1906. His obituary notes that he was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, the Holland Society, the Society of Colonial Wars, the Society of the War of 1812, and the Kane Masonic Lodge. (The Record (Hackensack, New Jersey), 4 June 1962).

He was descended from the Ten Eyck family, one of New York's oldest families who came to New Amsterdam (Manhattan) in the 1630s. His mother, Louise Ten Eyck (1851-1917), bestowed the name "Ten Eyck" to her son, a name he used instead of William. Two of his ancestors, Lt. Abraham Ten Eyck (1st NY Reg.) and Capt. Henry Ten Eyck (Connecticut), served in the American Revolution and were founding members of the Society of the Cincinnati. 

The Society of the Cincinnati Eagle was cast in 14K gold with a superimposed shield of the Society showing the Roman hero Cincinnatus with its motto "Omnia Reliquit Servare Rempublicam." The medal was designed in 1783 by Pierre-Charles L'Enfant who served as an officer in the Continental Army and was an original member of the Society. American craftsmen began making versions of the insignia by the beginning of the 19th century. Bailey Banks & Biddle was one of the firms creating "artistic yet precise examples of the Eagle to meet the demand from a rapidly growing membership."  In 1890, a committee was formed to choose a uniform design to create uniformity and standardization. Bailey Banks & Biddle's design was chosen in 1902. This example likely dates from the earliest period of production. 

A fine example of a Society of the Cincinnati medal from the descendant of one of New York's most prominent families. 

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