Jeffrey S. Evans & Assoc., Inc.
Live Auction

March 4, 2026: Winter Americana - Day One

Wed, Mar 4, 2026 09:00AM EST
  2026-03-04 09:00:00 2026-03-04 09:00:00 America/New_York Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates : March 4, 2026: Winter Americana - Day One https://live.jeffreysevans.com/auctions/jeffrey-evans/march-4-2026-winter-americana---day-one-21196
Jeffrey S. Evans & Assoc., Inc. info@jeffreysevans.com
  • Other
Lot 461

BROAD STREET ACADEMY, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA SILVER REWARDS OF MERIT, LOT OF THREE

Estimate: $200 - $400
Starting Bid
$100

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$200 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$30,000 $2,500
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000

BROAD STREET ACADEMY, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA SILVER REWARDS OF MERIT, LOT OF THREE, each with presentation engraving for John C. (J.C.) McCaffrey; comprising a round example engraved "To / John C. M'Caffrey / for / Industry Scholarship / and / Good Conduct / June 26th,, 1868" to front, the back with "Broad Street / Academy / 337 S. Broad St / Philadelphia / Edward Roth A.M. / Principal."; and two cross-form rewards presented on June 19th, 1871, featuring one for "Christian Doctrine" and the other for "MERIT", each back engraved "Broad St. / Academy [or Acdmy..] / Edward Roth / Principal / Philada.."; all presented on a 20th/21st century Italian sterling rope necklace chain. Rewards unmarked and of unknown silver fineness, but possibly coin; necklace chain marked "925". Total weight: 1.420 ozt. Dated 1868 and 1871. Round reward 1 3/8" D without bail; chain 18 1/2" L.
Catalogue Note: Broad Street Academy was founded by Edward Roth (1826-1911) in 1862, a Catholic school for boys. Roth was a native of Kilkenny, Ireland and immigrated to the United States around 1847, arriving in New York before moving to Wilmington, Delaware. There, Roth taught at St. Mary's College for 15 years, including becoming the vice-president for the last ten years. In 1862, he resigned his position at the college and settled in Philadelphia, PA, establishing Broad Street Academy where he served as principal for 30 years. In addition to being an educator, Roth authored school books and other publications as well as being a translator of French works including by Jules Verne.
The identity of John C. McCaffrey is uncertain. One possible is candidate is John Carroll McCaffrey (1856-1896), who was born in Philadelphia to parents James A. McCaffrey (1832-1910) and Catherine E. McGarry (1834-1914). Going by J. Carroll, he attended Georgetown College in Washington, DC and became a lawyer in Philadelphia. He married Eugenie Junker (b.1859) around 1879, and the couple had five children.
The family traveled to Portland, Oregon in 1886, where J. Carroll engaged in business there and began speculating land. Eventually in the 1890s, he was arrested and imprisoned for embezzlement and check fraud, though he only served a few months before winning an appeal on a technicality. The McCaffreys moved back to Philadelphia, and J. Carroll returned to his legal practice there. In 1895, he was hired by the defense team of serial murderer, H.H. Holmes, to try to persuade Pennsylvania Governor Robert Pattison and the Pardon Board to stay the murder's execution, which was ultimately unsuccessful. Later in 1896, McCaffrey reportedly took his own life, and he is buried at Cathedral Cemetery in Philadelphia, PA.

Condition

Excellent overall condition with minor wear, surface scratches, and nicks, necklace chain with some bending to jump ring for clasp.

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***Shipping:
Effective March 1, 2024 In-house shipping is no longer available with Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates (JSEA). Shipping of all lots is through one of two local UPS stores with whom we have successfully worked with in the past. Buyers will receive a shipping form to fill out and return to the UPS store. As a courtesy to our clientele, once the invoice is paid, JSEA will arrange transport and make delivery to each respective store at no extra charge. Once the items ship, buyers will receive a paid shipping invoice and tracking number.
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