Diameter: 8.5cm (3in)
‘Record of British Valour’, contained within a bronze circular medal box, thirteen coloured acquatints depicting the victories of the Peninsular War and Waterloo 1815, by I. Porter & E. Orme. The obverse of the medal box with relief uniformed profile bust of the Duke of Wellington bare headed signed ‘PORTER . F / Orme Direx’ [principal] under the shoulder, and encircled with the legend ‘ENGLAND'S GREAT CAPTAIN ARTHUR DUKE OF WELLINGTON’. The reverse with the figure of Victory seated beneath a tree inscribing a tablet, ‘RECORD OF BRITISH VALOUR’ signed ‘L. Porter . F’ , and beneath / PICTURE MEDAL’ and ‘Edwd. Orme Direx’ / Bond St. London’.
Edward Orme (1775-1848) was by turns an engraver, printseller and property developer. The son of a Manchester cloth manufacturer who came to London around 1794, his first engraving was published by his brother Daniel in that year. `in 1799 he was appointed print seller in ordinary to George III and in 1820 editor of prints in ordinary to George IV. In May 1800 he had a shop in Conduit Street, London (at the corner of George Street), and in 1801 exhibited a portrait at the Royal Academy. In the same year he established himself at 59 New Bond Street, London, at the corner of Brook Street. In a second career as a property developer, he was he helped build Orme Square in Bayswater, as well as other places in the area.