Numismatic Innovation Fellowship

Applications due March 1, 2022

The Library Company of Philadelphia welcomes applications for a new fellowship to explore the social and political history of the U.S. Mint and numismatics during the early 1840s to late 1860s as it relates to the political, economic, and social environment leading up to and immediately following the American Civil War.

The Numismatic Innovation Fellow will conduct research focused on the Library Company’s James Barton Longacre Collection containing 1,300 engravings, drawings, correspondence, diaries, daybooks, and forty die trials from the Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint from 1844 to 1869. Correspondence relates to topics, such as coin design, use of aluminum, Chilean coinage, and conflicts with Chief Coiner Franklin Peale (1795-1870). The Fellow will also have access to the Library Company’s vast collection of books, graphic arts, manuscripts, and art & artifacts. Possible research topics surrounding the U.S. Mint include, but are not limited to: political, economic, and historical background including influence by the various Mint Directors and Chief Engraver Longacre on the creation, design, and materials used for die-trials, patterns, and medals during this period. Explore our holdings on our website or contact Linda August, Curator of Art & Artifacts, laugust@librarycompany.org for more information. An inventory of the Longacre Collection is available upon request.

Award

The Fellow will receive a stipend of $5,000 and lodging at the Library Company’s Cassatt House residence (1320 Locust Street) for four to eight weeks.

Requirements

The Fellow will be expected to commit four to eight weeks in residence at the Library Company. The fellowship will include the authoring of a series of blog posts or an online exhibition for the Library Company’s website that is based on their research and in consultation with Library staff. They will also participate in a public program, such as a lecture, to be hosted at the Library Company. The entirety of the project must be completed by summer 2023.

The Fellow will launch their project with an exploratory meeting, as well as toward the end of the residency share their research process and findings, with Founding Sponsor Kurt Brintzenhofe.

Eligibility and Evaluation

We welcome proposals from scholars from a range of backgrounds and at all career stages, including graduate students; contingent, junior, and senior faculty; as well as independent scholars; and curators and collections staff at cultural institutions.

To apply, please send a proposal (no more than 1000 words), c.v., and one letter of reference to laugust@librarycompany.org by March 1, 2022. Your proposal should include your relevant experience,  proposed research topic, and how the Library Company’s holdings will support your research topic.

A committee of Library Company staff and leaders in higher education and cultural institutions will select a qualified recipient. Decision will be made in April 2022.

The Numismatic Innovation Fellowship is made possible by the generosity of our Founding Sponsor Kurt Brintzenhofe.