IMechE’s James Watt medal set to be sold at auction

The medal is awarded every two years and will be auctioned in Stroud, Gloucestershire

The first example of a prestigious medal awarded by the IMechE to engineers, including Sir Frank Whittle and Henry Ford, is to go under the hammer this month. The first James Watt International Medal will be auctioned in Stroud, Gloucestershire.

The prestigious medal for excellence in engineering was struck to mark the bi-centenary of Watt’s birth in 1736. The first recipient was Sir John Audley Frederick Aspinall, who was president of the IMechE in 1909-10.

Aspinall worked on railways in Ireland and Britain. He was locomotive superintendent of the Great Southern and Western and the Lancashire and Yorkshire railways and also a president of the Institution of Civil Engineers. He designed several locomotives; however, his greatest legacy was the introduction of vacuum brakes to Ireland, a trend which continued in Britain.

Aspinall also wrote seven academic papers and was the holder of 14 patents. Having been awarded the prize, he died just days before the planned presentation by the Duke of York (soon to be King George VI). He passed away, aged 85, on 19 January 1937 – the anniversary of James Watt’s birth 201 years before. 

The medal was eventually presented by IMechE president Sir Nigel Gresley to Sir John’s daughter, Isabel Aspinall, and has remained in the family’s possession ever since. 

The James Watt International Medal is awarded every two years. It is a solid 14ct gold medal which weighs 114g and is approximately 57mm in diameter. It will be auctioned at Stroud Auction Rooms in their 11-12 April sale, which includes a specialist section of medals and militaria.