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The medal features a suspended medallion consisting of two portions. The uppermost part is a 14kt yellow gold scroll, measuring approximately 40x50 mm., surmounted by a yellow gold eagle at the top, set with the United States flag shield of gold and enamel, measuring approximately 25x62 mm. The eagle has a gold scroll wound around its talons, and is set with 16 (approximately .05 carat) old mine cut diamonds and is flanked by two curved flags, Switzerland and Germany, in multicolored enamels mounted entirely front and back on yellow gold. All this is mounted on a yellow gold scroll which is finely engraved in a delicate floral pattern. On the top portion of the scroll are the intertwining initials, FJM (John F. Morse). The M is set with 14 (approximately 1.5x2.5 mm.) faceted rubies, the F is dark blue enamel on gold, and the J is set with 10 rose cut and old mine cut melee diamonds. The overall dimensions of the initials is approximately 15x15 mm. Situated directly below the initials is a gold and enamel hand, set with one (approximately 5x5 mm.) faceted heart shaped garnet. The lower portion of the medal is suspended on a 14kt yellow gold chain from the top piece and consists of a large disc, approximately 75 mm. in diameter. It is finely tooled solid silver with the symbols of Faith Hope and Charity and the engraved legend “But the First Of these Is Charity”. This disc surrounds a hand engraved heavily embossed disc approximately 45 mm. in diameter, of 24kt gold over 14 kt yellow gold of the State seal of California showing the bear, Miss Liberty, the Golden Gate and a miner at work. This disc is surrounded by approximately 45 (approximately 2.5 mm.) cultured pearls. The 14 kt yellow gold bale and swivel from which the disc is suspended is set with one old mine cut diamond in the center of an eye, an IOOF symbol. The reverse of the gold Seal disc is engraved: “Presented To John F. Morse, G,R.S.D.G.S. & P.G.M of Cal. I.O.O.F.by the Lodges of San Francisco Commemorating the successful establishment of the order in Switzerland and Germany under his auspices September 1871. The medal is housed in a velvet lined leather case which folds up for display, with the embossed gold lettering, John F. Morse R.W. grand Rep. I.O.O.F. Cal. The medal alone weighs approximately 8 ounces. The medal is signed by the maker, David White Laird, San Francisco on the bottom edge of the silver disc.

D.W. Laird was active in San Francisco from 1863-1878 as a Gold medal, badge and jewelry manufacturer, watch and jewelry retailer. A native of Scotland and initially employed by R.R. Gray and Co. in San Francisco, he opened a small shop in 1863 first on Merchant Street where this medal was probably made. He later was located on Montgomery Street, Post Street and then Market Street. He is known for his many presentation gold badges made for firemen, policemen and civic leaders. Dr. John Morse was born in Vermont in 1816. He was educated as a physician and pursued his medical studies with great enthusiasm. His profession was his pride and delight. He came to California from Brooklyn in 1849, arriving on the ship Humboldt, on which he acted as surgeon, and immediately settled in Sacramento. In the autumn of that year, he opened a hospital in the downtown area which proved invaluable to the local citizens with an influx of immigrants headed to the goldfields, often sick and destitute, while dealing with an outbreak of cholera in the Fall of 1850. In 1851 he was offered the position of editor of the Sacramento Union which he accepted and held for a year. He built the Morse building, became the president of the Sacramento Pioneer Association from 1857-1859, and wrote and published the First History of Sacramento City, a book which was later published in facsimile by the Sacramento Book Collectors Club in 1945, and later reissued by the California State library in 1997. He continued his medical practice until 1863 when he moved to San Francisco. Not only was he known as a kind sympathetic doctor, he was also a man of great public spirit taking a lively interest in matters affecting his community, State and nation. During this time he joined the Odd Fellows and became one of the most visual members on the Pacific Coast. During a visit to Germany in 1870, he introduced the order into that empire, and as a result of that dedication, he was subsequently awarded this decoration. Included with the piece is an appraisal, done c.1980, with an estimated replacement value at that time of $22,500.00 The medal has remained in the Morse family until this offering.