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Pocket watch likely carried by Matthew Henson in 1908-1909 Arctic expedition

National Museum of African American History and Culture
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Object Details

Manufactured by
American Watch Company, American, 1850 - 1957
Used by
Matthew A. Henson, American, 1866 - 1955
Subject of
Matthew A. Henson, American, 1866 - 1955
Robert E. Peary, American, 1856 - 1920
Caption
An engraved watch that is believed to be the watch carried by Matthew Henson (1866-1955) on his exploration of the North Pole along with Adm. Robert E. Peary from July 6, 1908 to April 23, 1909. Henson is an iconic figure among American pioneering explorers. During the 1908-09 expedition led by Admiral Peary (whom he assisted on several Arctic expeditions over a 20-year period), Henson became the first man to reach the North Pole. For his achievements, Congress awarded Henson the Peary Polar Expedition Medal in 1944. In 2000, the National Geographic Society awarded Henson the Hubbard Metal – its highest award.
Description
This pocket watch belonged to Matthew Henson and is engraved with his initials. The watch is silver in color and the words [R.E. PEARY / NORTH POLE / EXPEDITION / 1908] are engraved on the front in an Edwardian style. Henson's initials [M.A. HENSON] are engraved on the side. The watch has a white face with black hands and roman numerals. The watchmaker's name [Am. Watch Co. / WALTHAM] is printed in the top center of the face. The inside of the watch is engraved with the watchmaker's name [American Waltham Watch Co.] and the serial number [3639616].
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
1888-1889; inscribed 1908 or 1909
Object number
2017.31
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
pocket watches
Medium
nickel , metal and glass
Dimensions
H x W x D: 3 1/4 × 2 1/4 × 3/4 in. (8.3 × 5.7 × 1.9 cm)
Place used
North Pole, Arctic
Greenland, Cape Morris Jessup, North and Central America
Place made
Waltham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Adornment
Personal Effects and Items
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Topic
African American
Men
Nature
Science
Technology
U.S. History, 1865-1921
Record ID
nmaahc_2017.31
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd51a84fae9-5904-4016-9333-4959ae6961ab

Related Content

  • 1888: A Year in the Collections

  • 1908: A Year in the Collections

This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Open Access page.
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