Latin Inscription (top): amicitia concordia soli noscimus

Translation: we alone learn in friendship (and) harmony

English Text (body): Linonia Court. The Literary & Debating Society Linonia was founded in 1753. In 1871, its Library with that of Brothers in Unity became part of the College Library.

Location: 74 High Street, Branford College (Linonia Court)

Commentary:

The phrase “amicitia concordia soli noscimus” is the motto of the Linonia Society, one of the oldest secret societies at Yale and in America. In the early 19th century, the society amassed a large collection of books, papers, and manuscripts, which they formally donated to the Yale College Library in 1871, as detailed in the plaque. Honoring this, when the Memorial Quadrangle was built (1917-1922), a courtyard within it was named Linonia Court and this plaque was placed there dedicated to the Linonia Society. The Quadrangle was later split into the Branford and Saybrook colleges, with Linonia Court ending up on the Branford side.

The imagery on the plaque is of a heart that contains a swan, dove, phoenix, dog, and shelves of books. The design of the imagery and inscription was created by Amos Doolittle in 1802 <link>, and its original purpose was as a bookplate for the Linonian library.

See here for a history of Branford College and here and here for the Linonian Library.