Erwin Springweiler

The obverse bears polar bear on floe, flying snow geese behind. In upper field, ARCTIC; around, * GREELY * BARTLETT * PEARY * BYRD *

The reverse bears group of four penguins on ice. Around, * PALMER * WILKES * BYRD * ELLSWORTH *; below, ANTARCTIC / E.F.S / ©

Springweiler described his thoughts in the brochure accompanying the medal:

"In creating this medal I was thinking of another world, a silent and cruel one, the regions around the poles of our globe, the endless icewastes, the land of midnight sun."

While stressing the barren and cruel nature of the polar reaches, he praised the men who had set out to explore them and commemorated their names on the medal.

This medal was chosen as the 24th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1941. It measures 73mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company. Its mintage is reported to be 999 pieces in bronze and 100 in silver.

References:   MACo 1930-001-024, Marqusee 369, SoM 24

The medal's obverse bears angler standing in stream, facing right, fishing rod raised high in one hand, other arm extended down to net hooked trout. Around, THE ANGLERS' CLUB OF NEW YORK / HONOR - MEDAL

The reverse bears brook trout going for fly. Across, FOR / OUTSTANDING / SERVICE IN / THE FIELDS OF / CONSERVATION / ICHTYOLOGY / THE / SPORT / OF / ANGLING

The Anglers' Club of New York appears to have been founded in 1905.  It is an exclusive social club whose members are united by their love of fly fishing.  Membership is strictly capped and by invitation only. One story I found recounted an obituary stating that the deceased had spent three decades on the waiting list for club membership.

The circular medal measures 63.7mm and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

Many thanks to the Yale University Art Gallery for making this medal available to me for research.

References:   MACo 1954-066