Century of Progress Exposition (1933-34)

The medal's obverse bears youthful male figure with outstretched arms, standing on two outcroppings labeled 1833 and 1933 respectively. To his left, branch with leaves above RESEARCH; to his right, rectilinear design above INDUSTRY; signed at right, ERZ

The reverse bears an aerial view of the fair grounds. Around, - 1933 - A - CENTURY - OF - PROGRESS - INTERNATIONAL - EXPOSITION - CHICAGO; signed at left, ZETTLER

As the artist wrote in the pamphlet accompanying the medal:

"The youthful figure of strength, energy and action represents the intellectual arch between natures's resources and man's work. From research and invention have come the great achievements of the century, 1833-1933. The extended arms of the figure praise the work of Science and Industry and their great benefits to humanity."

This is a beautiful example of both art deco and machine age symbolism. As the U.S. was struggling to leave the Great Depression, belief in science and technology was at an all-time high and the Century of Progress Exposition was a way to celebrate this "scientific optimism."  Those were the endeavors that would make life better for everyone.  Unfortunately, the horror of World War II that was only six years in the future would illustrate the other uses of research and industry.

The medal was struck in different sizes. The large size is the official souvenir medal whereas the smaller sized "so-called dollar" HK-463 is the official medal. No mintages are reported.

References:   Marqusee 415

References:   MACo 1933-024, Marqusee 53

The medal's obverse bears a Native American in feather headdress, facing left. Around top, LUCKY PENNY

The reverse bears historic view of Fort Dearborn. Under building, FORT DEARBORN; around, A CENTURY OF PROGRESS / 1833 - CHICAGO - 1933

The circular medal measures 56.6mm in diameter and was struck in on copper-plated base metal. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears winged Italia head, facing left, with stylized waves below. Around, · CROCIERA AEREA (star) DEL DECENNALE · / ROMA-CHICAGO NEW-YORK-ROMA; signed under truncation, R MORBIDVCCI

The reverse bears eight groups of three planes  flying around upper circumference from Colloseum and buildings at lower right via polar bear at top to skyscrapers at lower left; stylized waves between two cities. In center field, REDIT ITALIA / PER AETHERA / MVSSOLINI DVCE / BALBO / DVCTORE; at bottom,  · MCMXXXIII · XI ·

The event commemorated by this medal is a stunning formation flight of 24 planes from Rome to Chicago where they participated in the celebrations of the Chicago World's Fair of 1933 . The fleet, also called the Italian Air Armada, took of from Rome on July 1, 1933 and arrived in Chicago 49 hours later, having stopped for refueling in Amsterdam, Derry, Reykjavik, Cartwright, Shediac, and Montreal.

The fleet was led by Italo Balbo (1896-1940), a dedicated Italian Fascist and early member of Mussolini's inner circle. Though he had only minimal experience in aviation, Balbo was appointed Secretary of State for Air. Rather than treating this position as a sinecure, Balbo took a crash course in flying and began building up the Italian Air Force.  He personally led a transatlantic flight of twelve Savoia-Marchettis in 1930 before leading the Italian Air Armada  to Chicago in 1933.

While intended as a demonstration of Italian might under its Fascist leader Mussolini, America loved heros of any stripe and celebrated him and his compatriots.  President Roosevelt invited him to lunch and awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross. The pilots were given a parade in New York and Balbo was warmly welcomed by the Italian Americans. 

Balbo was killed by friendly fire when his plane was shot down by the Italian cruiser San Giorgio while he was trying to return to Lybia where he served as Governor-General.

This medal is a master piece of Italian art deco. It is clearly influenced by the Fascist aesthetic but not to the extreme of including the helmeted Mussolini or the nude warriors. The choice of the winged Italia, even a firece winged Italia, puts the medal back into a more civil(ian) setting.

The circular medal measures 60.6mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and .800 silver by Arte Medaglia, Rome. No mintage is reported for either material.