New York World's Fair (1939-40) | Glossary

Bronze

Description

The obverse bears view of iconic Trylon and Perisphere; at upper right, a full length figure of George Washington emerges from cloud banks. At bottom, NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR / 1939; at right, ©

The reverse bears three panels; top panel shows Trylon and Perisphere over radiant sun; above, THE WORLD OF TOMORROW; the middle panel shows view of Manhattan skyline as seen from the World's Fair grounds with legend TODAY; bottom panel shows view of New Amsterdam with legend YESTERDAY; signed at top right corner of bottom panel, KILENYI

The edge bears the marks ROBBINS CO. / ATTLEBORO - BRONZE.

This was the official medal of the New York World's Fair of 1939-40. The 190m-tall spire-shaped Trylon contained the (at the time) longest escalator and the 54m-diameter Perisphere housed a diorama called "Democracity" which depicted an topian city-of-the-future. A moving sidewalk transported spectators past the exhibits.

A much rarer version of the medal exists in which the year is 1940 rather than 1939.

The medal measures 63.5mm in diameter and was struck by the Robbins Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts.

References: Marqusee 227

Variant Details

This section contains a table of detailed variant information. Currently, I am only aware of 2 variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any others or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
edge6	ROBBINS CO. / ATTLEBORO - BRONZE
diameter	63.5mm
mintage	unknown

material	Silver-plated bronze
edge6
diameter	63.5mm
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Nov 30, 2017 10:01

Silver

Description

The medal's obverse bears the New York World's Fair motif of trylon and perisphere. To left of trylon, 1939; across, N - EW YORK / WORLD'S / FAIR.

The medal's reverse bears boy painting poster with World's Fair motif in front of eagle. Around, NATIONAL POSTER COMPETITION.

The National Poster Competition was officially announced on March 30, 1937 and was open to students throughout the United States. Participants could submit original poster designs for the New York World's Fair of 1939/40.

The medal was struck in bronze and silver, with the silver pieces being much rarer than those struck in bronze.

This medal measures 51mm (2in) in diameter and was struck by the Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey. No mintages are reported.

Variant Details

This section contains a table of detailed variant information. Currently, I am only aware of 2 variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any others or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
edge6
diameter	51mm
mintage	unknown

material	Silver
edge6
diameter	51mm
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 16:40

Description

The uniface plaquette bears two female figures flanking a medal with trylon and sphere at top and award badge at bottom. Above, THE WORLD'S FAIR / OF 1940 IN NEW YORK; on badge, SPECIAL / AWARD / OF / MERIT

Julio Kilenyi designed the medals for the World's Fair and this plaque is very reminiscent of his works. Elaine Leotti, a researcher who studied the artists who worked for Whitehead & Hoag, attributed this plaquette to him but Harry Waterson, a dedicated Kilenyi specialist, thinks it unlikely. I have decided to leave the medal unattributed for now, pending further feedback from the specialists.

The plaquette measures 63.5mm x 88.5mm and was struck in bronze by the Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey.

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
edge6	W&H CO. NEWARK NJ.
dimensions	63.5mm x 88.5mm
weight	220g
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 16:42

Description

The obverse bears view of iconic Trylon and Perisphere; at upper right, a full length figure of George Washington emerges from cloud banks. At bottom, NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR / 1940; at right, ©

The reverse bears three panels; top panel shows Trylon and Perisphere over radiant sun; above, THE WORLD OF TOMORROW; the middle panel shows view of Manhattan skyline as seen from the World's Fair grounds with legend TODAY; bottom panel shows view of New Amsterdam with legend YESTERDAY; signed at top right corner of bottom panel, KILENYI

The edge bears the marks ROBBINS CO. / ATTLEBORO - BRONZE.

This was the official medal of the New York World's Fair of 1939-40. The 190m-tall spire-shaped Trylon contained the (at the time) longest escalator and the 54m-diameter Perisphere housed a diorama called "Democracity" which depicted an topian city-of-the-future. A moving sidewalk transported spectators past the exhibits.

This is the much rarer version of the medal that shows the year as 1940 rather than 1939.

The medal measures 63.5mm in diameter and was struck by the Robbins Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts.

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
edge6	ROBBINS CO. / ATTLEBORO - BRONZE
diameter	63.5mm
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 16:42

Description

The reverse depicts Poland Exhibit bilding at World's Fair surrounded by two trees. In exergue, REPUBLIC OF POLAND / EXHIBITION / NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR / 1940

Ignace Jan Paderewski was one of the most famous pianists of his age and an inspiration to Polish nationals. In addition to being a world-renown pianist, he was also famous for his wit. One anecdote recounts how he was introduced to a polo player with the words:

"You are both leaders in your spheres though the spheres are very different."

He replied:

"Not so very different. You are a dear soul who plays polo, and I am a poor Pole who plays solo."

Kilenyi admired Paderewski and, when he was retained to design a medal symbolizing the friendship between the United States and Poland, he picked his likeness for the obverse. Because Paderewski was unable to sit for him and photos and drawings were not sufficient Kilenyi watched Moonlight Sonata, a movie featuring the famous pianist, to capture Paderewski's essence.

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
edge6
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 16:48