Gardening

The plaquette's obverse bears woman, holding spade in one hand and laurel crown in other, in midst of flowers. In exergue, GARDEN CLUB OF AMERICA

The reverse bears empty octagonal field for dedication above oil lamp and oak branches.

The plaquette was obviously issued by the Garden Club of America, but I don't know whether it is used as a membership plaquette or as an award.

The rectangular plaquette measures 36.8mm x 53.2mm and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company. I know neither artist nor mintage and would appreciate information from people who know more about this handsome plaquette.

The medal's obverse bears a beautifully modeled barefoot female figure, seated in rough chair, facing left, holding flowers or leaves in her hands as she seems lost in thought while looking at the surrounding gardens. Around top, THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF CHICAGO

The reverse bears a wreath of chrysanthemums surrounding engraved dedication.

The circular medal measures 69.5mm in diameter. Early medals had a clear edge and it is uncertain where they were struck. Later, the contract was awarded to the Medallic Art Company and they edge-marked the medals accordingly.  They also struck the medal in at least one other metal (nickel silver).

References:   Marqusee 344-345

The medallion's obverse bears female figure draped in flowery garlands. Around, · THE · GARDEN · CLUB · OF · AMERICA · / HIC · AMOR · HOC · STUDIUM

The reverse bears bird with laurel crown in its beak on streamer for engraved dedication. Around, · HONORIS · CAUSA · ; signed at center bottom, · PM ·

The circular medallion with scalloped edges measures roughly 90mm in diameter.  No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1931-005, Murtha 277

This uniface medal bears statue of kneeling female nude in center of fountain in the midst of an elaborate garden. (CLH monogram) in fountain's wall.

This medal is usually seen as a two-sided medal (MACo 1932-034) and probably represents a trial strike or a sample piece. Alternatively, the medal was struck one-sided to leave space for different engravings on the reverse. Clubs sometimes chose to have a batch of uniface medals struck that could then be used as awards or commemorative pieces, as needs arose.

The circular medal measures 76mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. Its mintage is unknown.

References:   MACo 1932-034

The medal's obverse bears beautifully detailed vase within beaded border. Around, THE GARDEN CLUB / OF AMERICA

The reverse bears crossed laurel branches around bottom half, center field empty for inscription. Signed at lower right, HARRIET W FRISHMUTH 1934

References:   MACo 1935-007

This uniface variant's obverse bears a stylized tre with buds and birds. Around, · THE GARDEN CLUB · / OF AMERICA

The circular medal measures 74.8mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1938-007

The uniface medal bears a bunch of daffodils in various stages of bloom. In exergue, MARYLAND / DAFFODIL SOCIETY; signed at left, (vertical R M H monogram)

According to Dick Johnson, this is the only medal designed by Rachel Hawks.

The medal measures 39.2mm x 63.8mm and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.  No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1946-014

References:   MACo 1950-015

References:   BG 42