All Medals

References:   MACo 1930-001-044, SoM 44

The obverse bears portrait of Andreas Vesalius with his signature to the right.  Signed at left, Albert d'Andrea.

The reverse bears small centaur in abstract wreath. In center field, TENTH / MD / ANNIVERSARY / 1967; around, ANDREAS VESALIUS - SYMBOL OF MEDICINE AND ART

Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564) was a Flamish physician and author of "De humanis corporis fabrica," one of the most influential books on human anatomy.  He is often called the founder of modern human anatomy.  He died in debt on the Greek island of Zakynthos after initially surviving a ship wrreck which stranded him there.

The circular medal measures 76.3mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1967-159

The medal's obverse bears bearded Socrates, facing left, discussing philosphy with three disciples, facing right. Around, SOCRATES DISCUSSING WITH HIS DISCIPLES; signed at lower right, (IM monogram)

The reverse bears bearded Plato writing on tablet in his lap; muse to his right. Around, THE PHILOSOPHER IN THE GRIP OF INSPIRATION; signed at lower right, (IM monogram) / C

This medal was chosen as the 50th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. The original models bore no legend.  The Society's advisory board loved the design but, at the urging of Paul Manship, the legends were added.

While SoM medals usually exhibit very high relief, this medal is unlike any other in the series.  The relief is flat, and the design quite sparse. It's more like a sketch than like a fully worked bas-relief.  Nevertheless, through the thoughtful application of tan patina, the medal gains depth and is quite stunning in its simplicity.

The circular medal measures 73mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company.  The mintage was reported as 690 pieces in bronze. The number of silver pieces is not known but the edition was limited to 700.

References:   MACo 1930-001-050, SoM 50

The medal's obverse bears view of One IBM Plaza in Chicago, Illinois.

The reverse bears legend, One / IBM Plaza / Dedication / September 20 / 1972 / Chicago / Illinois

This very bare medal is actually quite interesting in its minimalist design. The building is of course an ugly 1970's sky-scraper, but the artist chose to forgo the traditional perspective rendering and instead go for an architectural view of the building.

I appreciate this medal as a fairly unique piece of architectural memorabilia.

The circular medal measures 64mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears giant Colossus statue straddling harbor entrance with ship sailing underneath; view of harbor and island behind. Signed on left foundation, DAB

The reverse bears calendar panel on sail of Greek sailing vessel; birds in sky. At top, 2003

The Colossus of Rhodes calendar medal was the sixth issue in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World series. It was probably designed by Mark Frost and certainly sculpted by Douglas A. Birdwell. The medal is drilled at the bottom to allow it to be pin-mounted on a display stand. 

The circular medal measures 76.4mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company of Dayton, Nevada. No mintages are reported.  The bronze pieces originally sold for $34.95, the silver pieces for $169.

References:   Cal MA-2003

The obverse bears bust of Robert P. Perkins in Red Cross uniform, facing left. Around, · ROBERT · P · PERKINS · - · ROMA · MCMXVIII ·

The reverse bears group of mother and three children in center. Around, (cross) AMERICAN (cross) RED (cross) CROSS (cross) IN (cross) ITALY (cross); below, CARITAS; signed above group, · P · M ·

Robert P. Perkins (1862-1924) was president of the Bigelow-Hartford Carpet Company and served as the American Red Cross commissioner in Italy during World War I.

Manship also served in the Red Cross in Italy but nearly died from pneumonia brought on by dreadful weather and a major bout of influenza. He was sent to a hospital in Padua and when he was finally well enough to travel, to Rome, where he stayed at the Grand Hotel, the only one in the city with heat. Manship got to know Perkins while recuperating in Rome.

With this design Manship expressed his gratitude to Perkins and the Red Cross, but also his compassion for the fatherless families left behind in war-torn Europe. The images do not do justice to this medallion's massive presence. The bust rises another 11mm over an already thick base for a total height of 20mm; a typical electronic coin scale will capitulate before the medallion's weight.

This medallion probably represents an early cast of Manship's design and is likely unique. It was most likely cast from his preliminary plaster after he returned to the States. It is larger than the 105mm medallion and differs from that version in legend and signature placement.

The medallion measures 112mm in diameter and was cast in bronze by the artist. It is probably a unique specimen and one of the prize pieces in any collection of 20th Century American Medallic Art.

The medal's obverse depicts a tree in front of waterfall and wilderness in center field. Around, (star) INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY (star) / 1898 - 1948

The reverse bears dedication in center field: Presented to / in recognition of / more than a quarter / century of loyal / service with the / International Paper Company / or its subsidiaries; around, (star) FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY (star) / 1898 - 1948

The company was incorporated January 31, 1898, upon the merger of 18 pulp and paper mills in the northeastern United States. Its founders and first two presidents were William Augustus Russell and Hugh J. Chisholm. The newly formed company supplied 60 percent of all newsprint in the country.

This is another very nice Chambellan medal that exists in different variants. I know of a Canadian version of this medal that differs in the text on the obverse and the edge design on the reverse.

The medal measures 62mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

References:   MACo 1948-045

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Francis Cardinal Spellman, facing left. Around, ✰ FRANCIS CARDINAL SPELLMAN ✰ / GOLDEN JUBILEE; signed over shoulder at right, © ALBINO / MAN / CA

The reverse bears Cardinal Spellman's coat of arms. Underneath, MAY 14; around, ✰ ORDINATION TO THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD ✰ / ROME 1916-1966 NEW YORK;

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

References:   MACo 1966-003

The medal's obverse bears a military doctor and a nurse standing at invalid soldier's side, hospital building, trees and another nurse with invalid on crutches in background. Signed in exergue, René Baudichon

The reverse bears cross in circle over background of laurel, empty cartouche at bottom.

The circular medal measures 45mm in diameter and was struck in bronze in an unknown mintage.