All Medals

References:   Cal FM-1984

The medal's obverse bears a portrait of Charles Dickens, facing half right. Around top, CHARLES DICKENS; to left and right, ISSUED · IN / COMMEMORAT / ION · OF · THE - FIFTIETH / ANNIVERSARY / OF · CHARLES / SESSLER / 1932; signed along edge over left shoulder, SINNOCK

The reverse bears  a scene from "A Christmas Carol." Around, · 1882 · PHILADELPHIA · 1932 · / · RARE BOOKS (open book) FINE PRINTS · ; flanking scene, A / Christmas - Carol / 1843; signed in cursive under scene.

Charles Sessler was a rare book dealer whose store was located in a building on Philadelphia's Walnut Street. The building still exists and today houses the W. Graham Arader Gallery. Charles Sessler commissioned J.R. Sinnock to design this medal for his store's 50th anniversary.  The medal was given as a gift to select customers and friends.  Sessler wrote a dedication fthat was printed on the inside of the medal box's lid. It read:

1882—1932

I have called upon my favorite author,
Charles Dickens, to celebrate with me
the fiftieth anniversary of my career as
a bookseller.

The portrait is from an original photo-
graph of the immortal author.

The reverse ilustrates the frontispiece of
"A Christmas Carol" which is so aptly
called by A. Edward Newton, "the gayest
little picture in all the world." It is a
symbol of the happiness with which I
spend my time with books.

Presented to a few friends and patrons.

CHARLES SESSLER. 

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. A uniface variant is also known to exist.

References:   MACo 1931-062-001

References:   Cal HM-1996

The medallion's obverse bears bust of Gallatin facing right.

The reverse bears dedication in large letters, ALBERT GALLATIN / from / his friend / Paul Manship / March / 1955

Albert Gallatin (1881-1952) was an American collector, painter, and critic who founded the Gallery of Living Art at New York University in 1927. Nine years later he renamed his institution the Museum of Living Art. The Gallery of Living Art was one of the first in America to display works by contemporary European artists such as Pablo Picasso and Fernand Léger. In 1937, Gallatin became a member of the American Abstract Artists Group, which encouraged American artists to "break the rules" as European modernists had done.

Gallatin and Manship both had strong ties to New York City and Massachusetts, so it is not surprising that they knew each other well. Though Manship was a strong and lifelong traditionalist in his work, he obviously admired Gallatin and his passion for modern art. The inscription on the reverse reflects the tradition of artists dedicating works to one another out of friendship and professional respect.

The circular medallion measures 92.5mm in diameter and was cast in bronze. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears St. George slaying a dragon with Swastika on its wing. Around, ·· SAINT GEORGE ·· / OF ENGLAND

The reverse bears hand emerging from stylized waves for a "thumbs-up"; laurel branch across. Around top, FORWARD TO VICTORY; signed and dated at bottom, © 1941 MK

This medal was issued for the British-American Ambulance Corps. A companion piece was executed by Korbel and Manship and combined this medal's obverse with a Manship designed American Eagle.

The circular medal measures 38.3mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1941-036-001

The obverse bears lightly draped man clasping hand of nude man holding olive branch. Around, TO BEHOLD HOW GOOD AND HOW PLEASANT IT IS FOR / BRETHREN / TO DWELL TOGETHER IN UNITY; between heads, PSALM 133; below right figure, © P.D.

The reverse bears a plow over an olive spray. Around, THEY SHALL BEAT THEIR SWORDS / INTO PLOUGHSHARES; to left, © P D

This medal was chosen as the 48th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1953. Peter Dalton stated in his message "From the Artist":

"With the survival of the world so dependent on peaceful means, the verse from the 133rd Psalm seems to take on added significance."

This medal measures 73mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company which struck 657 pieces in bronze and an unknown number of pieces in silver (from a limited edition of 700).

References:   MACo 1930-001-048, SoM 48

The medal's depicts three shields bearing crown, eagle, sword and key, arrayed around cross on bishopric mitre. Below, 1808-1908.

The reverse bears scroll with names of bishops and archbishops who served at the Philadelphia diocese. Around, CENTENNIAL OF THE DIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA. PA. At bottom of centerfield, THE WHITEHEAD & HOAG CO. OF NEWARK, N.J.

The medal measures 50.6mm in diameter and was struck in silver by the Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears

The reverse bears

This is the third annual membership medal issued by the Medal Collectors of America.

The circular medal measures 63.6mm in diameter and was struck in silver and bronze. The mintage is reported as 39 pieces in bronze and 17 pieces in silver.

The medal's obverse bears a flaming torch of leadership, a sword of valor and a laurel wreath of peace; On circumference, UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY / SESQUICENTENNIAL; across, 1802 / 1952 / ©

The reverse shows a spread eagle below a rising sun standing on a shield, clutching arrows, and an inscribed ribbon with legend DUTY / HONOR / COUNTRY / WEST POINT / MDCCCII / USMA. A battle helmet of military service with the rod of authority are superimposed on the shield. On circumference, WEST POINT / DUTY / HONOR / COUNTRY.

This medal was commissioned for the anniversary celebration and distributed free of charge to schools, libraries, and civic groups for several years thereafter.

Laura Gardin Fraser maintained a long and productive relationship with Westpoint. In addition to this medal she designed West Point's Sylvanus Thayer medal in 1957 and. Finally, just before her death, she completed the American History bronze panels at the new library of the United States Military Academy at West Point. She had started working on them in 1935, "for love of country" as she said. Her patience was rewarded in 1964 when the panels were cast in bronze and installed at West Point.

The circular medal measures 50.8mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1951-020

References:   Murtha 213