All Medals

References:   ANS 24, Baxter 300, Marqusee 333

The medal's obverse bears

The reverse bears

This is the fourth 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 36 pieces in bronze and 28 pieces in silver.

The obverse bears an elegant woman gazing right; two dolphins meld into field. Around, ONTARIO SENDS GREETINGS TO THE SEA

The reverse bears a depiction of Taft's Fountain of the Great Lakes, with the figures of five young women pouring water from one shell to another. Around, ONTARIO MICHIGAN HURON SUPERIOR ERIE; at lower right, L.T. ©

Lorado Taft is best known for his monumental sculptures, and among these, for his Fountain of the Great Lakes. In the brochure accompanying the medal he wrote:

"As a small boy I was fascinated with the story of the Danaides, - those beautiful sisters who were eternally occupied in the hopeless task of carrying water in a sieve, - no, in forty-nine sieves. To my youthful imagination, they made the most levely groups, and it was unspeakably pathetic to think of them thus punished for killing their husbands - something that might happen in any family!"

This medal was chosen as the eleventh issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1935. Apparently, Taft first proposed a peace-related theme but changed his mind and instead picked a lighter hearted theme.

This medal measures 73mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported production quantity of this medal is 1,025 in bronze and 100 in silver.

References:   MACo 1930-001-011, Marqusee 374, SoM 11

The uniface medal bears kneeling hunter, facing right, in pose of arrow just released Between hunter's face and bow, SAGI- / TTARIUS; at lower left, in tiny letters, © MACO / 1967

Chambellan's Zodiac medals were issued more than a decade after his death and are probably based on designs he made in the early 1930s when he was working on the RKO Roxy Theater.  The 1960s saw renewed interest in astrology and the signs of the zodiac arising in part from the counter-cultural hippie movement and its subsequent adoption into mainstream culture.

Sagittarius is the ninth astrological sign, which is associated with the constellation Sagittarius and spans 240–270th degrees of the zodiac. Under the tropical zodiac, the sun transits this sign between approximately November 23 and December 21. Greek mythology associates Sagittarius with the centaur Chiron, who mentored Achilles in archery.

Along with Aries and Leo, Sagittarius is a part of the Fire Trigon. Its ruling planet is Jupiter.

The circular medal measures 69.7mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1967-151-012

The obverse bears head of Dionysus above kylix with hands flanking it on left and right; sculptor's tools, lyre, books, and brushes around edge. Around Dionysus' head, SALMAGVNDI · CLVB

The reverse shows a female figure holding a scroll in one hand and a laurel in the other; sun over stylized waves to left, owl to right. Flanking figure, HONOR · ET / MERITVS; signed at bottom left, U·A·RICCI / SC

Every medal is edge inscribed to its recipient.

The Salmagundi is the oldest existing art club in America. Founded in late 1871 by a group composed of sculptors, painters, illustrators, an actor and a writer who gathered weekly to discuss art and sketch. Owing to their diverse backgrounds they adopted the name "Salmagundi Sketch Club" in 1877 after Washington Irving's Salmagundi Papers. The club moved about for many years, dropping the "Sketch" from their title in 1905, and finally settled for good at 47 Fifth Avenue in 1918. Their roster has included some of America's greatest artists including Edwin A. Abbey, William Merritt Chase, F. Childe Hassam, John LaFarge, Edward Potthast, Howard Pyle, Louis C. Tiffany and N.C. Wyeth.

The medal of honor and merit was designed in 1930 to be awarded to a member chosen by the Executive Committee for outstanding service to the club. This medal was designed around the same time that Paul Manship was designing his famous Dionysus medal for the Society of Medalists and the parallels in imagery are striking. The camaraderie of the club always focused around good food and especially drink. The first beer ever served on Fifth Avenue was at Salmagundi. The symbols of a book, lyre and tools for painting and sculpting allude to the diversity of the club's membership. The medal has been awarded 52 times since its inception.

The circular medallion measures 79.8mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1938-006

The medal's obverse bears view ov bridge with Springfield city buildings in background. At bottom, AUGUST 3 1922; signed atlower right, NEWMAN

The reverse bears laurel wreath. In center field, FROM THE / PIONEERS DOWN / THROUGH THE / WORLD WAR / LOVE OF FREEDOM / LINKED THE / GENERATIONS; around, HAMPDEN COUNTY MEMORIAL BRIDGE

In 1915, the Hampden County Commissioners opened hearings to discuss construction of a new bridge, but it wasn't until the winter of 1918/19 that the location and overall design of the present concrete arch bridge were finally agreed upon. The completed bridge was opened to traffic on August 3, 1922. At the ceremonies held that day, the bridge was dedicated as a memorial to "those who had died as pioneers, and soldiers in the Revolutionary, Civil and Foreign Wars."

The circular medal was struck by the Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1971-013-005, WR 5

The medal's obverse bears three figures facing left, nude winged male in center, holding laurel crowns in both hands, flanked by women wearing toga-like dresses; woman at right holding what appears to be an apple. Signed with artists (EZ monogram) on small shield at lower left.

The reverse bears legend only. In center field within decorative border, THE / MR AND MRS / FRANK G LOGAN / MEDAL / AWARDED TO / CHARLES LOCKE / 1935; around, THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

Charles Wheeler Locke (1899-1983) was a painter, lithographer, illustrator and teacher.  He was born in Cincinatti, Ohio on August 31, 1899. He studied at the Cincinatti Art Academy and the New York Art Students' League with Joseph Pennell. He was a teacher at the Art Students' League when he won this award.

The medal is a beautiful example of late art nouveau, early art deco design. In my opinion, Zettler's medallic works are easily on a par with the works of the best French and American artists of the period.

The circular medal measures 75mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1919-002

References:   Murtha 365