All Medals

References:   Baxter 140, CoF 4, Marqusee 70

The medallion's obverse bears portrait of younf Maxfield Parrish, facing right. Around, at left and right, · MAXFIELD · / · PARRISH ·

The reverse bears rearing Pegasus facing right before sun.

Maxfield Parrish (1870-1966) was an American painter and illustrator active in the first half of the 20th century. He is known for his distinctive saturated hues and idealized neo-classical imagery.

Parrish and Manship were both members of Augustus Saint-Gaudens' Cornish Art Colony in Cornish, New Hampshire. Saint-Gaudens had started the art colony in 1885 and attracted a group of friends, assistants, promising young art students and hangers-on.  Parrish and his wife moved to Cornish in 1898 and built a home that was later nicknamed "The Oaks."  The home was surrounded by beautiful landscapes that inspired many of Parrish’s drawings.

The art colony started falling apart after Saint-Gaudens' death in 1907 but Parrish and Manship had another geographical location in common.  Both shared a love for the Cape Anne area of Massachusetts. Parrish had lived in Annisquam for a while and Manship fell in love with the areas as well and bought a vacation home in Gloucester.

The circular medallion measures around 84mm in diameter and is cast in bronze. The depicted medallions are early designs.  In the finished medallion Pegasus is more detailed and the reverse is signed and dated.

References:   Murtha 65

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.

The medal's obverse bears seated Franklin, facing half right. Around, NATIONAL EXPORT EXPOSITION

The reverse bears wreath and legend, AWARDED / BY THE / NATIONAL / EXPORT EXPOSITION / TO / (engraved Partrick Carter & Wilkins) / ON RECOMMENDATION OF THE / FRANKLIN INSTITUTE / PHILADELPHIA / 1899

The National Export Exposition ran from September 14, 1899 to November 30, 1899 and was intended to provide

It was supported by Congress, various Chambers of Commerce, Boards of Trade, and other corporate interests, as well as the city of Philadelphia and private citizens. In essence, it was an international industrial fair to demonstrate American goods to an international audience, but also to give American manufacturers easier access to international manufacturing technology.

The circular medal measures 50.7mm in diameter and was struck in silver by the August C. Frank Company of Philadelphia.

References:   MACo 1966-001-004, WWII 4

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.

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

The medal's obverse bears standing Athena/Minerva holding shield with one hand and oil lamp on pedestal with the other. In exergue, NATURAE SPECIES RATIOQUE

The medal's reverse bears six portrait busts, each surrounded by a wreath and labeled with last name: LAPHAM / PECKHAM / CHAMBERLIN / HOY / IRVING / ALLEN; below, THE WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF / SCIENCES ARTS AND LETTERS / 1870 - 1920; signed in bottom right corner, LC

The Latin phrase on the obverse translates to "Nature and her law." Athena, or Minerva in her Roman incarnation, is the goddess of wisdom and together with the oil lamp symbolizes the quest for knowledge and understanding.

References:   MACo 1920-003

The medal's obverse bears bust of Jerry Land facing right in circular center field. Around, THE VICE ADMIRAL "JERRY" LAND / MEDAL / (star) (star) (star) THE SOCIETY OF (star) (star) (star) / NAVAL ARCHITECTS AND MARINE ENGINEERS

The reverse bears organization's logo flanked by two dolphins over cartouche and streamer. In cartouche, FOR OUTSTANDING / ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THE / MARINE FIELD; signed between folds of streamer, PM

The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers was founded in 1893 as a U.S. engineering society.  Today, the group has members in almost every seafaring and offshore energy nation and has various international chapters known as sections.

The medal was named for Vice Admiral Emory S. "Jerry" Land and is awarded for "Outstanding Accomplishment in the Marine Field." Awardees need not be members of the organization. It has been awarded annually since its inception in 1952 when it was awarded to Vice Admiral Land himself.

Emory S. Land (1879-1971) was an officer in the United States Navy, noted for his contributions to naval architecture, particularly in submarine design. Notable assignments included serving as Chief of the Navy's Bureau of Construction and Repair during the 1930s, and as Chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission during World War II. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his work on submarine design and construction and for work in the war zone.

The hexagonal medal measures 50.7mm x 72.7mm, including the loop. It was struck in gold-plated bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1952-009