All Medals

The uniface medal bears bust of Theodore Roosevelt, r. Signed and dated above shoulder, J E / FRASER / 19 © 20; at lower right, MDCCCLVIII / MCMXIX· / ··

This small medal is one of many designs that bear Fraser's Theodore Roosevelt bust.  It was obviously a very popular design!  I could not locate this particular medal in any of the literature I have, so any information would be welcome.

The circular medal measures 38.1mm in diameter.

The obverse bears art deco city scape with factories and skyscrapers surrounding a giant generator building; clouds and sun rays above; house and train engines below. In exergue, * ORDER OF * / MERIT

The reverse bears large silver letter W over palm frond. Around, WESTINGHOUSE AWARD; in lower half, TO / (blank) / WHOM HIS FELLOW / MEN DELIGHT TO / HONOR

The Westinghouse Order of Merit was awarded by Westinghouse Electric Corporation as its highest form of employee recognition. Both management and technical employees were eligible to receive the award.

The cicular medallion has a diameter of 101mm. It was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The mintage is not reported.

References:   MACo 1935-035, Marqusee 110

The obverse bears a sower scattering seeds under a stylized sun. Above, WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH; in exergue, LAWRIE / ©

The reverse bears a sickle poised over a wheat ear and a nettle. Across, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP

Lee Lawrie was fascinated by the sower and reused this motif time and again in many projects. Originally conceived for the Nebraska State Capital, where it adorns the dome in the form of a giant statue, he also used it on the Rockefeller Center in New York. In the artist's own words:

"All of us are sowers, and we should not expect life to yield much in return for little, or little for nothing, or anything at all for the mere wishing - either in a material or in a higher, abstract way."

This medal was chosen as the fifth issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1932. It measures 73mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported production quantity is 1,617 pieces in bronze and 35 in silver.

References:   MACo 1930-001-005, Marqusee 241, SoM 5

The obverse bears two standing female figures. The taller is Columbia, arms spread wide holding the United States. The youthful maiden represents the Louisiana Purchase Territory. Emblematic of her reception into the union, the maiden is divesting herself of the cloak of France, the material decorated with bees, the emblem of Napoleon. In the background is the rising sun, marking the dawn of a new era of progress to the nation. Around, UNIVERSAL EXPOSITION - SAINT LOUIS - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; below the year MCMIV.

The reverse bears an eagle over architectural tablet with inscription BRONZE MEDAL / LOUISIANA PURCHASE / EXPOSITION. Two dolphins symbolizing the nation's eastern and western ocean boundaries frame the tablet on the sides.

The Saint Louis Award Medal is one of Weinman's earliest commissions for a medal, and one that made him justifiably famous.

The medal was created in five different versions and four different shapes to distinguish between Grand Prizes, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Commemorative medals.

The circular bronze medal has a diameter of 64mm (2.5in) and weights approximately 105 grams. The U.S. Mint at Philadelphia struck 10,000 bronze award medals in brass.

The medal's obverse bears muscular nude male figure in dynamic flying pose, cradling globe in sling made from cable loops. Around top edge, SAMVEL FINLEY BREESE MORSE MEDAL; signed below feet at right, (LGF monogram)

The medal's reverse bears sextant over compass rose in center, fleur-de-lis and two shrouded nudes at top. Around, AMERICAN - N - GEOGRAPHICAL · SOCIETY ·

Samuel Finley Breese Morse (1791-1872) was a successful portrait painter before he became world-famous by contributing significantly to the the invention of a single-wire telegraph system. He was the co-inventor of the still used Morse code and spent the second phase of his life in telegraphy-related pursuits. His role as telegraphy's inventor and near-monopolist was challenged several times and while his achievements were never denied, the scope of his patents was eventually limited by the famous O'Reilly v. Morse Supreme Court decision.

The Samuel Finley Breese Morse Medal was established as an award in 1902. The medal is awarded by the American Geographical Society for "achievements and pioneering in geographical research." The AGS itself was founded in 1851 by 31 wealthy New Yorkers in response to the request of Lady Franklin to search for her husband and his voyagers lost in the Polar Franklin Expedition.

The circular medallion measures an impressive 101.6mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

Many thanks to a collector who wishes to remain anonymous for sending me the images of this beautiful medal.

References:   MACo 1928-021

The plaque bears the figure of Sir Galahad next to his horse, looking into a rising sun; on shield below, THE NEW CHIVALRY; signed V D BRENNER on right.

The medal was commissioned by Henry Ezekiel Jackson, a minister and prolific lecturer and writer. He attempted to start a movement called the "New Chivalry" whose purpose it was to provide an "education in correct thinking about sex matters."

Jackson believed that the use of a symbol would be an effective way of promoting his cause by allowing men to demonstrate willingness "to show their colors and express their loyalty to them." He commissioned Brenner to create a design "of which he may be privately conscious and proud, and which he may display as occasion and good taste suggest." The design was struck in three forms: bronze, sterling silver and solid 18kt gold.

Enlisting the help of Brenner was not inexpensive and only the generosity of a friend and neighbor in Montclair allowed Jackson to secure Brenner's services. Per Jackson's instructions, Brenner used the Galahad figure from a famous painting by George Frederick Watts as the basis for his design.

This design later became a stock design for the Medallic Art Company.

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Louis Schoenfeld, facing left. Around top, LOVIS SCHOENFELD - MDCCCXL - MCMX ·; signed to right of neck, M.P. NIELSEN / FECIT

The reverse bears laurel branch along left edge. Across, NOV. 30TH / · 1840 / - · + · - / NOV. 18TH / · 1910 / - · + · -; around bottom right, JOS. MAYER INC.

Louis Schoenfeld (1840-1910) was a Seattle businessman who founded the Standard Furniture Company in 1864.  Originally from Virginia City, Nevada, he relocated family and business to Seattle in 1887.

The circular medal measures 34.9mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by Joseph Mayer, Inc. of Seattle, Washington.

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Lincoln, facing left. Around, ABRAHAM - LINCOLN; to left and right, 1809 - 1865; signed around bottom, J.E.ROINÉ COPYRIGHT (MACO mark)

The reverse bears wreath formed by laurel and oak branch. At top, LIBERATOR, in center field, · EMANCIPATION / · PROCLAMATION · / SIGNED / · JANUARY· FIRST· 1863 · / Abraham Lincoln; at bottom, 1909 / CENTENNIAL · COMMEMORATION

The medal was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.  No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1909-005