All Medals

The medal's obverse bears Americans from colonial to modern times walking, riding, and driving around the circumference, with some airplanes mixed in for good measure. In raised circular center, the American Bicentennial logo surrounded by AMERICAN REVOLUTION BICENTENNIAL / 1776 - 1976; signed with artist's (JOV monogram) at top right; at lower right, MACO / © 1975

The reverse bears square calendar panel in center, flanked by the PHiladelphia Christ Church steeple on the left and a launching Saturn V rocket on the right; Eagle holding streamer with THE / BICENTENNIAL / YEAR in its beak on top, Paul Revere on horseback at the bottom; at left bottom of calendar panel, 1976.

The American Bicentennial was a huge marketing extravaganza that caused a multitude of medals to be issued.   Marcel Jovine created a thematically appropripate design in his inimitable circular style. 

This is one of the few Calendar medals that were issued in different sizes.  A limited edition 3.75" medallion was offered to collectors in addtion to the normal 3" medal.  I am not aware of any medals in silver though I would not be terribly surprised to find out that a few had been struck.  The 1970s were a time of sky-high silver prices and 3" silver medals would have represented a significant investment.

References:   MACo 1975-134, Cal MA-1976

References:   MACo 1966-001-003, WWII 3

References:   ANS 10, Baxter 116, Marqusee 97

The obverse bears kneeling nude youth holding an airplane model in right hand, left hand on propeller; sun at left horizon. To right, date and signature 19 (circled BP) 41 / ©

The reverse bears dove in flight over fleecy clouds. Below, FLIGHT

Brenda Putnam wrote in the brochure accompanying the medal:

"Although this medal is issued during a preiod when the entire world is engaged in a gigantic struggle on land, at sea, and in the air, the theme of the medal is not warlike. The lad is no warrior, and the bird no eagle. Rather does the design concern itself with man's creative struggle to win supremacy in a vast new region, -the air. The war proves only too well the appalling destructive power of fighting and bombing planes. But beyond the war -and there will surely be a beyond- there are infinite possibilities for constructive and humanitarian activities in man's conquest of the air."

This medal was chosen as the 26th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1942. It measures 73mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company of New York, which struck 759 pieces in bronze and 100 in silver.

References:   MACo 1930-001-026, SoM 26, Marqusee 326

References:   BG 31

The uniface medallion bears two airships facing left and one balloon over stylized clouds at bottom. Around top, YEARS OF FRIENDLY RELATIONS; at left, large 35; at lower right, GOOD (logo) YEAR / LEADER IN / LIGHTER THAN / AIR CRAFT; signed at 5 o'clock, (RC monogram)

Based on my auction experience, this medallion is pretty rare.  It is also one of the signed medallions of the series so we can be sure that it was designed by Rene Paul Chambellan.

The circular medallion measures 108mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1948-041-x35

References:   SoM 121

The uniface medallion bears portrait of Henry de Forest Baldwin, facing right. Around top, · HENRY · DEFOREST · BALDWIN · ; to left, (CA) for Century Association; signed and dated under truncation, · MANSHIP · 1939 ·

Henry de Forest Baldwin (1862-1947) was a decendant of Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Baldwin started practicing law in New York City in 1888 and became an influential reformer and anti-corruption fighter. He was eulogized as a rock-ribbed "Connecticut Yankee" and a "noble Roman" upon his death in 1947. Baldwin served as president of the Century Association, a prestigious New York City club that also counted Manship among its members.

The circular medallion measures 100mm in diameter, 113.5mm in height when counting the loop, and was cast in bronze. It is not known how many medallions were cast.

References:   Murtha 395

References:   Cal MC-1986