All Medals

The obverse bears a female head (alternatively representing Greater New York or Columbia) crowned with laurel in high relief, facing right.

The reverse depicts a full figure of nude male facing left, standing erect, pouring water from classic vase resting on his shoulder. On Left and right, TO COMMEMORATE - THE COMPLETION / OF THE CATSKILL - AQUEDUCT / AN ACHIEVEMENT - OF CIVIC SPIRIT / SCIENTIFIC GENIUS - AND FAITHFUL LABOR / 1905 NEW - YORK 1917

This is the 35th official issue of the American Numismatic Society.

This medal was authorized by the Medal subcommittee of the Mayor's Catskill Aqueduct Celebration Committee and issued by the American Numismatic Society (ANS).

Daniel Chester French won this commission through his acquaintance with Robert de Forest, with whom he served on the board of trustees of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and who also was the president of the Mayor's Catskill Aqueduct Celebration Committee. The committee was convened to organize the celebrations in honor of the completion of the massive Catskill Aqueduct project. Construction had started twelve years earlier in 1905. By 1917 a 163-mile long system of tunnels and pipes had been completed to transport water from the Catskill Mountains to New York City.

Although the medal is commonly credited to Daniel Chester French, the reverse was actually designed by both French and Augustus Lukeman.

In 1933, Clyde Curlee Trees, the President of Medallic Art Company chose French's beautiful female head as the symbol of his company and obviously gained permission to use the design in many different ways. The head became not only the company logo but also appeared on bronze replica medals that were struck in an unknown quantity. As late as 1979 the Medallic Art Company issued gold-plated struck bronzes in the small diameter.

The original medals measured 76mm in diameter and were cast by the Medallic Art Company in a quantity of 57 bronze and 23 silver pieces. 13 of the silver pieces were supposedly disposed of but other sources report that 12 silver pieces survived.

Later, an unknown number of the smaller 38mm diameter brones were struck by the Medallic Art Company.

References:   ANS 35, Baxter 245, MACo 1917-007, Marqusee 177

The medal's obverse bears dog's head facing left, surrounded by heavy grass or fur border. To top and left, WESTMINSTER / KENNEL / CLUB / BENCH SHOW

The reverse bears palm frond and laurel sprig. Across, AWARDED / TO / ALTHEA FARM KENNELS / CH. NORA OF SIONHILL / BEST / WHIPPET / 1930

The circular medal measures 49.6mm in diameter and was struck in sterling silver by Dieges & Clust of New York.  No mintage is reported.

The obverse bears nude in Atlas-like pose, carrying pblic and industrial buildings on his shoulders. Around, WALTER KIDDE - CONSTRUCTORS; in bottom half to left and right of figure, 1900 - 1950; signed at lower right, (WC monogram).

The reverse bears tools of the constrution trade. In field, IDENTIFIED WITH / DISTINGUISHED / ENGINEERING AND / CONSTRUCTION FOR / HALF A CENTURY

The edge is marked MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y. BRONZE.

Walter Kidde was born in 1877 and graduated from the Stevens Institute of Technology in 1897. At the age of 23 Walter Kidde started Walter Kidde & Company. Walter Kidde & Company helped build ship yards at Port Newark and Kearny. He later joined the New Jersey State Highway Commission. During his time there, he oversaw the first traffic circle in Camden, the first clover-leaf intersection and most importantly the Pulaski Skyway in 1932.

Though he started out in the construction business, the company took a different turn and grew into a fire suppression equipment manufacturer. Kidde & Company had perfected carbon dioxide-based fire extinguishers and became a big supplier for industrial buildings and the military.

Walter Kidde died in 1943, seven years before this medal was commissioned to celebrate the company he had created.

The medal measures 73mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1948-001

References:   MACo 1968-018

The medal's obverse bears technician at control station in midst of gigantic turbine wheels and gears.

The reverse bears Westinghouse W logo in center field. Around, CHARLOTTE TURBINE (lighning bolt) GENERATOR PLANT / 1969 - CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF QUALITY - 1989

I am partial to well-down technical designs and I really like this medal's obverse. It is nice to see a corporate commemorative from this period that went beyond the "logo and motto" design.

Any information on the artist would be deeply appreciated.

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.

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 obverse bears "High Iron" workers on a steel beam dangling from a crane. To left, RIGGERS; on steel beam circled MY monogram.

The reverse bears two steel workers riveting a vertical beam while a third heats the rivets. Below, RIVETERS, signed MAHONRI YOUNG / ©.

Young had been sketching and modeling laborers and workers since his early days in Paris. The unsentimental depiction of manual labor was one of his passions, so it should not have surprised anyone that he chose constructions workers as the subject of his Society of Medalists contribution. He modeled no fewer than three designs for selection by the committee.He had observed the transformation of New York from old brownstone houses to skyscrapers when he lived in New York City in 1912.

This medal was chosen as the 30th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1944. It measures 73mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company of New York. Its reported production quantity is 713 pieces in bronze.

References:   MACo 1930-001-030, Marqusee 413,414, SoM 30

References:   Marqusee 219,220

The medal's obverse bears two wheel spokes dividing the medal into four equal segments, each with a different iconic American automobile, including a Ford Model T and an Army Jeep.

The reverse bears calendar panel inscribed into frontal view of antique, crank-started car; 1983 in license plate; signed in hood label, JOV

The circular medal measures 76.2mm in diameter and was struck in various materials by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. No mintages are rported and I am merely speculating that there was a variant struck in silver.

References:   MACo 1981-203, Cal MA-1983