All Medals

References:   SoM 69

This medal's obverse bears the seal of New York City. Around, · INTERNATIONAL ···· PHILATELIC · EXHIBITION · NEW · YORK · / MCMXIII; signed over roman year numerals, MAX BACHMANN.

The reverse bears a laurel branch at left. On right side, SOUVENIR / OF / OFFICIAL / BANQUET / OCTOBER 30TH / 1913; marked STERLING under branch.

Max Bachman also created the award medal for the Exhibition. It shares this medal's obverse but has a different legend on the reverse.

The circular medal measures 41mm in diameter and was struck in Sterling silver. No mintages are reprorted.

The medal's obverse bears figure of Issachar carrying a bowl full of fruit, a donkey laden with sacks nibbling on a tree shoot in background to his right; sun to his left. At top, ISSACHAR; signed in exergue, © 1970 - E. WEISTROP

The reverse bears Star of David, symbols and names from all twelve medals. In center, THE / TWELVE / TRIBES OF / ISRAEL

Issachar was the ninth son of Jacob, the fifth son he had with Leah. Said Jacob:

"Issachar will take upon himself the burden and the study of the Torah and all the other tribes will come to him and ask him to decide their doubts on legal questions."

Jacob also gave him the blessing that the fruits of his land would be exceedingly large.

This is the ninth medal in Elizabeth Weistrop's Twelve Tribes of Israel series. The circular medal measures 43mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintages are reported.

References:   MACo 1969-100-009, TToI 9

The medal's obverse bears busts of Roosevelt and Alves, slight left. Around, PRES. THEOD. ROOSEVELT / U·S·AMERICA -  : 1906 : - PRES. RODRIGUES ALVES / E·U·BRAZIL; signed at right, (EL monogram)

The reverse bears legend, TERCEIRA / CONFERENCIA / INTERNACIONAL / AMERICANA / RIO DE JANEIRO / BRAZIL / 1906

James G. Blaine, a United States politician, Secretary of State and presidential contender, first proposed establishment of closer ties between the United States and its southern neighbors and proposed international conferences to further that goal. Blaine hoped that ties between the United States and its southern counterparts would open Latin American markets to US trade and prevent European nations from meddling in the Americas.

The Second Pan-American Conference in Mexico had created the Pan-American Railway Committee and tasked it with the creation of a railway connecting the various American republics. Their initial report was presented at this conference and further, more detailed planning took place.

The circular medal measures 45mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. No mintage is reported.

The plaquette's obverse bears a Phoenix rising from a fire. At top, 1851 - 1926; at bottom, PHOENIX MUTUAL / LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

The reverse bears company seal below COMMEMORATING / SEVENTY FIVE YEARS OF / CONTINUOUS PUBLIC SERVICE; in banner to left and rght of seal, HOME OFFICE / HARTFORD, CONN.

The uniface medal bears Demeter, Greek goddess of Agriculture, aided in her efforts by Sun, Sea, and Soil, bearing bundles of grain; scientist and chemical laboratory equipment in background.  Around, FRITZSCHE BROTHERS, INCORPORATED / 1871 · SEVENTY-FIFTH · ANNIVERSARY · 1946

Fritzsche Brothers was established on August 28, 1871, at 62 Cedar Street, New York City, as a subsidiary of chemical maker Schimmel & Co., of Leipzig, Germany, for the purpose of importing and selling essential oils. After more than 80 years in business the company sold itself to Dodge & Olcott, which in turn was bought by German chemical giant BASF, which then sold the unit off to Givaudan.

The anniversary medal bears the design of a previously inaugurated Fritzsche Brothers award medal.  As the brochure accompanying the medal explained, combining Demeter with a modern scientist symbolizes the chemical industry's higher purpose of "converting Nature's bounty to the needs of Man."

The medal usually comes mounted on a wooden paperweight. Establishing the weight and potential edge markings would require the object's disassembly, which I didn't want to do. If anyone has a loose medal and can take the measurements, I'd appreciate the missing data.

References:   MACo 1946-011

References:   CoF 8, Marqusee 293

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Robert Lincoln McNeil, facing half right. Around top, ROBERT · LINCOLN · McNEIL; signed over left shoulder, ABRAM / BELSKIE Sc.

The reverse bears aerial view of corporate buildings. Across, 50TH / 1914 - ANNIVERSARY - 1964 / McNEIL / LABORATORIES, INC.

Robert Lincoln McNeil was the son of McNeil's Drugstore founder Robert McNeil. The drugstore had been opened in 1879, when recent Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science graduate Robert McNeil purchased a retail drugstore to which the new owner added a small manufacturing laboratory and a doctors' supply business.  In 1914, the year this medal celebrates as the founding year, the two McNeils formed a partnership called the Firm of Robert McNeil. By 1925, the manufacturing business was doing so well that they discontinued the retail business entirely. In 1933, they changed the company's name to reflect this change in focus.

The company was purchased by Johnson & Johnson in 1959 but obviously continued as a somewhat independent entity for some more years, at least long enough to celebrate a 50th anniversary in 1964.

Interestingly, the issuer of this medal, I assume it was the two sons of Robert Lincoln McNeil, Robert and Henry, chose to honor Robert Lincoln (the father) rather than Robert (the grandfather), who might be regarded as the original founder. I would guess that Robert Lincoln McNeil had been the driving force behind the transformation to a manufacturing business.

The circular medal measures 63.4mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1964-126