American Art-Union

The medal's obverse bears bust of Washington Allston, facing right.  Around left and right, WASHINGTON - ALLSTON; signed at bottom, P. P. DUGGAN DEL.  C. C. WRIGHT SC.

The reverse bears standing Columbia with American shield, crowning two artists, one holding sculptor's mallet, the other painter's pallet and brushes, on step below. Around top, AMERICAN - ART-UNION; signed and dated on steps, P.P. DUGGAN DEL. / 1847 - C.C. WRIGHT SC.

Washington Allston (1779-1843) was a famous American painter and poet who was born in Waccamaw River, South Carolina. After traveling a lot, he spent most of his later life in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  He is buried in Harvard Square. A western suburb of Boston, Allston, is named after him.

This was the first medal in the American Art-Union medal series.

The circular medal measures 64.2mm in diameter and was struck in bronze at the U.S. Mint. No mintage is reported.

Many thanks to eBayer Pat who granted me permission to use the images of the silver variant and to Tom Rogahn who pointed them out to me.

References:   AAU 1, Storer 1860, Marqusee 409

The medal's obverse bears bust of Gilbert Stuart, facing left. Around left and right, GILBERT - STUART. Signed under truncation, C.C. WRIGHT F.; at lower edge,  S. ELLIS DEL.

The reverse bears Columbia with American shield on steps crowning two artists, one a painter holding a pallet and brushes, one a sculptor cradling a mallet in the crook of his arm. Around left and right, AMERICAN - ART-UNION; signed and dated on steps, P.P.D.D - C.C.W.F. - 1848

Gilbert Charles Stuart (1755-1828) was an American painter, best known for his portraits. He was born in Rhode Island but practiced his art in Newport, New York, Philadelphia and finally in Boston.  He is buried in the Old South Burial Ground of the Boston Common.

This was the second medal issued by the American Art-Union.

The circular medal measures 64.2mm in diameter and was struck in bronze, white metal, and silver at the U.S. Mint. No mintage is reported for any variant but it is believed that the one silver piece that is known (Stacks & Bowers, Americana Auction 2005) might be unique.

References:   AAU 2, Storer 2042, Marqusee 401

The medal's obverse bears bust of John Trumbull. Around left and right, JOHN - TRUMBULL; signed on truncation, at bottom, B. HUGHES DEL.

The reverse bears Columbia with American shield on steps crowning two artists, one a painter holding a pallet and brushes, one a sculptor cradling a mallet in the crook of his arm. Around left and right, AMERICAN - ART-UNION; signed and dated on steps, P.P.D.D - C.C.W.F. - 1849

John Trumbull (1756-1843) was an American painter and is often referred to as "The painter of the Revolution."  His painting of the Declaration of Independence was used on the reverse side of the bicentennial $2 bill.  He served in the Revolutionary War as an aide to George Washington, a position from which he resigned in a dispute over his commission date.

This was the third and last medal issued by the American Art-Union. 

The circular medal measures 64mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the U.S. Mint.  No mintages are reported but the silver variant is exceedingly rare, with only a handful of pieces known to exist.

References:   AAU 3, Marqusee 404