Medallic Art Company

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

The medal's obverse bears busts of Martin L. Beistle, Henry E. Luhrs and J.S. Omwake. Around top, M.L. BEISTLE FOUNRER. H.E.LUHRS BUILDER. J.S. OMWAKE INCORPORATOR.; in exergue, THE BEISTLE COMPANY / FIFTIETH - ANNIVERSARY / 1900-1950

The medal's reverse bears selection of company's products, including toys and combed tissue decorations. In center field, TO FRIENDS OF / THE BEISTLE COMPANY / IN APPRECIATION OF YOUR / LOYALTY AND SUPPORT / WHICH MADE POSSIBLE OUR / FIFTY YEARS / OF SERVICE AND GROWTH / 1900 - 1950

The Beistle Company was founded in 1900 by Martin Luther Beistle.  Working in the basement of his home near Pittsburgh, he produced small imprints and calendars. The company still exists today.

The circular medal was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

References:   MACo 1948-002

References:   MACo 1950-015

The medal's obverse bears view of Hotel Commodore in New York City.  In exergue, HOTEL / COMMODORE / NEW YORK CITY

The reverse depicts an open door flanked by shrubbery. In exergue a quote by Emerson, "Happy is the house / that shelters a friend" / Emerson

The Commodore Hotel s located directly east of the Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It opened on January 28, 1919.

Herbert R. Stone, of the New York State Realty and Terminal Company, oversaw the decor of its 2,000 rooms. The lobby, called the "Most Beautiful Lobby in The World," was the single largest room in the hotel, with modern low ceilings and a waterfall designed by John B. Smeraldi. A group of conventioneers once told Bowman that "New York City was like a circus," so the next day Bowman, ever a showman, arranged to place a circus, complete with elephants, in the grand ballroom. Another popular spot was the Century Room, which boasted its own orchestra.

On May 11, 1977, the now-bankrupt railroad's asset manager, Victor Palmieri, told the city that the Commodore had lost $1.5 million in 1976 and might have to be shuttered. At that point, the Trump Organization, partnered with the Hyatt Corporation, bought the Commodore.

At a cost of $100 million, Donald Trump gutted and renovated the building.  On September 25, 1980 the hotel reopened as the Grand Hyatt Hotel New York. The Trump-Hyatt partnership would last for another 13 years before it ended in legal suits and countersuits. In 1996 the Pritzker family finally bought the Trump share for $146 million.

The circular medal measures 76.2mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1950-017

The obverse bears standing angular God creating man and woman, sun, planets, and stars. Around, IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED - THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH

The reverse bears seated God with dividers. Around, AND GOD SAW EVERYTHING THAT HE HAD MADE, AND, BEHOLD, IT WAS VERY GOOD; signed at lower left, (AW monogram) ©

This medal was chosen as the 43rd issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1951.

It measures 73mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported mintage is 725 pieces in bronze.

References:   MACo 1930-001-043, SoM 43

References:   MACo 1930-001-044, SoM 44

References:   MACo 1951-050

The medal's obverse bears rider galloping to right, facing back with pistol held straight out. To left, PONY EXPRESS; to right, TEN DAYS TO / SAN FRANCISCO

The reverse bears settlers with Conestoga wagon drawn by oxen, mountain and sun in background. Below, NEW FRONTIERS / 18 (cattle skull) 49 / © JAMES EARLE FRASER SC

The medal's reverse is very familiar to coin collectors who know the motif from the Oregon Trail half dollar. Fraser was a traditionalist who wrote in the brochure that accompanied the medal:

"... wherever possible we should use the lore of our people. With this thought in mind I selected two of the most romantic, hazardous and important subjects of our pioneer days, the Prairie Schooner and the Pony Express."

This medal was chosen as the 45th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1952.

The circular medals measure 73mm in diameter and were struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company. The reported mintage is 964 pieces in bronze.  There are two versions of the silver medal.  The first is the from the 1970's edition that was limited to 700 pieces with no mintage reported. The second is a telemarketing reissue from 1993 with an estimated mintage of 300 pieces.

References:   MACo 1930-001-45, SoM 45

The medal's obverse bears bust of Jerry Land facing right in circular center field. Around, THE VICE ADMIRAL "JERRY" LAND / MEDAL / (star) (star) (star) THE SOCIETY OF (star) (star) (star) / NAVAL ARCHITECTS AND MARINE ENGINEERS

The reverse bears organization's logo flanked by two dolphins over cartouche and streamer. In cartouche, FOR OUTSTANDING / ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THE / MARINE FIELD; signed between folds of streamer, PM

The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers was founded in 1893 as a U.S. engineering society.  Today, the group has members in almost every seafaring and offshore energy nation and has various international chapters known as sections.

The medal was named for Vice Admiral Emory S. "Jerry" Land and is awarded for "Outstanding Accomplishment in the Marine Field." Awardees need not be members of the organization. It has been awarded annually since its inception in 1952 when it was awarded to Vice Admiral Land himself.

Emory S. Land (1879-1971) was an officer in the United States Navy, noted for his contributions to naval architecture, particularly in submarine design. Notable assignments included serving as Chief of the Navy's Bureau of Construction and Repair during the 1930s, and as Chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission during World War II. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his work on submarine design and construction and for work in the war zone.

The hexagonal medal measures 50.7mm x 72.7mm, including the loop. It was struck in gold-plated bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1952-009