Robbins Co.

The plaquette bears a winged female figure standing on globe, carrying book in one hand and scroll in outstretched other; flanking her are two pedestals carrying oil lamps of learning and BHS monogram in wreath. In exergue, THE CHARLES E. FRENCH / MEDAL

This plaquette is somewhat enigmatic. It is clearly well executed but not signed. Storer reports two medals (#824 and #1145) that could match, and the one awarded to the three highest ranking seniors in the five graduating classes of Braintree High School matches best with the monogram in the pedestals.

The plaquette measures 99mm x 64.5mm and was struck in sterling silver. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears barefoot, aproned metalworker, holding chasing hammer and graver, kneeling on dais in dynamic pose, facing right; anvil to his left. Around top, THE ROBBINS COMPANY; on dais, CRAFTSMEN / IN METAL

The reverse bears legend flanked by laurel branches: COMPLIMENTS / OF / THE ROBBINS CO. / ATTLEBORO / MASSACHUSETTS / ADVERTISING SPECIALTIES / BADGES - SOUVENIRS / ~ MEDALS ~ / COLLEGE AND SCHOOL / JEWELRY

Medals or plaquettes made to showcase and advertise a maker's services were called "storecards" and quite common in the first half of the 20th century. This is probably the nicest storecard  in my posession and it is full of ambiguity.  The young metal worker appears to be kneeling in revery, but in a pose that could also be seen as a dynamic leap. His left hand holding the graver is held out straight whereas the right hand holding the chasing hammer dangles relaxed behind him. I find myself intrigued by the design.

The circular medal measures 79.3mm in diameter and was strucki n bronze by the Robbins Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts. Neither artist nor mintage or date are known to me and I would appreciate any additional information.

The medal's obverse bears portrait bust of Rudyard Kipling, facing right. Around top, RUDYARD KIPLING; signed above shoulder at left, KILENYI

The medal's reverse bears group of classical female figures on a hilltop holding palm frond, lyre, and book. Signed at bottom, (JK monogram)

Joseph Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was an English journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist. Kipling is famous for works in various fields, including "The Jungle Book,"  "Gunga Din," and "The Gods of the Copybook Headings." His genius remains undisputed though his reputation waxes and wanes with the political climate of the day.  George Orwell for example called him "a prophet of British Imperialism."

The circular medal measures 76.8mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Robbins Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts. The reported mintage is 200 pieces.

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Archibald Ashley Welch, left, on raised center field. Around top, ARCHIBALD ASHLEY WELCH; in exergue, 1859-1935; signed at right shoulder, KILENYI

The reverse bears legend, FORTY FIVE YEARS / AN OFFICIAL OF THE / PHOENIX MUTUAL / LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY / PRESIDENT / 1924 - 1935

The circular medal measures 76.3mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Robbins Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts. No mintage is reported.

The obverse bears the old NBC logo crisscrossed in the center; double lightning bolts extending from all corners of the cross. On left and right of lightning bolts above, 19 / 26; on left and right of lighning bolts below, 19 / 36.

The reverse bears text only. Around, NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMPANY * A RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA SERVICE * ; in center field, TENTH ANNIVERSARY / TO THOSE WHO HAVE SHARED WITH US / IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF BROADCASTING.

The medal commemorates the tenth anniversary of the National Broadcasting Company which was founded in 1926. It was distributed to its employees in 1936.

From Chris Bach, whom I owe big thanks for information about art medals, I learned the following:

This scarce Art Deco medal has long been "unsigned" in various auctions with no artist or sculptor identified or credited with the design. However, the Cleveland Museum of Art credits the medal as being a collaboration of three people: "modeled by Julio Kilenyi (American, b. 1885); obverse designed by Richard A Loederer (American, b. 1894) and the reverse designed by E.P.H. James (American)" - a gift to the museum's collection by the National Broadcasting Company in 1937 (No. 1937.9.A/B). A specimen at the New York Historical Society in NYC also credits Julio Kilenyi; and the Library of Congress collection identifies a similar item designed by Loederer in their NBC History Files: 1922-1986, Folder 173, Logos, "Photo of tenth anniversary (1936) plaque designed by Richard Loederer of Vienna."

I have only ever seen a bronze variant once.  It is usually the silver-plated variant that comes up for sale.

This medal measures 76mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver plated bronze by the Robbins Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts.

The medal's obverse bears portrait of John Deere,facing half right. Around, HE GAVE THE WORLD THE STEEL PLOUGH; in exergue, JOHN DEERE; signed over shoulder at left, KILENYI

The reverse bears steel plough. Around, JOHN DEERE / CENTENNIAL; in center field, 1837 / 1937

John Deere (1804-1886) is the founder of Deere & Company, better known under its brand name John Deere. Deere briefly attended Middlebury College in his homestate of Vermont before becoming the apprentice of Captain Benjamin Lawrence, a successful Middlebury blacksmith.  He started his own shop in 1826 but it failed in 1836.  In 1837 he left Vermont for Grand Detour, Illinois, and started a new shop which became the seed from which the well-known company grew.

His key invention was the steel plow, which solved the problem of the rich, fertile Midwestern soil sticking to iron plowshares, which in turn forced the farmers to stop frequently to clean them. The company grew quickly and in 1853 his son Charles joined him in the business.

John Deere served as President of the company till his death at the age of 82.

The circular medal measures 76.6mm and was struck in bronze by the Robbins Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts. No mintage is reported.