Goodyear Company

The uniface medallion bears flag with Goodyear logo. From large number at left, around top, 45 - YEARS OF FRIENDLY RELATIONS; under waving flag, incuse, WHATEVER IS BEST / FOR THE CONSUMER / IS BEST FOR THE / DEALER AND THE / MANUFACTURER

This is the 45 year version of Rene Chambellan's Goodyear series of medallions. All of these medallions came mounted to a wooden board to be hung in offices or shops that were selling Goodyear product.

Dick Johnson's reference does not list this medallion under Chambellan, in fact it does not have a reference to it at all. Like all other Goodyear medallions, this one also is not edge-marked, so both the attribution to Chambellan and to the Medallic Art Company are a bit tenuous.  A query to the Goodyear Company has remained unanswered so far.  I'll keep it with the artist and mint attributions until someone with better information can correct the record.

The circular medallion measures 100.8mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company. No mintage is reported.

The plaque's obverse bears Goodyear flag over legend.  Around upper half, THE · GREATEST · NAME · IN · RUBBER; across, 1898 / GOODYEAR / 50 / ANNIVERSARY / 1948

The reverse bears kneeling male figure, facing left, holding winged wheel in raised hands behind his head; Goodyear tire with logo by his feet; at cardinal points around medal are streamlined plane, car, train, and zeppelin. At upper left, FIFTY YEARS / DEVOTED TO / THE ADVANCE / MENT OF / TRANSPORT- / ATION; signed under tire at right, (RC monogram)

I don't know whether this quintessential art-deco design was ever realized.  It is not part of Dick Johnson's reference and I have not seen it in metal. I received the images from John Ball, a Library Associate at the University of Akron. The University of Akron received a large portion of the Goodyear archives when the company stopped employing its own historian.  Among the records was this design.

Please contact me if you have seen a medal or plaque resembling this design.