The medal's obverse bears statuesque woman holding cornucopia in one arm and baby in the other; behind her at left, man adjusting valve of chemical apparatus; at right, older man studying tome with flasks and vessels next to him. Around top, · CHEMICAL RESEARCH FOR PLENTY HEALTH AND PEACE · ; signed at right, (JMS monogram)
The reverse bears winged hour glass. Around, ARNOLD, HOFFMAN & CO., INC. / MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS; across, CELEBRATING / ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE / YEARS / OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE TO / AMERICAN INDUSTRY / 1815 - 1949 / THE / OLDEST CHEMICAL HOUSE / IN NEW ENGLAND
Arnold, Hoffman & Co., Inc. traces it roots back to 1815 in Providence, Rhode Island. Benjamin and Charles Dyer setup a wholesale business for drugs, chemicals and dyes. It changed hands many times over the years. In 1874 the name was Mason, Chapin & Co. and the firm
was one of the largest importers of natural indigo from India.
In 1892 the company acquired the Anchor Color & Gum Works which had built a plant in Dighton, Massachusetts in 1861 to manufacture furniture and later colors ground in oil for paint. Starch and softening agents were also made. In 1897 Edward. E. Arnold, president of Mason, Chapin & Co., formed Arnold, Peck & Co. with William H. Hoffman as an investor. In 1900 Arnold and Hoffman formed the Arnold, Hoffman & Co. corporation. Earlier, Arnold had established the Mathieson Alkali Works in 1892 in Saltville, Virginia.
The circular medal measures 75.2mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.
References: MACo 1940-009
