This medal's obverse bears Bison facing left. Above and below, SOCIETY OF / ILLUSTRATORS; signed with combined (CF monogram)
The reverse bears deeply incuse SI in raised field above panel inscribed with recipient's name: BOB GUCCIONE / ILLUSTRATORS 28
The edge is marked © 1984 MEDALLIC ART CO. - DANBURY, CT. - BRONZE
The Bison shown on the face of this medal is adapted from the wall painting in the cave of the Font-de-Gaume at Les Eyzies in Southern France and was one of man's earlier art efforts. The species of Bison, now almost extinct, differs somewhat from the North American form, with a rather small head and not so much fur over the head, neck and shoulders.
The medal was awarded to Bob Guccione, the founder of Penthouse Magazine, and a painter and illustrator. While he is best known for founding Penthouse Magazine, he originally only started the magazine to subsidize his career as a well-respected visual artist.
The circular medal which was designed by Robert Foster and sculpted by Mario Cooper measures 76mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company.
Many thanks to Richard Berenson, a past president of the Society iof Illustrators, who sent me most of the information about this medal.