Medals relating to Science | Glossary | Medallic Art Collector

Description

The uniface medal bears bust of Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden, left. Around top, FERDINAND·VANDEVEER·HAYDEN; under truncation, M·D·C·C·C·LXXXVIII; signed and dated at bottom with (JF monogram ) / MC - MVI

This medal was awarded by the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences for recognition of the best publication, exploration, discovery or research in the natural sciences of geology and paleontology. Established in 1888, the bronze medal was accompanied by a cash award of $300 and was awarded every three years.

References: Marqusee 145

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
edge6
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Nov 1, 2017 17:53

Description

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Albert Ehlebert Ebert, quarter left; laurel wreath around bottom. Around top, ALBERT ETHELBERT EBERT; across, 1840 - 1906

The reverse bears wreath partially showing through gaps in inscription field. Around, AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION - ORGANIZED 1857 INCORPORATED 1888; across, EBERT PRIZE / AWARDED TO / (engraved) LESTER F. HOYT / 1926

Albert Ethelbert Ebert (1840-1906) was born in Bavaria but came to the U.S. as a one year old. His family settled in Chicago. He apprenticed with the pharmacists to learn not just the selling of ready-made remedies but also the German-style compounding. He studied Pharmacology first in Chicago, then In Philadelphia and finally in Munich, where he also studied Chemistry. He represented the American Pharmaceutical Association at conferences abroad and established the Ebert Prize in 1873. The Ebert Prize, the oldest pharmacy award in the U.S., is awarded for the best essay or communication containing original investigation of a medical substance in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Lester F. Hoyt and J. A. Handy won the award in 1926 for their study of "Diethylphtalate"

The circular medal measures 76mm in diameter. Neither maker nor mintage are reported.

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
patina	Bronze with light brown patina
edge6
diameter	76mm
weight	170.8g
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 15:46

Description

The medallion's obverse bears figure in bedouin garb, hand over eyes as if to shield them from the sun. Across, TO / GREATER VISION THROUGH / OPTICAL SCIENCE / BAUSCH / & LOMB; around bottom, · CONTINUOUS · CONTROL · OF · EVERY · PROCESS · THROUGH · GLASS · MAKING · AND · SCIENTIFIC · COMPUTATION · TO · FINISHED · PRODUCT · ; signed and dated at bottom over rim, C.A. HAFNER 1919

The reverse bears legend only; across, THIS MEDALLION WAS / CREATED FOR / BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL CO. / OF ROCHESTER, N.Y. / BY / FRANK SEAMAN INCORPORATED / MERCHANDISING AND / ADVERTISING SERVICE / NEW YORK; at bottom over rim, GORHAM CO.

This is a simple and beautiful corporate advertising medal that reminds me a little bit of Daniel Chester French's great "Mourning Victory," even though the subject matter is totally different.

The circular medallion measures 89.2mm in diameter, 9mm in thickness, and weighs in at a massive 507g. It was manufactured by the Gorham Manufacturring Company of Providence, Rhode Island. No mintage is reported.

Many thanks to Igor A. Osipov for identifying the artist based on the tiny signature that I could not make out on my medal and providing me with the medal's weight. My scale only goes to 500g...

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
patina	Bronze with dark brown patina
edge6
diameter	89.2mm
weight	507g
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Dec 21, 2017 15:11

Description

The obverse bears stylized chemical vessel with wings and snake. Below, ABBOTT LABORATORIES

The reverse bears a hand reaching from bottom to stylized palette with allegorical representations of the secrets of life. In lower left quadrant, six alchemical symbols. Around, ABBOTT - CHANGING IDEAS - CHANGELESS IDEALS - 1888 - 1938

The edge is marked MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. - RAYMOND LOEWY. The side view shows the beautiful and complicated surface treatment.

Abbott Laboratories was founded in 1888 by Chicago physician Wallace Calvin Abbott as the Abbott Alkaloidal Company. At the time, he was a practicing physician and owned a drug store. His innovation was the use of the active part of a medicinal plant, generally an alkaloid (morphine, quinine, strychnine and codeine), which he formed into tiny pills which he called "dosimetric granules." This was successful since it allowed more consistent and effective dosages for patients.

By 1931 the company's overseas sales and reputation had grown and Abbott had to consider adjustments to its success, so it started its international expansion with its first international office in Canada. 1938, the 50th anniversary year, falls into the time when Abbott was still mostly an American company.

Raymond Loewy was a French-born American industrial designer who achieved fame for the magnitude of his design efforts across a variety of industries. He was recognized for this by Time magazine and featured on its cover on October 31, 1949.

This medal is unfortunately Raymond Loewy's only medallic design. In one small object it manifests all qualities that made him so famous. He was called "The Father of Streamlining" and the way he combines the mysteries and intricacies of alchemy with the clear lines of Streamlining and the bold abstractions of art deco is absolutely masterful.

The medal was sculpted by Rene P. Chambellan, one of the American masters of medallic art during the Art Deco period. It measures 70mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported but it appears to be quite rare.

References: MACo 1938-001

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Gold- and and silver-plated bronze
edge6	MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y. RAYMOND LOEWY
diameter	70mm
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 15:44

Description

The medal's obverse bears bust of Alexander Schwarcman. Around top, ALEXANDER SCHWARCMAN; to left of bust, CREATOR / OF / SYNTHENOL; signed to right, J.J. / 1939

The medal's reverse bears branches of Tung trees with blossoms and nuts. Across image, CASTOR OIL / REPLACES TUNG OIL; in exergue, PRESENTED BY / Spencer Kellogg and Sons, Inc. / TO / DR. ALEXANDER SCHWARCMAN / FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT / IN CHEMICAL INVENTION / · 1939 ·

The edge is marked with MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y. BRONZE

In the 1930s American industry was relying heavily on a chemical product called Tung Oil which was produced by pressing the nuts of Tung trees native to China. The war in Asia disrupted supplies and prices skyrocketed. Alexander Schwarcman developed an efficient and inexpensive way of replacing Tung Oil with Castor oil, which could be produced from seeds imported from Brazil, India, and Manchuria, i.e. countries from which bulk shipping was still possible. Not only did this have a profound economic impact but it also proved to be relevant for the war effort that was still in the future in 1939.

This is a beautiful medal and the botanical imagery on the reverse is of very high quality. It is also nice that an inventor whose name has otherwise been almost forgotten (and whose name is usually identified as a probable misspelling of "Schwartzman") is thus immortalized.

This medal measures 76mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References: MACo 1939-011

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
edge6	MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y. BRONZE
diameter	76mm
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 15:46

Description

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

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
edge6	MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y. BRONZE
diameter	75.2mm
weight	162.8g
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 15:53

Description

The medal's obverse bears a classic Mayan motif of two priests at an altar. Incuse on altar, 1950; In exergue, THE / ALFRED VINCENT / KIDDER / AWARD

The reverse shows a Southwestern pueblo under cliff or in cave, maybe Mesa Verde. Above, FOR / ACHIEVEMENT / IN / AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY; signed T.P. along rim in lower right.

The edge is marked at 12:00, ROBBINS CO. ATTLEBORO / GENUINE BRONZE

Alfred Vincent Kidder (October 29, 1885 - June 11, 1963) was an American archaeologist considered the foremost of the southwestern United States and Mesoamerica during the first half of the 20th century. He saw a disciplined system of archaeological techniques as a means to extend the principles of anthropology into the prehistoric past and so was the originator of the first comprehensive, systematic approach to North American archaeology.

Established in 1950, the Alfred Vincent Kidder Award for Eminence in the Field of American Archaeology was given every three years to an outstanding archaeologist specializing in the archaeology of the Americas. The award has been given alternately to specialists in Mesoamerican archaeology and the archaeology of the Southwestern region &emdash; areas that were both central to the pioneering and exemplary work of A. V. Kidder.

This award, presented by the AAA but selected by the Archaeology Division of AAA, is now given every two years.

The medal expresses the two different archeaological areas of interest through the imagery on the two sides, both of which were designed by Tatiana Proskouriakoff (1909-1985). She not only designed the medal but was also the award's fifth recipient. The Mayan motif on the obverse represents the Mesoamerican area, whereas the pueblo scene on the reverse represents the Northamerican Southwest.

The medal measures 76mm (3in) in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Robbins Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts.

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
edge6
edge12	ROBBINS CO. ATTLEBORO / GENUINE BRONZE
diameter	76mm
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 15:46

Description

The medal's obverse bears teacher surrounded by group of students and chemical flasks. Around, AWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRE HIGH SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHING; signed on truncation of pupil at right bottom, J. E. R. Sc.

The reverse bears chemical vessels, book and banner for engaving. Around, PRESENTED BY / CHEMICAL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION; on banner, AWARDED TO

This medal comes in (two or) three flavors: one for college level teaching, one for high school, and one for pre-high school. Dick Johnson, who is the authority for anything related to the Medallic Art Company only lists the first two but not this member of the set.

References: MACo 1957-046

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
edge6	THE PROTOCOL GROUP - DANBURY, CT
diameter	76.3mm
weight	231.8g
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 16:16

Description

The medal's obverse bears muscular, nude male figure in flight, caduceus in outstretched hand, mortar and pestle in other. Across, Science - for the / world's - well-being / CHAS. PFIZER & CO., INC.; signed under legend, PHIILIPS, SC.

The reverse bears view of research facility in wooded landscape. Around, PFIZER MEDICAL RESEARCH LABORATORIES; in exergue, DEDICATED TO SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH / IN THE SERVICE OF / MEDICINE AND MANKIND / OCTOBER 6, 1960

The medal's obverse was designed by Thomas Philips and the reverse by Joseph di Lorenzo.

The medal measures 75.6mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References: MACo 1960-066

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
edge6	MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y. BRONZE
diameter	75.6mm
weight	262.2g
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Oct 26, 2017 16:46

Description

The medal's obverse bears a scientist facing half left, between microscope, pestle, and flask. Around, THE JOHNSON MEDAL. Signed, ABRAM BELSKIE Sc.

The reverse bears a female goddess with snake, goblet and plaque. Above, THE JOHNSON MEDAL. Below, FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

Belskie designed this medal for Johnson & Johnson. Every year since 1960 a group of J&J's outstanding scientists from around the world are awarded the Johnson Medal, the firm's highest scientific honor. These scientists have made discoveries that led to new products in every area of J&J's businesses. In the words of Johnson and Johnson's website: "They have taken us in new directions and helped us improve the health and well being of people the world over."

The circular medal measures 76.3mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References: MACo 1960-055

Medal Details

This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.

material	Bronze
edge6	MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y. / BRONZE
diameter	76.3mm
weight	251.4g
mintage	unknown

Last modified: Jan 28, 2018 19:03