All Medals

References:   Murtha 475

References:   ANS 10, Baxter 116, Marqusee 97

The medal's obverse bears upholstered armchair. Around, SHEARMAN BROTHERS COMPANY / JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK; under chair, OUR / 75th YEAR

The reverse bears company's trademark. Around, MANUFACTURING QUALITY FURNITURE / DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY; in geometric logo, SHEARMAN / BROTHERS / COMPANY / HIGH GRADE / UPHOLSTERY / JAMESTOWN / NEW / YORK / TRADE / MARK

I find myself oddly attracted to this otherwise pretty standard corporate commemorative.  The armchair is very nicely rendered with a floral pattern and the overall composition is pleasing.

The circular medal measures 76.2mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. No mintage is reported.

The obverse bears male figure standing at right, wearing chain and plate armor and holding a jousting lance in one hand while resting the other on pommel of sword. Around, ADDRESSOGRAPH MULTIGRAPH TWENTY-FIVE YEAR SERVICE MEDAL; octagonal AM logo at right; inscribed with AWARDED / TO / C. P. RODHOLM / 1946

The reverse bears logo-crested shield with legend IN GRATEFUL / RECOGNITION OF / ABILITY AND LOYALTY / DURING A QUARTER / CENTURY OF / FAITHFUL SERVICE / (signature).

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

Joseph Smith Duncan developed the first Addressograph in 1892. That model consisted of a hexagonal wood block onto which he glued rubber type which had been torn from rubber stamps. While revolving, the block simultaneously inked the next name and address ready for the next impression.

In 1932 the company merged with American Multigraph of Cleveland, Ohio, to form the Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation manufacturing highly efficient addressograph and duplicating machines. In 1982 the company declared bancruptcy, probably because it just could not compete with the electronic publishing and copying industry.

The circular medallion measures 100.3mm and is struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1936-011

The medal's obverse bears bearded Socrates, facing left, discussing philosphy with three disciples, facing right. Around, SOCRATES DISCUSSING WITH HIS DISCIPLES; signed at lower right, (IM monogram)

The reverse bears bearded Plato writing on tablet in his lap; muse to his right. Around, THE PHILOSOPHER IN THE GRIP OF INSPIRATION; signed at lower right, (IM monogram) / C

This medal was chosen as the 50th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. The original models bore no legend.  The Society's advisory board loved the design but, at the urging of Paul Manship, the legends were added.

While SoM medals usually exhibit very high relief, this medal is unlike any other in the series.  The relief is flat, and the design quite sparse. It's more like a sketch than like a fully worked bas-relief.  Nevertheless, through the thoughtful application of tan patina, the medal gains depth and is quite stunning in its simplicity.

The circular medal measures 73mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company.  The mintage was reported as 690 pieces in bronze. The number of silver pieces is not known but the edition was limited to 700.

References:   MACo 1930-001-050, SoM 50

References:   ANS 4

The medal's obverse bears upper body of a Native American morphing into a corn cob, with figure's clothes turning into the cob's husk.  Around, ··· THE NATIONAL CORN EXPOSITION ··· / OMAHA 1908

The reverse bears grain stalks arranges in wreath shape around center field with legend: Honor Award / to

The National Corn Exposition of 1908 was the brain child of Omaha businessman and civic leader Gurdon W. Wattles. He had already been the force behind the Trans Mississippi and International Exposition of 1898.  The exposition ran from December 9 to December 19, 1908, and attracted over 7,731 exhibition entries.

The circular medal was struck in gold-plated bronze. I know neither artist nor mint or mintage. Any additional information would be deeply appreciated.

The medal's obverse bears

The reverse bears

This is the second annual membership medal issued by the Medal Collectors of America.

The circular medal measures 63.6mm in diameter and was struck in silver and bronze. The mintage is reported as 43 pieces in bronze and 17 pieces in silver.

References:   MACo 1930-022

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.