Medallic Art Company

References:   ANS 31, Baxter 316, MACo 1917-012, Marqusee 201

The obverse bears softly modeled and beautiful head of Victory (r.), wearing helmet decorated with the lilies of France, the oak leaves of Britain and the pine of the United States. Around, TO COMMEMORATE THE VISIT TO NEW YORK - OF THE FRENCH AND BRITISH WAR COMMISSIONS 1917; signed on collar, D C FRENCH.

The reverse bears allegorical group of three figures. On the right, standing figure of female Liberty holding sword, greeting figures of Joan of Arc and medieval knight representing France and England. Signed at lower right, E.B.LONGMAN / SC. 1917.

The medal is numbered and edge-marked MEDALLIC ART CO. N Y.

The United States officially entered World War I in 1917 and quickly tried to coordinate the war effort with the the European allies. The French and British delegations were first to arrive and were given a spectacular reception. New York mayor John Purroy Mitchel had put together a Committee of Reception that was in charge of organizing the event. As part of the activities, the committee and the American Numismatic Association (ANS) teamed up to issue this commemorative medal. They engaged Daniel Chester French and Evelyn Longman to design the two sides of the medal. Evelyn Longman was one of French's students and the first woman sculptor to be elected a full member of the National Academy of Design in 1919.

Barbara Baxter considers this medal one of French's "most outstanding pieces," the other one being his American Red Cross medal.

This is the 34th official issue of the American Numismatic Society. The medal measures 63.4mm (2.5in) and was struck in bronze, silver and gold by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The mintage is 5 in gold, 109 in silver and 171 in bronze.

Many thanks to the Yale University Art Gallery for permission to use their images of the bronze variant.

References:   ANS 34, Baxter 317, MACo 1917-013, Marqusee 180

References:   Baxter 246, MACo 1917-016

The medal's obverse bears nude male figure, kneeling, facing right, holding bow in left hand, cloak draped over arm; heavily beaded border around. At left, TO KAΛΛINIKON.

The reverse bears Roman helmet with horse design. Across, YALE - UNI-/VERSITY · / HENRY · ELIAS - HOWLAND / MEMORIAL MEDAL

Yale University's Henry Howland Memorial Prize was created in 1915 for a "citizen of any country in recognition of some achievement of marked distinction in the field of literature or fine arts or the science of government." The idealistic quality of the recipient's work is an important factor in his selection.

The award was established in honor of Henry Elias Howland (1835–1913), a member of the Yale class of 1854, by a donation of $15,000 by his children Charles P. Howland (Yale 1891), Dr. John Howland (Yale 1894), and Frances Howland. The prize has generally been awarded every two years. Henry Elias Howland was a Justice and a member of the Yale Corporation. He also served as President of the Yale Club in New York City and the Descendants of the Mayflower organization.

The obverse legend TO KAΛΛINIKON might refer to a battle between the Byzantine empire and an invading Persian army near the city of Kallinikon. General Belisarius saved the day by crossing the Euphrates on boat to rally fleeing Roman troops and turn the tide of battle.

The circular medal measures 72.9mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

Many thanks to the Numismatics department of the Yale University Art Gallery for their generosity and support in making this medal available to me for research.

References:   MACo 1917-018

References:   ANS 32

This uniface medal's obverse bears standing woman, cradling pallet in one arm and holding brushes and a winged trophy. Signed at bottom left, V. D. Brenner

The reverse bears engaving, THE ART LEAGUE OF NASSAU COUNTY / 25TH ANNIVERSARY / 1950 / GEORGE TSCHAMBER

This was a popular art award medal that was used for many years by different organizations.  Dick Johnson reports that the National Art League used it as of 1961 but this example clearly predates that production run (MACo 1961-065).

The circular medal measures 50.6mm in diameter and was struck in gold-plated bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1929-024

This uniface medal's obverse bears standing woman, cradling pallet in one arm and holding brushes and a winged trophy. Signed at bottom left, V. D. Brenner

This medal exists in many different variants, but this one is a full-sized 3in medal that I believe to be an early one.

The circular medal measures 75.9mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1929-024, 1931-053

References:   ANS 33

This uniface medal's obverse bears male figure in work clothes, digging in the earth with a spade, facing right.

According to Smedley, the medal might have been created as an ornament on a flower box, probably reduced from a painting.

The medal measures 76.1mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. The mintage is not reported.

References:   MACo 1931-051, Marqusee 80

This massive plaque bears nude child in crucifixion pose with cloth draped over sex and Eagle with spread wings in support. Around top, CHILDREN'S YEAR; across lower left, APRIL 6·1918· / APRIL·6·1919·; signed around lower right, Beach

The Children's Year was a campaign laucnhed by the Children's Bureau to save 100,000 infants who would normally die from childhood diseases. The date was significant because it marked the first anniversary of America's entry into the First World War and this campaign was very much part of the national war effort.  The effort would include the registration of every child born, prenatal care for mothers, regular weighing and examination of babies, and the creation of a bureaucracy at the state and city level to support these measures.

The plaque represents the obverse of a medal, produced by the Medallic Art Company as well, that also commemorated the first Chidlren's Year.

The circular plaque is mounted on a large mahogany board. The galvano cast plaque itself measures 489mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No numbers are rported, but there can't be many of these.

References:   Baxter 243