The John E. Marqusee Collection [101 - 150]

This design by Alexander Stirling Calder was chosen as the 17th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. The obverse bears a nude woman holding spirited infant with ball. Around, THE DANCE OF LIFE BEGINS EARLY / AND GOES ON.

The reverse bears nude male being pulled and pushed by two contending nude women. Around, WITH PLEASURE - PAIN / AND THE PROTAGONIST; between legs of figures, signature A - S - C / ©.

In this medal Alexander Stirling Calder portrays life as a dance that starts with playful exuberance and continues with experiences both pleasant and painful. It is not up to the dancer to decide how to dance, or even whether to dance. While every person is the protagonist in their own play, the script is continuously being written by others.

The medal measures 73mm in diameter. Struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York, the reported production quantity of this medal is 891 in bronze and 100 in silver.

This medal's obverse bears Harvard's coat of arms with VE - RI -TAS on open books surrounded by wreath. Around, ANNO · ACADEMIAE · HARVARDIANA · TRECENTESIMO · - · MDCCCCXXXVI ·

The reverse bears multiline inscription, 1636 · 1936 / OUT OF SMALL / BEGINNINGS GREAT / ER THINGS HAVE / BEEN PRODUSED BY HIS / HAND THAT MADE ALL / THINGS OF NOTHING / AND GIVES BEING / TO ALL THINGS / THAT ARE

Harvard University itself needs little introduction. Founded in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature and named after its first prominent benefactor, John Harvard, Harvard is the oldest and probably most prestigious U.S. university (though Yale University is in eternal contention for the latter.)

Harvard University celebrated the three-hundredth anniversary of the College's founding in 1936 with an elaborate Tercentenary Celebration. The festivities included exhibits, special lectures, summer school courses, and culminated with the Tercentenary Days on September 16-18, 1936. Delegates from other academic institutions and learned societies were invited for the celebration and to participate in symposia discussing their fields. This medal was given as a present to all of the delegates who attended the celebration. The inscription on the reverse is a quotation from William Bradford's History of Plimmoth Plantation.

The circular medal measures 81.9mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported. The medal was also struck in silver, attached to ribbons, and used as a badge by attendees of the Tercentenary Conference of Arts and Sciences. Smaller diameter coins were distributed as well during the conference.

References: MACo 1936-012, Marqusee 103

The obverse bears a nude with lyre in front of Pegasus; signed GAETANO CECERE 1931. The reverse bears a grouping of transmission towers, lightning bolts, and wings, surrounded by wreathes and text in concentric circles. Legend reads FOR DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTION TO THE RADIO ART | OVER THE COLUMBIA BROADCASTING SYSTEM. The medal's diameter is 102mm or 4in.

The medal was awarded "for Distinguished Contribution to Radio" and by 1934 only six people had received it. They were: Colonel Charles Lindbergh, Sir John A. Reith, director general of the BBC, Leopold Stokowski, conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Amelia Earhart, Nino Martini, Metropolitan Opera tenor, and Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Antarctic explorer.

The medal is part of many museum collections, including the Smithsonian Institute, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Cornell University Library, which has a beautiful image online.

The original images can be found on the website of the Smithsonian Institute.

References: Marqusee 104

This medal was chosen as the eighth issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. The medal's obverse bears male and female nudes stretching towards the sky, winged Pegasus rearing at left. Below, signature G. CECERE / © 1933.

The reverse bears twin peaks with a small tree growing at their feet with stars above. Above, concentric two-line legend, THERE IS NO EASY WAY FROM THE / EARTH TO THE STARS.

It was created in the middle of the Great Depression and, in Cecere's own words, symbolizes

"the age-old inner urge of a large portion of humanity - its never-ceasing struggle to free from the bondage of the sordid and material, its aspiration toward a higher place of existence."

He dedicated his medal to "those who are fighting adversities while maintaining a vision of a higher goal."

The medal measures 73mm in diameter and had a reported production of 1,287 in bronze and 125 in silver.

References: Marqusee 107

Chambellan designed this medal in the early 1930's for the American Association of Manufacturers.

The obverse bears the Statue of Liberty in the center with light radiating from behind its head. From left to right depictions of the Capitol, orator in front of listening crowd, church, printing press, machinery, and skyscrapers. Above, LIBERTY; signed R. CHAMBELLAN SC.

The reverse bears bowl of fire labeled FREEDOM resting on tripod with legs inscribed REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY, CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, and FREE PRIVATE ENTERPRISE. Workers and a mother with children in front of smokestacks and buildings. Along rim on left, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS.

This medal expresses the belief in the benefits of a capitalist democracy, with economic freedom being one of the pillars on which freedom rests.

This bronze medal has a diameter of 76mm and weighs 171g. It was struck by the Medallic Art Company in New York.

This medal was chosen as the 31st issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. The medal's obverse bears a medallic adaptation of Rosenthal's famous photograph of the flag-raising on Mount Suribachi. To right, IN TRIUMPH / SHALL WAVE.

The reverse bears truncated sword with hilt up over victor's palm. To left and right, FOR CONQUER - WE MUST; at lower edge, © - CHAMBELLAN SC.

In his "Message from the Artist" Chambellan wrote:

"One of the basic purposes of the medal is to commemorate important events... the soul-stirring group of the flag-raising on Mt. Suribachi in Iwo Jima has captured for all time one of these memorable historic flashes."

The medal measures 73mm in diameter. The Medallic Art Company of New York reportedly struck 1,501 medals in bronze and 60 (out of 700 authorized) in silver.

The obverse bears art deco city scape with factories and skyscrapers surrounding a giant generator building; clouds and sun rays above; house and train engines below. In exergue, * ORDER OF * / MERIT

The reverse bears large silver letter W over palm frond. Around, WESTINGHOUSE AWARD; in lower half, TO / (blank) / WHOM HIS FELLOW / MEN DELIGHT TO / HONOR

The Westinghouse Order of Merit was awarded by Westinghouse Electric Corporation as its highest form of employee recognition. Both management and technical employees were eligible to receive the award.

The medallion has a diameter of 101mm. It was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The mintage is not reported.

This uniface medal shows young mother breastfeeding her baby, one hand holding her breast, the other supporting baby's head.

Maker's mark at 6:00 om edge, MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y.

The Medallic Art Company acquired the rights to this French medal in 1933 and made a stock medal in one size. Chapu was primarily a portrait medalist who had a great influence on young American artists who studied under him at the Academie Julian. Among his American pupils were such greats as John Flanagan, Hermon Atkins MacNeil, and Bela Pratt.

The medal measures 85mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

References: Marqusee 113, Forrer, vol. 1 p.408

This medal was chosen as the sixth issue of the prestigious Circle of Friends if the Medallion series in 1912. The obverse bears large bust of Charles Dickens. Around, CHARLES DICKENS - NOVELIST (*); in right field, To A / BLITHE / SPIRIT / THE F OF / THE M.

The medal's reverse bears Bob Crachit with stunted Tiny Tim on shoulder, holding crutch in right hand and spray of holly in left. In right field, GOD / BLESS / US / ALL EV'RY / ONE; signed in left field, CONWAY.

1912 was the year of the Charles Dickens Centennial and saw a lot of Dickens medals issued. A very similar obverse appeared on the Charles Dickens Centenary medal by Henning Ryden.

The medal measures 70mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Davison Company of Philadelphia. The mintage is not known.

This medal was chosen as the 25th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1942. The obverse bears lazy man asleep under stylized tree, blazing sun overhead, snail in sleeper's shadow at left. Below THOU SLUGGARD; at lower edge of figure, J. de Coux ©

The reverse bears three ants communicating with antennae amid grass. Around, GO TO THE ANT CONSIDER HER WAYS / (thistle) AND BE WISE (sunflower)

Janet de Coux based her medal on
Proverbs 6:6:

This medal measures 73mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company of New York which struck 767 pieces in bronze and 100 in silver.

This medal was the 29th official issue of the American Numismatic Society.

The obverse bears bust of Babelon, left. Around, ERNEST · BABELON · DE · L'INSTITUT · ; signed to the right of bust, G. DEVREESE. / 1910

The reverse bears helmeted bust of Athena, left, holding spear and shield. Around, CONGRES INTERN · DE NUM · ET D'ART DE LA MED · BRUXELLES 1910 · ; signed in right field, R. BOSSELT

Ernest Babelon (1854-1924) was a French numismatist and classical archaeologist. In 1899 he was recognised with the Medal of the Royal Numismatic Society and in 1922 with the Archer M. Huntington Medal.

Issued jointly by the ANS and the Société Hollandaise-Belge des Amis de la Médaille d'Art, the reported mintage only applies to those pieces that were produced for the ANS.

This medal measures 65mm in diameter and was struck by Alphonse Michaux. The mintage is 156 pieces in silver and 505 in bronze.

References: Baxter 259, Marqusee 120

The obverse bears upper body of muscular worker with short-sleeved shirt unbuttoned, right arm across body in dynamic pose. At lower left, COURAGE

The reverse bears rising sun over stylized wave-framed horizon at bottom. Above, DEDICATED / to all / those who have / the courage to / face adversity / with a conquering / spirit

This plaque holds one of Fairbanks' most iconic images: the heroic worker, facing whatever challenges the day might bring with determination and courage. It is a very 1930's motif, executed beautifully and dynamically. In some ways, it is very reminiscent of Communist imagery. Taken out of context, it might well be an image from a Soviet medal praising the "heroic socialist worker doing his part to fulfill the ten-year plan."

This plaque measures 60mm x 90mm and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

References: MACo 1933-018

The obverse bears vital male bust right, cartwheel border with incuse FAITH IN MAN AND HIS WORKS; signed on right, Avard / Fairbanks / Sc / 1929

The reverse bears sculptor-craftsman gazing at bank. Around, THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL BANK - PORTLAND OREGON; under bank, A POWER / LIKE THAT OF A / MIGHTY GENIE WHO / STANDS READY TO / BUILD INDUSTRIES / AND TEMPLES / AT THE CALL OF / MAN'S WILL.

This medal is a beautiful if misplaced expression of optimism in the nation's banks. It was issued in 1929, the year of Black Tuesday, the gigantic stock market crash that signaled the beginning the Great Depression. American faith in a better future took a severe beating and it was a long time before such unbridled optimism would reappear in medallic art.

This medal measures 70.2mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

References: MACo 1929-055

The medal's obverse bears standing figure of Lafayette, with right arm leaning onto pedestal with conjoined busts of Washington and Franklin. On pedestal, AMERICA'S / ADOPTED / SON; around, MDCCLVII - LAFAYETTE - MDCCCXXXIV; signed in exergue, 19 (JF monogram) 34

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

John Flanagan had already created a Lafayette medal in 1920 to commemorate the Knights' of Columbus donation of a Statue of Lafayette to the French city of Metz.

The medal measures 64mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. Its mintage is not reported.

References: MACo 1934-024, Baker 200

The obverse bears Saint-Gaudens' bearded bust, facing left. Above, AUGUSTUS SAINT-GAUDENS / STATUAIRE, ÆTATIS LVI. Lower left, MCM (circled JF monogram) XXXIV.

The reverse bears the text IN HONOR * * * / OF AN AMERICAN / SCULPTOR * * * / AUGUSTUS SAINT / GAUDENS * * * / SCULPTORS DINNER OF THE MEDALLIC ART COMPANY NY APRIL IX MCMXXXVII.

This plaque commemorates both the thirtieth anniversary of Augustus Saint-Gaudens' death and a dinner that assembled many of America's greatest sculptors in one place. Among the attendees were Paul Manship, George E. Brown, Mahonri Young, Henri Weil, Arthur Lee, Julian Levi, Jonas Lie, and Adolph Weinman. Hosted by the Medallic Art Company, the dinner in honor of Saint-Gaudens took place on April 9th 1937. Every guest was given one of the medals that had been designed by John Flanagan. The originals were made of bronze. A restrike in gold-plated silver was issued much later.

The plaque measures 46.1mm x 63.8 and was struck by the Medallic Art Company.

References: Baxter 164, Marqusee 140

This medal was the first issue of the prestigious Circle of Friends of the Medallion series in 1909. The obverse bears conjoined busts of Henry Hudson in ruff and Robert Fulton in nineteeth-century civil dress. Around, HENRY HUDSON * ROBERT FULTON; in right field, signed J F / (acanthus ornament) / MCMIX

The reverse bears Hudson River with Halve Maene and North River Steamboat sailing past modern skyline; nymph reclining on cloud holds glowing lightbulb. Above, dates MDCIX * MDCCCVII; below, MCMIX

The Hudson-Fulton celebration was a regionally significant event that left a multitude of coins, medals, posters and other memorabilia in its wake. Hudson and Fulton cooperated to demonstrate the commercial viability steamboats on the Hudson river.

The medal measures 70mm in diameter and was struck by Davison of Philadelphia.

References: Baxter 101, Marqusee 141

This uniface medal's obverse bears bust of Brinton, left. Around top, (flower) DANIEL · GARRISON · BRINTON (flower); on left and right of bust, M·D·C· - C·C· / XCV - III·; signed at lower left, PARIS / (decoration) / (indecipherable) FLANAGAN

Daniel Garrison Brinton (1837-1899) was a doctor, archaeologist, and ethnologist. He studied at Yale, Jefferson Medical College, Heidelberg and Paris and served as a surgeon in the Union army dring the Civil War. He suffered a severe sun-stroke from which he never totally recovered during the Third Battle of Chattanooga. Among the many society's he belonged to was the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia, which commissioned this medal.

Ideologically he was a complicated man. Like many educated people of his time he advocated theories of scientific racism. Later in life he became an anarchist and outspoken critic of the soiety he lived in.

The medal is most commonly known to have a reverse that bears the Society's seal. This uniface variant might be an artist's proof.

The medal measures 64mm in diameter and was struck in bronze.

The obverse bears statue of LaFayette on horseback. To left and right, LAFA - YETTE / WE - ARE / HERE; signed at right, (JF monogram)

The looped medal's reverse bears statue of Lafayette, half right. Around, COMM· DEDIC· OF THE STATUE OF LAFA-YETTE PRES· TO THE CITY OF METZ BY THE / KNIGHTS - OF COLUMBUS; to left and right of statue, SEPT - EMBER / VI - MCMXX; signed in right field, (JF monogram)

It was in the year 1775 in the French city of Metz that the Marquis de LaFayette committed himself to the cause of the American Revolution. He became one of the central figures of the revolution and gained the undying gratitude of the young nation. In 1919, the Knights of Columbus sponsored an equestrian statue of LaFayette

"to commemorate the fraternal participation of France to the foundation of the United State (1775-1783) and to immortalize the sacrifice of the glorious French and American soldiers who died on the battlefields of Liberty, in 1914-1918."

In August 1920 one of the famous equestrian statues of Lafayette by the American sculptor P.W. Bartlett, was inaugurated in the Square Boufflers of Metz, near the very place where Lafayette stood in 1775 at the Governor's Palace.

The medal measures 41mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. Its mintage is not reported.

References: Marqusee 147

This uniface medal bears Samuel Longhorn Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain) seated in an easy chair holding a calabash pipe, facing left. In upper left, MARK TWAIN / CENTENARY OF HIS BIRTH / MDCCCXXXV-MCMXXXV. Below, between two standing figures of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, ALWAYS DO RIGHT / THIS WILL GRATIFY / SOME PEOPLE / AND ASTONISH THE / REST.

For a long time this plaque was not recognized as a member of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. It was designed and is dated 1935 but it was actually first released to the wider public in 1950 as the first special commemorative issue of the series to celebrate the Society's 20th anniversary.

As it predates the series and was only re-released under the Society's imprimatur one can debate its status as a SOM medal, but regardless, it is a beautiful medal that deserves a place in your Society of Medalists collection.

References: MACo 1935-015, Marqusee 148

The medal's obverse bears male and female nudes symbolizing the union of the Western hemisphere by the Panama Canal; in background, sun and clouds above horizon with American isthmus. At bottom, DIVINE DISIVNCTA IVNXIT HOMO

The medal's reverse shows the Panama Pacific International Exposition's Tower of Jewels. On panel below building, MEDAL / OF AWARD; around, PANAMA PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION SAN FRANCISCO - MCMXV

The medal measures 70.3mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the United States Mint. Plain bronze, silver-plated, and gold-plated versions are known to exist.

References: Baker 114, MACo 1915-020, Marqusee 150-152