Over the years that I've collected US commemoratives, I've occasionally come across badges that are linked to the coins in some fashion. Tonight I thought I'd share one linked to the 1938 Delaware Tercentenary.
As the majority of the classic US commemoratives were issued in support of a specific anniversary or event, it was common for the sponsoring organization to also be involved somehow in the corresponding celebration. Often the celebrations lasted for several days and included speeches by local/regional dignitaries, religious services, banquets, pageants, concerts, sporting events, parades, historical exhibits, etc.
As part of these celebrations, badges were often created and were worn by members of the event's organizing committees, as well as by invited VIPS and/or guests; sometimes badges were created as a souvenir item and were available for purchase by anyone attending the event.
Read More: Commems CollectionThe Delaware Tercentenary was marked by a celebratory event, though it was not quite as extensive as some of the others. The primary events of Delaware's celebration took place on a single day - 27 June 1938. The day's events included the formal welcoming of the official delegations from Sweden and Finland, dedication of the monument given to the US by the people of Sweden at Fort Christina State Park in Wilmington (pictures of the monument here:
http://goccf.com/t/118796 ), a service in Old Swedes Church, a luncheon, speeches, a parade and an evening reception.
Shown here is a nicely preserved hanging badge from the event. The decorative top bar of the badge features a "then and now" scene. Delaware's early Swedish settlers are seen in the foreground and a modern (circa 1938) view of Wilmington, Delaware (the present day city located at the site of the first landing) is depicted in the background.
The medal is suspended from a light blue and yellow-gold ribbon with the tercentenary dates and "Guest" printed on it. The medal's obverse depicts the early Swedish settlers disembarking from the Kalmar Nyckel (the larger of the two ships that brought the settlers from Sweden), while the simpler reverse includes commemorative inscriptions.
The hanging medal is 1.75 inches in diameter; the badge is 5.50 inches from the top of bar to the bottom of the suspended medal.
The badge is a nice supplement to my Delaware commemorative half-dollar and high-relief commemorative medals.
1938 Delaware Tercentenary Guest Badge - Full
1938 Delaware Tercentenary Guest Badge - Medal Obverse
1938 Delaware Tercentenary Guest Badge - Medal Reverse
1938 Delaware Tercentenary Half-Dollar - Obverse
1938 Delaware Tercentenary Half-Dollar - Reverse
Posted 02/21/2013 11:09 pm
