| Author |
 Replies: 156 / Views: 36,473 |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
840 Posts |
Purchase of Alaksa - 1867 This is a fine medal, but not great. I'm not sure what they could have done to convey the importance of "Seward's Folly" but this sure isn't it. And the reverse of the medal is uninspired with just a simple factoid. Oh, well.   |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
840 Posts |
The Star-Spangled Banner - Francis Scott Key - 1814 Fantastic medal! The image belongs on a portrait in the National Gallery. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it was copied from some famous painting. There's Key, a prisoner on a British ship watching helplessly while they attack Baltimore. I can feel the heat from the fires! And I like the date placed over the water just above the railing. Nice way to fill in the space.   |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
840 Posts |
Statue of Liberty - 1886 OK, this is my least favorite of all the medals in this series (of the 40 in my collection that is). It could have been a classic design - Liberty's crown is great, and I like the image of the newly arrived immigrants (I presume). But Liberty looks so angry! Ah, opportunity lost. But it's the Statue of Liberty so I'm sure this is one of the more collectible medals in the series.   |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
840 Posts |
Gold at Sutter's Mill - 1848 One of my favorite medals here - look at the face on that prospector! He looks so thrilled to find gold. And the detail of his beard, and I can almost feel the leathery texture of his sunken cheeks. Unfortunately my copy of this medal has a few nicks in the rim, but the image is wonderful.   |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
840 Posts |
Clipper Ship Flying Cloud - 1851 Wonderful medal featuring the fastest ship on the seven seas. I can feel the sails billow in the breeze with the obligatory clouds mounting in the background. The water looks choppy and it's attention to details like those that I really enjoy!   |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
840 Posts |
The First Flight - 1903 I've been to Kill Devil Hills at Kitty Hawk, NC and I've seen the fields where the Wright Brothers practiced their first flights. And this medal captures the scene perfectly. The low, sandy hills (which they needed for crash landings), the strong ocean breeze (for lift) and a few seagulls for fun... it's all right there on this medal!   |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
840 Posts |
OK, I think that's 34 down with 6 to go. I'm going for a break.
I want to point out that my photos really don't do these medals any justice. You can't see the level of detail or the different finishes - some look matte others are highly polished. And there is a wide range of relief on these medals too. Some are sunken, others are ultra high-relief. I recommend the series to any collector. Mine are all sterling silver (0.925) but I know they also came in pewter.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
987 Posts |
jeffbuckes I am really enjoying these. I sent you an email, when you have time let me know if you received it.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
840 Posts |
Thanks all for the kind words and encouragement. And @thisistheshow - I got your message and thanks for the advice!
Here come the last of my medals...
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
840 Posts |
Light Bulb - T.A. Edison - 1879 For this medal, I like the subject matter (Edison at work) but I feel like it could have used more detail. Edison's workshop was filled with instruments and workbenches, I might have enjoyed more of that. And Edison's head doesn't look right - I wonder if it was reworked at a late stage and this is what the artist reluctantly settled on?   |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
840 Posts |
Walt Whitman 1819~1892 I don't know much about Whitman but I like this medal... It's similar to the Audubon medal I posted yesterday. But I don't know what I'm looking at here. Is that young Walt at the table writing, and older Walt standing in the foreground? It's a mystery to me. Also, not sure why the dates get a tilde (~) instead of a hyphen (-). Not a complaint, just curious...   |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
840 Posts |
Walter Reed - 1901 Here's Dr. Reed hard at work in Cuba (I presume) innoculating some fellow against yellow fever. I like the subtlety of the design here - just a few guys getting the job done. But look at the details in the creased clothing, the open flap on the tent, etc. The details make the scene pop.   |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
840 Posts |
Washington Crossing the Delaware - 1776 What a great medal! The image fills the obverse just like it should. And I like the details too: watch those waves crash over the date; it gives the medal a beaux arts feel. And look at that flag blowing in the breeze. This medal is full of action!   |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
840 Posts |
Washington's Farewell to His Officers - 1783 This is a nice, simple medal that conveys the end of the American Revolution - the war is over and Washington is headed back to Virginia. It must have been a humbling experience in that room.   |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
840 Posts |
Women's Suffrage - 1920 This is a top 10 medal for me. The subject matter is hugely important, and the design elements are perfect. A woman in the foreground is signing in to vote (I presume), while another woman leads a young girl into the voting booth. And the period garb is represented in perfection - very well done all around.   |
| |
Replies: 156 / Views: 36,473 |
First Page
Previous Page
Posted 02/15/2019 10:35 am
