1932 Washington quarter design competition
Mike2951
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I am researching the design of the 1932 Washington quarter and am trying to find a list of the people that entered this design competition, There was approximately 100 entrants, I know that Laura Fraser and Thomas Cremona entered and John Flanagan. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Mike
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Go to NARA at College Park, Maryland. Request RG104, Entry 328-I "Case Files on US Coins." You want boxes 2 and 3.
Here are designs by Erwin Frey (top) and "R.AMM" (bottom).
@RogerB You always amaze me with posts like this!!
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I hope it's helpful to the OP -- after all, it was his first post.
The Erwin Frey design would have been better than the Flannigan design that was selected.
Flanagan's obverse was "ok" but needed work. His reverse initially was a family of eagles. This was replaced with the "hanging bat" after the Sec Treasury told him to come up with something better. Here's the letter to Flanagan:
Here's a more commonly see design presentation by A.T. Tigue.
Frey was a student at Ohio State University.
[I'll leave the rest of the story to the OP so he can research and write his article in peace.]
Well, it's good to know that there were entries that were worse than Flannigan's contribution.
I was having trouble trying to understand the symbolism on that line drawn entry. When I first saw the chopped down cherry tree, I was thinking that it might have been dead pelican with its beak in the sand. The lines above “Quarter Dollar” I suppose are clouds, although it could also be an example abstract art.
The symbolism below the “Washington portrait” is confusing. It looks like "racoon droppings, pine branch and love." Oh well, I hope Mr. Tigue didn’t hang his hopes on beating the Great Depression upon his Washington Quarter entry.
One thing I will say for Mr. Tigue. He did put in more effort and was more innovative than Robert Lamb’s lame entry for the reverse of the 1991 Mt. Rushmore Commemorative $5 gold. I would have happily submitted the same thing for half the prize money. That has to be one of the worst designs in the modern commemorative coin series.
that Frey design is interesting, almost too modern for the time. of course, the 30's were still enjoying the Art Deco style and that was a forward looking design period. the obverse sort of looks like the early 2000's redesign of the Jefferson Nickel and the Eagle reverse reminds me of the Eisenhower Dollar reverse.
oh, what could have been........................
It helps to be friends with the Treasury Secretary. That's how you get a seagull on a quarter!
https://www.usacoinbook.com/encyclopedia/coin-designers/john-flanagan/
RE: The symbolism below the “Washington portrait” is confusing. It looks like "racoon droppings, pine branch and love."
"First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen."
But I kind a' like Bill's interpretation better.
PS: A letter in the file notes that Frey's models were returned to him. Maybe they exist and will turn up one day? Sadly, as in similar public art competitions including our own Bicentennial coin event, most entries are of Mr. Tigue's skill level.
Maybe Mr. Tigue could have used a cannon instead of a pile of cannon balls for his war image. The olive branch also should have been a bit larger.
RE: Mt. Rushmore reverse.
Yep, it's awful. However, bunches of people had to approve and accept that, so I suspect there was a demand from the sponsor/ member of Congress to use lettering. Lamb might get the "ding," but others led that design to slaughter.
I have a couple of these rattling around in my "what to do with" drawer. Apparently another entry. I'm not a fan of the design as it looks like George is in jail. And it doesn't really look like George.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
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This is an "artist" referred to by the OP.
[Hmmmm..the OP has yet to pick up his mail....I won't add more unless someone requests it.]
Some strange offerings indeed.... I imagine there are some weird one's submitted for new coins as well... Cheers, RickO
Photos/sketches of most designs do not exist in NARA files. If the artist included photos with his/her model the photos were usually retained and the model returned or destroyed.