Ok, so maybe not a white whale...

Weiss

But I've been looking for a nice example of this piece for a long time.

It was being offered on eBay at perhaps slightly higher than market, though the market is pretty thin, and without a Make an Offer. I contacted the seller and asked if he'd consider less than he was asking. He told me if he didn't get any bids he'd consider it. Four or five days of nail-biting and thankfully none of you lot bid on this lot

We corresponded and agreed on a price. And he shipped it. IN A PADDED ENVELOPE!

It arrived this afternoon...

It's a bronze medal from the 1901 Pan American Exhibition in Buffalo, NY.
The medal was designed by Hermon MacNeil, who is better known as the designer of the standing liberty quarter. There were gilt, silver, and bronze editions, all made by Gorham.

Museums with this piece in their collection include The Met in NY and the Chicago Art Institute.

The exhibition was a world's fair and drew 8,000,000 people. It's also where McKinley was assassinated, but what are you going to do?

I'm absolutely head over heels for this medal. So much better than the seller's images. It's the most gorgeous milk-chocolate color.

soleagent

Great pick up, and an absolutely beautiful medal! Congrats.

MsMorrisine

fantastic

kaz

Terrific design! And it's BIG so you can really appreciate the artistry in hand.

ajaan

Love the medal and box. My grandfather was 16 years old and living in Buffalo at that time. It's cool to think he may have been at the Exhibition.

SeattleSlammer

Fantastic I love it ... and it would look perfect in my man case.

Flatwoods

That's a great example Weiss. I'm a sucker for the original boxes too, though I don't know why.
I usually take the medals out and it's just something else to keep up with.

TomB

I've got one of these, too, and the box for mine is in similar condition. Aren't these just wonderful?

tradedollarnut

Awesome!

steveben

wow!

PTVETTER

Outstanding

jonathanb

Nice. I had that bookmarked, was wonder if he'd relist it. :-)

nwcoast

That's an beautiful piece of art! A stunning design and execution.
Congratulations on this new addition.

Walkerfan

Exceptional artisanship went into that piece.

Like it very much.

ElKevvo

Really nice...thanks for posting it!

K

asheland

That's awesome! Congrats.
Can we see the mark? I've never owned a Gorham bronze.
Gorham is my favorite.

BillJones

That is a really neat item. I don't recall seeing one with the original box.

Weiss

@asheland said:
That's awesome! Congrats.
Can we see the mark? I've never owned a Gorham bronze.
Gorham is my favorite.

You mean take a picture? Of one of my coins? OK!

Jackthecat1

Great medal. An outstanding design by MacNeil.

cmerlo1

Awesome medal!

carabonnair

Wonderful find! Love this design. Years ago, I wrote an article about MacNeil. One of his sculptures is in a Portland, Oregon park. And there is this formidable site.

asheland

Thank you for that picture! Great piece and I love the color on it!

PerryHall

That edge view pic really shows how high the relief is. Were these ever struck in silver or gold?

ricko

Very impressive piece... congratulations on a superb acquisition... Cheers, RickO

Weiss

@PerryHall said:
That edge view pic really shows how high the relief is. Were these ever struck in silver or gold?

Yes, there were silver and gilt pieces, too. It's my understanding that some of the silver medals were actually silver plated bronze, and there were apparently a very few (less than 10) gold medals struck in solid gold, too. Those must have been some kind of presentation piece--I can't imagine them handing them out.

The Buffalo Museum has some references on these. I asked them if they had a record of what A.W. Thompson, the winner of my medal, might have won for. They were kind enough to direct me to the "Official Catalogue and Guide to the Pan-American Exposition" from 1901:

which included this entry:

I don't know for certain that it was this A. W. Thompson who won my piece. But I love thinking that the winner felt the same passion for native American culture and tradition that MacNeil was known for and that he captured so beautifully in the design of these medals.

TomB

Here is my medal with the same style presentation box, though my box has gone through more hard times-

My medal was awarded to M. W. Frisbie & Sons and the inside of the presentation box says "PRIZE RASPBERRIES". I have been able to find that they were farmers in Connecticut and grew raspberries, but have not found them mentioned yet in the pamphlet.

TomB

Ah, more searching has led me to find that M. W. Frisbie & Son won a bronze medal at the exposition for a display of fruits. Presumably, the fruits were raspberries.

Justacommeman

Super sweet!!

Congrats

Mark

Weiss

That's awesome, @TomB !

The online references indicate around 1,150 bronze medals were awarded. But they sure are hard to find.

I suppose they could be in deep, strong handed collections. But I wonder if maybe these were the type of item that was scrapped in WWI and WWII metal drives.

Any other thoughts about relative rarity for these?

TomB

I'm going to guess that even though this was a Pan-American exposition that the northeast US was disproportionately represented. I'd also expect that the attrition rate was very high given that there were two world wars and a major depression in store for these folks within the next two generations. Lastly, I expect that a fair number of these were awarded to out of country folks and these are likely to not return readily. Overall, my experience is that this award is far harder to obtain than the 1,150 number suggests.

mannie gray

Great information and two really superb pieces.
Beautiful!
Bronze medals and coins can be so very attractive; these are almost literally breathtaking.

keyman64

Well done, congrats!

bolivarshagnasty

Love it Weiss!

crazyhounddog

I too have been looking for that Buffalo medal for years on end. You my friend have found a stellar one, in the box too!
WOW! VERY nice indeed!!