1892-93 Official Columbian Exposition Award Medal With Complete Box, Papers, and Packing Materials.
Eglit-90. Bronze. 76mm. The 1893 Columbian Exposition held in Chicago’s White City was the grandest world’s fair in the United States to that point, celebrating the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ “discovery” of the New World in 1892. These medals were presented to prize-winning exhibitors and distinguished fairgoers. While collectible, they remain among the most sought-after souvenirs from that historic event.
The story of the medal’s design and production is well-known to many collectors. Master sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens was asked to produce a sculpture of the event’s namesake, but overwhelmed with commissions, agreed instead to design a medal. The obverse featured Columbus taking his first steps on the American continent, while the reverse showed a tasteful depiction of a young boy in the nude with a torch held high and a place for the recipient’s name below. Controversy ensued after sketches of the reverse were leaked to the public – the American citizenry being far too prudish to look at a nude boy. Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, Charles Barber, was asked to design a new reverse, which was accepted and is seen here. Saint-Gaudens was appalled by the mating of the two designs and never forgave Barber. This animosity would weigh heavily on Saint-Gaudens and Barber’s relationship years later during their work on a new double eagle at President Roosevelt’s behest.
The present example, presented to John C. Shaw, is perfectly preserved in its original blue velvet-lined aluminum case. Perhaps even more impressive is that it survives with all of its original paperwork and packing material, from an outer wooden box to protective corrugated cardboard inserts, to the original tissue paper. These extras are virtually never seen.
Eglit-90. Bronze. 76mm. The 1893 Columbian Exposition held in Chicago’s White City was the grandest world’s fair in the United States to that point, celebrating the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ “discovery” of the New World in 1892. These medals were presented to prize-winning exhibitors and distinguished fairgoers. While collectible, they remain among the most sought-after souvenirs from that historic event.
The story of the medal’s design and production is well-known to many collectors. Master sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens was asked to produce a sculpture of the event’s namesake, but overwhelmed with commissions, agreed instead to design a medal. The obverse featured Columbus taking his first steps on the American continent, while the reverse showed a tasteful depiction of a young boy in the nude with a torch held high and a place for the recipient’s name below. Controversy ensued after sketches of the reverse were leaked to the public – the American citizenry being far too prudish to look at a nude boy. Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, Charles Barber, was asked to design a new reverse, which was accepted and is seen here. Saint-Gaudens was appalled by the mating of the two designs and never forgave Barber. This animosity would weigh heavily on Saint-Gaudens and Barber’s relationship years later during their work on a new double eagle at President Roosevelt’s behest.
The present example, presented to John C. Shaw, is perfectly preserved in its original blue velvet-lined aluminum case. Perhaps even more impressive is that it survives with all of its original paperwork and packing material, from an outer wooden box to protective corrugated cardboard inserts, to the original tissue paper. These extras are virtually never seen.
Eglit-90. Bronze. 76mm. The 1893 Columbian Exposition held in Chicago’s White City was the grandest world’s fair in the United States to that point, celebrating the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ “discovery” of the New World in 1892. These medals were presented to prize-winning exhibitors and distinguished fairgoers. While collectible, they remain among the most sought-after souvenirs from that historic event.
The story of the medal’s design and production is well-known to many collectors. Master sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens was asked to produce a sculpture of the event’s namesake, but overwhelmed with commissions, agreed instead to design a medal. The obverse featured Columbus taking his first steps on the American continent, while the reverse showed a tasteful depiction of a young boy in the nude with a torch held high and a place for the recipient’s name below. Controversy ensued after sketches of the reverse were leaked to the public – the American citizenry being far too prudish to look at a nude boy. Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, Charles Barber, was asked to design a new reverse, which was accepted and is seen here. Saint-Gaudens was appalled by the mating of the two designs and never forgave Barber. This animosity would weigh heavily on Saint-Gaudens and Barber’s relationship years later during their work on a new double eagle at President Roosevelt’s behest.
The present example, presented to John C. Shaw, is perfectly preserved in its original blue velvet-lined aluminum case. Perhaps even more impressive is that it survives with all of its original paperwork and packing material, from an outer wooden box to protective corrugated cardboard inserts, to the original tissue paper. These extras are virtually never seen.