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Abraham Lincoln Plaque. Bronze. 240 x 180 mm. This is a curious and fascinating plaque. It is identi

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:NA Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
Abraham Lincoln Plaque. Bronze. 240 x 180 mm. This is a curious and fascinating plaque. It is identi
Abraham Lincoln Plaque. Bronze. 240 x 180 mm. This is a curious and fascinating plaque. It is identical in design and layout to # 753 in Robert P. King's article "Lincoln in Numismatics," which takes up the entire issue of the February 1924 issue of The Numismatist. However, that plaquette measures 88 1/2 x 66 1/2 mm. A smaller reduction is listed as # 756 but measures only 59 1/2 x 45 mm. Similarly, Glenn Smedley's article "The Works of Victor David Brenner" in the July 1983 issue of The Numismatist also lists the larger version as mentioned in King's earlier article. However, we have been unable to locate a listing of this plaque in this larger size. The plaque shows the familiar bust of Lincoln facing right, as seen on the Lincoln Cent. Below the bust is ABRAHAM LINCOLN/**1809*1865**. On the lower right portion of the plaque is an oval with Brenner's initials inside and the date, 1907, below. Along the right margin is COPYRIGHT 1907 BY V.D. BRENNER. When President Theodore Roosevelt met Brenner in the summer of 1908, he was so impressed with his portrayal of Lincoln on the plaque from the previous year that he used his influence to get Brenner the commission in 1909 to redesign the Cent in commemoration of the hundredth anniversary of Lincoln's birth. The result being that Lincoln was the first president to show up on a regular U.S. coin (Washington, of course, had appeared on the 1900 Lafayette Dollar). Thus, the 1909 Cent is an adaptation in another medium of the work Brenner had done two years previously on the plaque. Much speculation over the years has centered around Lincoln's facing right on the coin. The answer is actually quite simple. Brenner's bust is a very close copy of Anthony Berger's 1864 profile photograph of Lincoln. This photo was rediscovered in 1906 and it provided the inspiration for Brenner's bas relief plaque of 1907. This was then adapted in tondo for both the Cent and a series of medals that provided the artist with a good income for some years. The plaque itself is in fine condition with the field and recesses being charcoal gray, while the highpoints show raw copper, giving the piece a two-toned appearance. There are no mentionable abrasions on the bronze. The plaque is mounted directly on a shield-shaped piece of wood that has a beveled edge around the top side. There are several scratches and abrasions on the wooden shield, and it appears the two have been together since 1907. The plaque has four screws that extend out from the back of the plaque for mounting on the wooden shield, three of which still remain. The wooden shield and plaque can easily be mounted on a wall by means of a thick wire that is fastened to the back of it. The provenance of this piece would be very interesting to know. Unfortunately, the consignor did not know any particulars. We believe, however, that Victor Brenner made this single piece in this large format. Did the sculptor own it personally? Was this the plaque Roosevelt saw in 1908? While we cannot be certain of the answer to either of these questions, it is fairly certain this is a unique item in this large format. It was unknown to both King and Smedley at the time they wrote their respective articles in 1924 and 1983. One could also deduce it was in private hands and unknown to collectors until sometime after 1983 (when Smedley wrote his article). A very important item for the collector of Lincolniana or for the advanced Lincoln Cent collector.From The New York "Eye Appeal" Collection. Important notice: We expect to be auctioning lots at the rate of 200-250 per hour. Sometimes eBay Premier live bid software cannot keep up with that pace, so we strongly recommend that you place a realistic proxy bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Also please note that all Heritage/CAA lots purchased through eBay Premier carry a 20% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions.