LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Sept Long Beach Tokens & Medals Auction  / 

82016

Rare French 1876 U.S. Centennial Medal With Box

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:220.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
Rare French 1876 U.S. Centennial Medal With Box
<B>Rare French 1876 U.S. Centennial Medal With Box Personalized to Frédéric Bartholdi, Statue of Liberty Sculptor. </B></I> Bronze, 50.5 mm, proof, edge-stamped "(bee symbol) CUIVRE. Obverse: Female figure seated on a pedestal and extending a wreath, around "EXPOSITION INTERNATIONAL DE PHILADELPHIE EN 1876" and in exergue, "PARTICIPATION DE LA FRANCE." Reverse: Wreath with MINISTERE DE L"AGRICULTURE ET DU COMMERCE around. The medal is set into a purple-velvet-lined box with "MR. BARTHOLDI F.A." stamped onto the top. Beautifully lustrous Choice PR64 (uncertified) surfaces that are a medium chestnut-brown color with tinges of <BR> In addition to the medal and box, a printed card is included, which reads: "New York Club, July 3 1876 At the Request of Mr. (script: Chaurteau?) the privileges of the Club House are extended to you for two weeks. (signed) John Schuyler, Secretary. To August Bartholdi Esq. (script) for (NCR?) <BR> The note is, clearly, a personalized invitation to <B>Frédéric </B></I>Auguste Bartholdi (1834-1904), the designer of the Statue of Liberty. As a point of interest, on the next day, Centennial Day, July 4, 1876, Bartholdi visited Bedloe Island to look over the future site of the Statue of Liberty. <BR> At the Philadelphia International Exposition in 1876, The right arm and torch of the Statue of Liberty were showcased. For a fee of 50 cents, visitors could climb the ladder to the balcony. The money so raised was used to fund the rest of the statue, technically named "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening The World," which would not be dedicated for another 10 years.<BR> This is a fantastic opportunity to acquire a piece of French and American history belonging to the most celebrated 19th century sculptor, famous in Europe and in North America.<BR><I>Ex: IEGOR Montreal sale (4/2004) of material from the personal collection of Bartholdi.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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