Beschreibung
Struck at the U. S. Mint for Ambrose Swasey of the Rowfant Club, Cleveland, Ohio (1912). # 33 of 170., 1912. From the Clark Bibliography of Rowfant Club Publications (p. 74; 1925): "[John] Hay Medal designed and executed by Victor David Brenner, 1912, lettered 'John Hay/the Rowfant Club, Cleveland'; obverse, bust of John Hay; reverse, female figure with globe of the Americas and rolled chart of China coastline, with monogram V. D. B., lettered 'Open door in the Far East.' Issued [Cleveland] 1912. Bronze medal, 3" in diameter, 3/16" thick [.] 170 examples were struck, each numbered on the edge. This medal was the gift of Ambrose Swasey [1846-1937], past president of the Club. An example was presented to each member of the Club at the time of its issuance. One of the best examples of Brenner's excellent work. It was struck in bronze at the U. S. Mint." This example lacks the original morocco case & printed descriptive circular. This circular is quite rare & we will quote it in full from the Rowfant Club's archival copy: "When it was decided by the Rowfant Club to add a medal to its list of publications, the best subject was not far to seek. John Hay imposed himself. He was a great man, a man honorable and honored by his country and by the world as a statesman and diplomat, and he was a writer [The Bread Winners] and a reader and a lover of books. To Rowfanters, he was a Cleveland man, an honorary member of the Club, a man in sympathy with the Club's aims, indulgent of the Club's foibles. He was one who at the Sign of the Candle could be and was held in esteem and admiration, and also in affection. John Hay was born in Salem, Indiana, on the eighth of October, 1838. In 1858 he was graduated from Brown University, then he studied law three years and was admitted to the Bar of the State of Illinois. His public life began in 1861, when President Lincoln took him from Springfield to Washington as one of his secretaries. He stayed with Mr. Lincoln until the latter's death, and afterward entered the diplomatic service and was Secretary of Legations successively in Paris, Madrid, and Vienna. In 1897 he was by President McKinley appointed Ambassador to the Court of St. James, and in September, 1898, he became Secretary of State. He held this office until his death. From 1869 to 1897 he was in private life, living principally in New York, Washington and Cleveland. In 1874 he married Miss Clara Stone, daughter of Amasa Stone, of Cleveland. He died on the first of July, 1905. The medal was designed and executed by Victor Brenner, and struck in bronze by the United States Mint, in the number of 170 examples, of which this accompanies Number---. It is the gift to the Rowfant Club of Ambrose Swasey, Past President of the Club, and is issued to Rowfanters as a Club Publication." The medal has some fingerprinting & a few age-related dark spots & a very small (1 mm.) defect to upper left inner rim of obverse. Approximate weight is 5 oz. Brenner is best known as the designer of the Lincoln penny; he did work for the Grolier Club as well. A very rare piece of Rowfant memorabilia. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers ABE-65506613
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