Title:
Washington Centennial medals
Description:
Washington Centennial medals, two pieces. One is housed in a white cardboard box. Printed on the cover of the box: By authority of the Committee. MDCCLXXXIX. Washington Centennial Medal. MDCCCLXXXIX. Designed by Augustus St. Gaudens. Obverse: Spread-winged eagle and the coat-of-arms of New York State on which it is inscribed: E Pluribus Unum. Extended inscription below the coat-of-arms states: To commemorate the inauguration of George Washington as First President of the United States of America at New York, April XXX MDCCLXXXIX. By authority of the committee on celebration, New York, April XXX, MDCCCLXXXIX. Reverse: Bust of George Washington in profile, looking to the left. On the right is a bundle of fasces, a symbol of the Republic. Inscribed: Pater-Patriae, MDCCLXXXIX. Written below the bust: Philip Martiny, Modeler, design and copyright by Augustus St. Gaudens.
Description:
Historical Note: This medal commemorates the centennial of George Washington's first inauguration in 1789. Two thousand copies of the medal were struck in 1889, and they were sold at the exhibition in honor of Washington's inauguration for two dollars. The medallion's relief format reflects Saint-Gaudens' beginnings as a cameo cutter during the 1860s, while its memorial subject is typical of much of his signature work. Augustus Saint-Gaudens was a leading American sculptor of the late 19th century who was celebrated for his public monuments and ideal figures. Trained at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Saint-Gaudens returned to the United States in 1875 and soon established himself as the foremost public sculptor in America.
Identifier:
ATF0347
Item identifier:
ATF0347
Collection:
Artifacts collection
Date of creation:
1889
Container information:
Artifact Box 0065
Subject:
Saint-Gaudens, Augustus, 1848-1907
Subject:
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Subject:
Inauguration
Subject:
Centennial celebrations, etc.
Type:
Image
Type:
Memorabilia
Type:
Medal, Commemorative
Medium:
Metal
Citation information:
ATF0347, Artifacts collection. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Copyright information:
This image is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States. The Item and its design depicted in this image may be protected by copyright, patents, trademarks, or other related rights. You are free to use this image in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. Unless expressly stated otherwise, Texas State Library and Archives Commission makes no warranties about the Item and cannot guarantee the accuracy of this Rights Statement. You are responsible for your own use. Please contact the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for more information. You may need to obtain other permissions for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy or moral rights may limit how you may use the material.
Size or duration:
not yet measured
Language:
English