(c.1878) Medal GW-134 WM, Civic Procession Bookplate Mule MS(PCGS#784610)

Winter 2022 U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

2141

等级

MS62

价格

23,729

详细说明

Circa 1878 Philadelphia Civic Procession — Washington Bookplate Muling. Musante GW-134, Baker-A286. White Metal. MS-62 (PCGS). 32.8 mm. 195.2 grains. Brilliant surfaces with sharply prooflike fields and crisp, frosty devices that stand out nicely against the reflective background. Abrasions at the right obverse fields and just above CIVIC on the reverse help to identify this as the plate piece in both the Rulau-Fuld revision of Medallic Portraitsand in Neil Musante's Medallic Washington. As reported in Musante, Harzfield commented in his own December 7, 1878 sale at lot 526 that this muling was an accidental occurrence. That being the case, and his commentary seeming also apologetic, it is likely that an extremely small number were made, probably in the single digits, though one did appear in the William Spohn Baker Collection sold by us in November 2019, at lot 20113. Additional information pertaining to this lot: 1832 Introduction 1832 marked the Centennial Anniversary of the birth of George Washington, and with his memory still very much alive more than three decades after his passing, celebrations were taken seriously. In Philadelphia, a massive Civic Procession was planned and executed. Even the newspapers in the city did not publish on February 23rd, as they were asked to not work on the day of the celebration, in honor of Washington-the day they would have otherwise prepared the 23rd's editions. The February 24, 1832, edition of Philadelphia's The United States Gazetteoffered these observations and commentaries on the events of the day, among others: "The hundredth birth day of Washington was celebrated on Wednesday throughout the United States, with pomp and circumstances suited to the character and claims of our country's father, according to the feelings and view of citizens. Those who conscientiously avoid public parades, felt undoubtedly grateful for the benefits received, no less sensible of the claims for deep and lasting respect, which the services of Washington had upon them. "Philadelphia, on the occasion, manifested unusual display to give emphatic expression to feelings of love for the character, and gratitude for the services, of Washington. "For several days previous to the twenty second, the note of preparation was heard in every part of the city. The daily papers were crowded with notices of meetings of different trades, professions, and companies, for the purpose of considering the best mode of celebrating the occasion; committees of arrangement were formed, and each vied with the rest in a laudable and friendly emulation, to testify his respect for the great character whose birth day they were about to celebrate. Meanwhile, artists and artisans of every description were busy in the preparation of various insignia for the occasion…" "…About 9 o'clock A.M. the different trades, fire companies, and military bands, were seen organizing in their respective places of rendezvous-and the busy movement of citizens with the badges of the day, and the different insignia of their craft and their official rank, was highly interesting and enlivening, while cheerful activity beamed in every face, and showed itself in the bouyancy [sic] of every step…" "…The streets through which the procession passed, were crowded with people, anxiously gazing at the most imposing spectacle that has ever been exhibited in Philadelphia." It was estimated that 10,000 to 15,000 people participated in the procession which was between four and five miles in length and lasted just several hours (accounts vary). The few medals that follow, along with the unique GW-91 offered earlier in this sale, are artifacts that relate directly to this occasion, and are among the few such medals that can be assigned a very specific time, place and purpose. Provenance: From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex the David Hirsch Collection; Presidential Coin and Antique's sale of June 2011, lot 245. Click herefor certification details from PCGS. Image with the PCGS TrueView logo is obtained from and is subject to a license agreement with Collectors Universe, Inc. and its divisions PCGS and PSA.