Exonumia Auction - Maine Antique Digest

Miscellaneous Tokens and MedalsThis $10,000 award was endowed in memory of Harold K.Guinzberg, Founder of Viking Press. It is conferred on a livingAmerican writer for his total contribution to American letters. Itwas first presented to 1965 to Thornton Wilder and is consideredas one of the most prestigious awards in the field. (G)Lot 504 (reduced)Ms. Worth phone number and so we called her. What followedwas a delightful 30 minute conversation with the artist whoseverve and memory belies her 88 years. She instantly recognizedmy description of her design and recalled that it was executed foruse in a fund raiser for the State of Israel, a cause dear to her heart.As she remembers it, donors to the charity (the name of which shecould not remember) of $10,000 or more would receive one ofthe galvanos. Smaller medallic renditions, with the donor’s nameengraved on the reverse, were also presented. Ms. Worth recallswith pride that $60,000 (over $400,000 in today’s money) wasraised in this manner and that 6 of the galvanos were presentedto the generous donors. To her knowledge, these were the onlygalvanos made. The artist, herself, did not even receive one! (H)Lot 506Lot 505 (reduced)505. NATIONAL MEDAL FOR LITERATURE, (1965). (Illustratedon p. 86 of Friedenberg’s Jewish Minters & Medalists.) 63.7mm.Bronze. Leonard Baskin, Sc. (MACO)., Uncirculated with apleasant dark brown patina. Obverse with Baskin’s seeminglyubiquitous eagle/ phoenix figure rising from a book. The reverseis inscribed in script letters, THE/ NATONAL MEDAL/ FOR/LITERATURE/ AWARDED/ TO./ (uninscribed) NATIONALBOOK COMMITTEE.506. NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART DISTINGUISHEDSERVICE MEDAL, (1966). 76.5mm. Bronze. Leonard Baskin,Sc. (MACO-NY). Uncirculated with original dark brown patina.The obverse bears a large displayed eagle in the typical Baskinstyle. The reverse legend: NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART USAaround FOR/ DISTINGUISHED/ SERVICE TO/ EDUCATIONIN ART. Rare – one of the most coveted of the NGA awards. (G)507. THE MICHAEL FRIEDSAM MEDAL AWARDED TO MRS.VINCENT ASTOR, 1968. 63.2mm. Gilt Bronze. Robert Aitken,Sc. (MACO). Choice Uncirculated, but with a suspension holedrilled in the rim at 12:00. Housed in its original black leatherpresentation case imprinted with the Medallic Art Co. name on151H