The John E. Marqusee Collection

References:   Marqusee 219,220

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Abraham Lincoln, full right.Around, FOR A FURTHER UNIFICATION OF THE PEOPLE; signed over left shoulder, KILENYI

The reverse bears view of entrance to the two tunnel pipes with cars entering and exiting, city skyline in background. In exergue, LINCOLN TUNNEL / DEDICATED 1937 / BUILT AND OWNED BY / THE PORT OF NEW YORK AUTHORITY

The medals were struck in bronze and sterling silver by the Robbins Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts. The mintage is 2,000 pieces in the large bronze size, 75 in sterling silver, and 10,000 in the small bronze size.  Unique foot-sized plaques and plasters are reported as well.

References:   Marqusee 221,222

References:   Marqusee 223

The medal's obverse bears a winged plaque and lots of lext. Around top, THE PORT OF NEW YORK AUTHORITY; at top of center, NEW YORK / INTERNATIONAL / AIRPORT; on plaque, DEDICATION / JULY 31, 1948, followed by long list of names and titles; plaque surrounded by airport statistics.

The medal's reverse bears an aireal view of runway layout with clouds at top and sea at bottom. Around bottom edge, © NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT; signed over shoreline at left, KILENYI

New York International Airport, now known as John F. Kennedy airport, was built to relieve LaGuardia Airport which was overcrowded soon after opening in 1939. Construction began in 1943, and about $60 million was initially spent of governmental funding, but only 1,000 acres (400 ha) of land on the site of the Idlewild Golf Course were earmarked for use.

The project was renamed Major General Alexander E. Anderson Airport in 1943, after a Queens resident who had commanded a Federalized National Guard unit in the southern United States and died in late 1942. In March 1948 the New York City Council changed the name to New York International Airport, Anderson Field, but the common name was "Idlewild" until 1963.

The Port Authority leased the JFK property from the City of New York in 1947 and maintains this lease today. The first airline flight from JFK was on July 1, 1948; the opening ceremony was attended by then U.S. President Harry S. Truman. The Port Authority cancelled foreign airlines' permits to use LaGuardia, forcing them to move to JFK during the next couple of years.

This medal measures 76mm (3in) in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Robbins Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts. A silver variant was part of the Marqusee collection.

References:   Marqusee 226

References:   Marqusee 227

References:   Marqusee 230

The medal's obverse bears a family scene consisting of father with maiden on his knee and mother holding an infant son in her lap. Above, small I.K.1910 followed by larger "FELICITAS DOMI FOCIQVE"

The reverse bears female in flowing chiton holding a branch, blessing a humble cottage. Above, "THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME"; signed "I KONTI SC"

In the accompanying book de Kay referred to the scene as

"a father telling some tale to the eager maiden who leans against his knee, the mother listening as she contemplates the little son in her lap..."

He further commented:

"In all ages the family as a unit of happiness and harmony has had its enemies, chiefly men and women who have made a failure of their own domestic lives. But at present the attacks are more hidden and herefore more insidious than ever before... the rage for movement and travel adds to a widespread discontent with the uneventful calm of the home. Massing of populations in towns makes domestic life difficult, while general unrest and dissatisfaction continue to increase, along with a wealth of comforts and luxuries unknown before."

He was also deeply troubled by the women's suffrage movement and the challenge it posed to the "relative position of the sexes" but concluded:

"Members of the Circle who hold one opinion or another will be likely to agree that family affection and the love of the home are worthy of a medal in the projected series."

The circular medallion measures 70mm in diameter and was struck both by the nascent Medallic Art Company and Jos. K. Davidson of Philadelphia. No mintages are reported.

References:   Baxter 307, CoF 2, Marqusee 231

The medal's obverse bears a strutting turkey cock and the legend AMERICA, with signature ALBERT - / LAESSLE. Turtle shell under signature.

The reverse bears an ear of corn framed by separated husks. Around, ABUNDANCE.

Laessle said in the brochure that accompanied the medal:

"Wishing to symbolize the abundance of America, I have chosen for my medal two truly American subjects, the turkey and the corn."

It should be noted that America, like most other developed nations at the time, was still in the grip of the Great Depression when this medal was issued.

This medal was chosen as the 10th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. It measures 73mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported mintage for this issue is 1,021 pieces in bronze and 125 in silver.

References:   MACo 1930-001-010, Marqusee 234, SoM 10

The medal's obverse bears an eagle standing guard over nest with two eggs in front of Independence Hall and rising sun. Signed, ALBERT LAESSLE.

The reverse bears a laurel wreath around central field with rising sun and legend MEDAL OF AWARD. Around, SESQUICENTENNIAL - INTERNATIONAL - EXPOSITION - PHILADELPHIA / 1776 - 1926.

Leassle designed this medal for an exposition on his "home turf" in Philadelphia. He was justly awarded with his own medal in gold.

The circular medal measures 76mm in diameter and was struck by Baily Banks & Biddle Co., Philadelphia. No mintage is reported.

References:   Marqusee 235

The obverse bears Art Deco style allegory depicting a kneeling female figure (representing the city) with five smaller figures (representing the five boroughs) standing on her extended leg. Around, THE CITY OF NEW YORK / * * * * *; signed along edge at 5:00 position: MICHAEL LANTZ.

The reverse bears flying male figure at top with skyscrapers below to either side; at bottom right, a reclining female figure holding book; at bottom left, a factory with smokestacks; at center, inscribed field surrounded by the names of the five boroughs: MANHATTAN BROOKLYN QUEENS BRONX RICHMOND. This piece contains inscription: PRESENTED BY / MAYOR / WILLIAM O'DWYER / TO MAYOR / KENDIG C. BARE / LANCASTER. PENN. / 1950

This medal is the highest award conferred upon civilians by the City of New York. The medal is presented by the Mayor to those individuals who have demonstrated, "exceptional citizenship and outstanding achievement."

The recipients come from a wide range of backgrounds, including ordinary citizens, foreign dignitaries, athletes, and film stars. The recipient of this particular piece was Kendig C. Bare, the mayor of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was mayor from 1950 to 1958 and served in the Korean War in 1950/1951. This particular piece seems to be one of the earliest because the medal was only designed in 1948. There is also a companion Golden Anniversary medal that shares many of the design elements.

This medal measures 70mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1948-012-001, Marqusee 236