THIS NEW YORK OFFICAL EXPOSITON, WORLD’S FAIR OR EXHIBITION AS THIS ONE WAS CALLED, WAS THE FIRST IN THE COUNTRY. IT WAS THE 1853 CRYSTAL PALACE IN NEW YORK, TAKING ITS NAME FROM LONDON’S SPECTACULAR BUILDING THAT HOUSED THAT FIRST WORLD’S FAIR. The president of the Association for the Exhibition of Industry of All Nations was the famous P.T. Barnum. According to records there were 125 silver and 1,150 bronze medals struck. Tiffany & Co. was awarded a silver medal. Because no gold medals were awarded at the fair, the silver medal was given only for originality of design, invention, or discovery, coupled with skill of fabrication and excellence of material.2 The organizers and juries of the awards followed the precedent of the Great Exhibition in London, where there were two classes of medals—silver and bronze—and an honorable mention. In New York, a total of 115 silver medals were awarded; 1,186 bronze medals; and 1,210 exhibitors received an honorable mention.
1853 BRONZE AWARD MEDAL NEW YORK EXPOSITION
Bronze or Copper Medal approx. 56mm , 93gr , by JA OERTEL del CC WRIGHT SC. The obverse displays a woman wearing a crown. She hands a laurel wreath to a woman kneeling before her. Behind the kneeling woman is an angel. The artist’s signature reads, ” J.A.OERTEL DEL: C.C.C WRIGHT SC.”
1853 BRONZE AWARD MEDAL NEW YORK EXPOSITION
EXHIBITION OF THE INDUSTRY OF ALL NATIONS NEW-YORK 1853. The reverse displays a wreath surrounding the legend which reads, “EXHIBITION OF THE INDUSTRY OF ALL NATIONS, NEW YORK 1853.” There is no image on the reverse besides the wreath.
1853 SILVER AWARD MEDAL NEW YORK EXPOSITION
EXHIBITION OF THE INDUSTRY OF ALL NATIONS NEW-YORK 1853. This is one of the 125 silver award medals.