Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
January 2021 Auction 15-16 Jan 2021
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GERMANY. Empire. World's Columbian Exposition/German Delegation Gold Award Medal, 1893. PCGS Genuine--Tooled, AU Details Gold Shield.
Eglit-Unlisted. Diameter: 50mm. Presented to Ferdinand W. Peck. Obverse: Veiled female figure, holding branch and wreath, seated slightly right, head left, before Exposition building; on her lap rests central tablet reading FERDINAND W. PECK; IN DANKBARER / ERINNERUNG in two lines in exergue; Reverse: COLUMBISCHE WELTAUSSTELLUNG / IN CHICAGO 1893 / DEUTSCHE ABTHEILUNG, imperial eagle facing, with head left, wings spread, tasseled crown above, and coat-of-arms on breast. Edge: A few marks as well as loop attached at the top. Bright gold on the obverse, with a more reserved, original honey-rose color on the reverse. Though the obverse has been lightly cleaned and there is some evidence for a minor bend along the upper left border, this nevertheless remains a highly interesting and engaging Columbian Exposition type, and one which is clearly not at all encountered often.
Eglit-Unlisted. Diameter: 50mm. Presented to Ferdinand W. Peck. Obverse: Veiled female figure, holding branch and wreath, seated slightly right, head left, before Exposition building; on her lap rests central tablet reading FERDINAND W. PECK; IN DANKBARER / ERINNERUNG in two lines in exergue; Reverse: COLUMBISCHE WELTAUSSTELLUNG / IN CHICAGO 1893 / DEUTSCHE ABTHEILUNG, imperial eagle facing, with head left, wings spread, tasseled crown above, and coat-of-arms on breast. Edge: A few marks as well as loop attached at the top. Bright gold on the obverse, with a more reserved, original honey-rose color on the reverse. Though the obverse has been lightly cleaned and there is some evidence for a minor bend along the upper left border, this nevertheless remains a highly interesting and engaging Columbian Exposition type, and one which is clearly not at all encountered often.
Ferdinand Wythe Peck was born into a Chicago family very well known for their wealth--a fortune derived from real estate. Emanating from one of the most well-to-do households in the city, Ferdinand spent much of his life be engaged civically and giving back to the community. One of his best known acts was serving as the financer for Chicago's Auditorium Building, completed in 1889 (interestingly enough, this edifice also boasts a famous apprentice to work on its interior during his early career--Frank Lloyd Wright). The present gold medal was likely awarded to Peck for a leadership role in which he served during the World's Columbian Exposition held in his native Chicago in 1893.
Estimate: $3000.00- $4500.00