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H
Presidential and Political
of one of the most significant speeches delivered early in TR;s
presidency. He stated, in part:
“I Believe in the Monroe Doctrine with all my heart and soul; I am
convinced that the immense majority of our fellow-countrymen
so believe in it; but I would infinitely prefer to see us abandon
it than to see us put it forward and bluster about it, and yet fail
to build up the efficient fighting strength which in the last resort
can alone make it respected by any strong foreign power whose
interest it may ever happen to be to violate it. There is a homely
old adage which runs: “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you
will go far.” If the American nation will speak softly and yet build
and keep at a pitch of the highest training a thoroughly efficient
navy the Monroe Doctrine will go far.” (F)
213.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT - FRIENDLY SON OF ST.
PATRICK BANQUET PLAQUE, 1905.
Unlisted by Fuld.
7 1/2 x 5 1/2” irregularly shaped. Bronzed pot metal. Uniface,
with hanger attachment on the reverse, as made. About
Uncirculated. At left, an art nouveau style female figure holds
the flags of the US and Ireland over busts of Washington and
Theodore Roosevelt. The seal of the society is below. At right
is inscribed: 121ST/ ANNIVERSARY/ BANQUET/ MARCH
17TH/ 1905. On the reverse is an integral loop for hanging.
(G-H)
214.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT PLAQUE BY BRENNER
1908.
Un l i s t ed by Sme d l ey.
11 x 14 ¾”. Cast Bronze.
Victor D. Brenner, Sc.. Mint Condition with an even satin
brown patina. Absolutely stunning looking! A superb low relief
portrait of our 24
th
President inscribed at bottom: THEODORE
ROOSEVELT MCMVIII. Inscribed above and to the right of the
last I in the Roman numeral date running up the shoulder is the
vertical signature, V. D. BRENNER, Sc.
In the catalog of the 1910 International Exhibition of
Contemporary Medalists, under
#148,
is the following
description: “Theodore Roosevelt, 1908. Plaquette, galvano
silvered. 180 x 130mm. (The obverse of
NO. 136
was reduced
from this model.) (Our note, #136 was the 31mm Panama
Canal Medal.)
A large plaque, cast in bronze, also exists in
four copies, and was modeled from life in 1908. This later
plaque is the prototype of NOS 148 and 136
. “ No mention
is made of the size of this larger size plaque nor is there any
notation that the Brenner signature on the smaller plaque appears
at the upper right hand corner while on the larger plaque it runs
vertically up the shoulder.
Almost 25 years ago we purchased one of these large size plaques
which we noted as measuring 11 ¾ x 15 ½”. At the time we
assumed that this piece was one of the four galvanos referred
to in the 1910 Exhibition Catalog.
If
this was an accurate
measurement, then it would seem that the piece offered here, in
spite of its near pristine appearance and our gut feeling to the
contrary, is an aftercast. If so, it was done by a very talented
professional with a result that would give no rise to any suspicion
that it was an aftercast had it not been for the unconfirmed
measurement from 25 years ago.
We have no auction records for this large size vertically signed
Lot 212 (reduced)
Lot 213 (reduced)
Lot 214 (reduced)