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A N D O T H E R R E L A T E D M E M O R A B I L I A
Official Presidential Inaugural Medals
GROVER CLEVELAND, 1893
245.
OFFICIAL MEDAL AND RIBBON.
This lot consists of two
separate items. The first is a bronze pinback header marked
Whitehead & Hoag from which is suspended a pair of ribbons.
The blue back ribbon is badly frayed and is inscribed in not
very faint letters, PUBLIC COMFORT at the bottom. The red,
white & blue suspension ribbon is not inscribed and is in terrible
condition – barely held together by a few strands of fabric.
Our consignor thought that this was a complete example of GC
1893-1 – that badge is silvered white metal issued to Committee
Chairmen and members of the Executive Committee. We think
not. If it was an Executive Committee badge then it would not
say PUBLIC COMFORT on the back ribbon, If it was the badge
issued to the Chairman of the Public Comfort Committee, then
CHAIRMAN would be inscribed on the R/W/B suspension
ribbon.
We believe this to be parts of two different 1893 badges – The
three piece header and ribbons from a Public Comfort Committee
badge and a rare silvered white metal drop that came from either
an Executive Committee badge or the badge from a Committee
Chairman. (H)
246.
INAUGURAL AIDE BADGE AND SASH, 1893.
The badge
consists of two pieces of polished brass joined together. The
under piece is fronted with red satin. The over piece design
bears a spread eagle perched on top of the following cut-out
inscription: CLEVELAND/ PRESIDENT/ MARCH 4, 1893/
AIDE in ornate script letters. The joining of the two pieces is
done in such a manner than the red satin shows through the
open parts of the top piece. A bright red ribbon in the form of
a bow passes through the loop above the eagle
The AIDE badge has been pinned with a large red ribbon to a 3
½’ long blue & white sash with gilt tassels at bottom and a gilt
braid five pointed star with red center. The sash is almost mint
and is without tears. Only the third we know of complete with
sash. We sold the AIDE badge without the sash for $1207.50 in
our 2008 Sale #78 (#371.) ($1500+ {model not included!})
WILLIAM McKINLEY, 1901
247.
OFFICIAL MEDAL, 1901.
WMcK 1901-3; Marqusee 29.
44mm. Bronze. Uncirculated. Obverse with a profile of the
President to the left, around which is the legend: SECOND
Lot 247
Lot 245 (reduced)
Lot 246 (reduced)