Medals about Bridges

The paperweight's obverse bears a radiant maiden holding two shields, one with the American eagle perched on Stars and Stripes, one with Canadian beaver and maple leaves over Union Jack. Above, AMBASSADOR BRIDGE; to left, THE / VISIBLE / EXPRESSION / OF FRIEND-/ SHIP IN / THE HEARTS; to right, OF TWO / PEOPLES / WITH LIKE / IDEAS / AND IDEALS; signed near maiden's left foot with (JMS monogram) in circle; below, 1930.

The reverse bears the inscription COMPLIMENTS / OF / J W AUSTIN.

This paperweight commemorates the completion of the Ambassador Bridge across the Detroit River between Detroit on the U.S. side and Windsor on the Canadian side.

The bridge was a highly controversial, privately funded enterprise. John W. Austin and Joseph A. Bower came up with the idea and pushed it through over the vehement objections of Detroit mayor John Smith. A public referendum finally approved the project after a protracted political and legal battle. Construction began in 1927 and the bridge opened just three years later in 1930.

Jonathan Swanson created a beautiful plaque that decorates the bridge to this day and bridge financiers Austin and Bower had the paperweights produced as mementos.

The paperweight measures 70mm x 100mm and was produced by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

The obverse bears perspective of Hudson River suspension bridge. Around left and top, GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE; below, BUILT AND OWNED BY / THE PORT OF NEW YORK AUTHORITY.

The reverse displays muses clasping hands over relief map of river and harbor. Around, A MEMORIAL TO FRIENDLY COOPERATION BETWEEN STATES; in exergue, NEW JERSEY - NEW YORK; signed at left top of exergue, KILENYI

In 1931, the Port Authority opened two major bridges, the George Washington Bridge on October 24th and the Bayonne Bridge on November 14th. The George Washington Bridge Dedication was a big affair commemorated with 2 gold medals, silver medals, bronze medals in 2 sizes, a hanging badge and a small round medal, represented here.

The dedication was a major political event. The Governor of New York, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a man with serious Presidential aspirations, was one of the major participants in the ceremonies.

All variants were produced by the Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey.

The obverse bears standing figures of European settler, at left, and Native American, at right, against background of topographical map of New York and New Jersey. Above, DIVIDED BY NATURE UNITED FOR MUTUAL WELFARE; below: THE PORT OF / NEW YORK; signed at lower left, KILENYI.

The reverse shows Bayonne Bridge with seals of New York and New Jersey below with scrolls labelled: "NEW YORK" and "NEW JERSEY". Above, BUILT AND OWNED BY THE PORT OF NEW YORK AUTHORITY; inscription BAYONNE / BRIDGE / DEDICATED 1931.

In 1931, the Port Authority opened two major bridges, the George Washington Bridge on October 24th and the Bayonne Bridge on November 14th. The George Washington Bridge Dedication was a big affair commemorated with 2 gold medals, silver medals, bronze medals in 2 sizes, a hanging badge and a small round medal.

The dedication was a major political event. The Governor of New York, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a man with serious Presidential aspirations, was one of the major participants in the ceremonies. Three weeks later, the major state election now past, the Port Authority ordered only enough medals to service the needs of the Bayonne Bridge Dedication on the day. Hence relatively few of the small round medals were probably produced.

Furthermore, there was the small issue of a short notice name change. On Oct. 31st, the Port Authority changed the name of the bridge from the Kill van Kull Bridge to the Bayonne Bridge. This added a time constraint that would also have mitigated against a larger number of medals than absolutely necessary being produced before the opening two weeks later.

All variants were produced by the Whitehead & Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey.