Medals relating to International Business Machines (IBM)
This page shows all medals that relate to the IBM company. Please let me know if you are aware of other medals, particularly American, that could be added to this page.
The obverse bears profile of Otto Ernest Braitmayer r. Around, OTTO ERNEST BRAITMAYER FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY; below 1929; signed (WR monogram) in left field.
The reverse bears an open book with flames rising from pages in front of melange of tabulating and record-keeping images. Stylized sun with clock face in background, punchcard with numbers from 0 to 9 above. Around, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION; in exergue, AWARDED TO / DR. J. POLAK
The edge is marked MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. ©
The medal was commissioned by IBM to honor Otto Ernest Braitmayer upon his retirement from the company. By 1929 Braitmayer had been with IBM for forty years and had accumulated the most years of service in the budding industrial giant. Braitmayer had started working for Hollerith in 1889 at the age of 15 and worked his way up from office boy to secretary and office manager while obtaining a law degree at night. When Thomas Watson arrived, he quickly adopted Braitmayer as his right-hand man and by 1922 he had been promoted to assistant general manager of the important Tabulating Machine Division.
The medal was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York.
All that being said, prices for this medal vary. When I bought my piece, there were three medals for sale at prices between $75 and $595. I suspect that the expensive ones did not sell (very quickly).
The obverse bears bust of Thomas J Watson, president of IBM. Signed with Carl Paul Jennewein's distinctive (CPJ monogram) / 1947 in lower left.
The reverse consists of center field surrounded by recessed ring, laurels to left and right; at bottom, corporate motto THINK; in center field, TO / ALL MEMBERS OF / THE IBM ORGANIZATION / IN APPRECIATION OF THEIR / LOYALTY, COOPERATION AND EFFORT / ON BEHALF OF THE CORPORATION / AND IN COMMEMORATION OF ITS / THIRD OF A CENTURY OF PROGRESS / 1914 - 1947 / (signature of Watson) / PRESIDENT.
Thomas John Watson, Sr. (February 17, 1874 - June 19, 1956) is best known for his role as the chairman and CEO of International Business Machines (IBM). He oversaw the company's growth into an international force from 1914 to 1956. Watson developed IBM's distinctive management style and corporate culture, and turned the company into a highly-effective selling organization, based largely on punched card tabulating machines. A leading self-made industrialist, he was one of the richest men of his time and was called the world's greatest salesman when he died in 1956.
The medal measures 73mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York.
The obverse bears conjoined busts of Mr. and Mrs. Watson facing left.
The reverse bears inscription. Around upper half, PRESENTED BY THE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF / INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION / TO; incuse on field, F. E. MALIFF; below dedication field, IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR / PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT / AS A MEMBER OF THE / IBM 1954 / HUNDRED PERCENT CLUB / DURING THE YEAR DEDICATED TO / MR. AND MRS. / THOMAS J. WATSON'S / FORTIETH IBM ANNIVERSARY
The edge is marked MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. BRONZE
The medal was commissioned by IBM as a physical token accompanying recognition of IBM sales force members who achieved 100 percent of their sales quota. The tradition began in 1925 when IBM president Thomas J. Watson congratulated 52 qualifiers at IBM's first company wide sales convention, held in Atlantic City, N.J. From 1933 to 1939, the Clubs met in New York City's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. In 1940, the Club site was switched to Endicott, N.Y., where the qualifiers were housed in a sprawling "Tent City."
The medal measures 80mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York.
I have only ever seen this medal once, when I purchased it, and cannot provide any guidance on price.
The obverse bears the well-known reverse of the Athenian tetradrachm with owl, olive branch and ΑΘΕ. Around patinated background, - THOMAS J. WATSON - MEMORIAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
The reverse bears year in center field, 19 / 63; around, - INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
The edge is marked MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y.
The medal was commissioned by IBM as a physical token accompanying the more significant scholarship grant. As of 2014, the Thomas J. Watson Memorial Merit Scholarship awarded $2,000 per year to high achieving children of IBM employees. The grant is renewable for 4 years. Summer internship opportunities are also available to recipients.
The medal was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York.
References: MACo 1961-013
I have only ever seen this medal once, when I purchased it, and cannot provide any guidance on price.