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Lee Lawrie



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Whatsoever Man Soweth 1932
by Lee Lawrie

This medal was chosen as the fifth issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1932. The obverse bears a sower scattering seeds under a stylized sun. Above, WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH; in exergue, LAWRIE / © The reverse bears a sickle poised over a wheat ear and a nettle. Across, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP

Lee Lawrie was fascinated by the sower and reused this motif time and again in many projects. Originally conceived for the Nebraska State Capital, where it adorns the dome in the form of a giant statue, he also used it on the Rockefeller Center in New York. In the artist's own words:

"All of us are sowers, and we should not expect life to yield much in return for little, or little for nothing, or anything at all for the mere wishing - either in a material or in a higher, abstract way."

The medal measures 73mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported production quantity is 1,617 in bronze and 35 in silver.

References: Marqusee 241

Rockefeller Center1935

The obverse bears classic art deco view of building with sun behind and clouds on sides. Around, ROCKEFELLER CENTER.

The reverse bears medallic version of Lawrie's bas-relief panel on face of Rockefeller center. God with crown and long wavy beard frowning from sky. Below, WISDOM AND / KNOWLEDGE SHALL BE / THE STABILITY / OF THY TIMES.

The medal measures 70mm in diameter and was struck by the International Silver Company.

American Defense Service Medal1942

The medal's obverse is a female Grecian figure symbolic of defense, holding in her sinister hand an ancient war shield in reverse and her dexter hand brandishing a sword above her head, and standing upon a conventionalized oak branch with four leaves. Around the top, AMERICAN DEFENSE

The reverse bears a seven-leafed spray of laurel below. Across center field, FOR / SERVICE / DURING THE / LIMITED EMERGENCY / PROCLAIMED BY / THE PRESIDENT / ON SEPTEMBER 8,1939 / OR DURING THE / UNLIMITED EMERGENCY / PROCLAIMED BY / THE PRESIDENT / ON MAY 27,1941

The American Defense Service Medal was a military award of the United States Armed Forces, established by Executive Order 8808, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, on June 28, 1941. The medal was intended to recognize those military service members who had served on active duty between September 8, 1939 and December 7, 1941.

Lee Lawrie created the design for the medal. The model was approved by the Commission of Fine Arts on May 5, 1942.

The medal measures 32mm in diameter.