Artist Name

The medal's obverse bears a raised globe in center. Around, · SUPER · MATERIAM · IGNIS · TRIUMPHANS · / YOUTHS · FRIENDS / ASSOCIATION · INC

The medal's reverse bears wreath of oak leaves around center field with legend BY / ART / CHARACTER / WISDOM; around, HELP · BUILD · A · HARMONIOUS · WORLD · THROUGH · INSPIRATION (flower); signed at bottom, P.F. - SC.

The edge is marked MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. BRONZE

I could not locate much information about Youth's Friends Association Inc. other than that they are a charity that is still in business. Maybe someone could supply some information on the group.

The Latin legend on the obverse can roughly be translated to "Fire (spirit?) triumphs over matter," a motto that has been used by the British brass foundry J.K. Smits. I do not know the quote's significance in Roman history.

This medal measures 63mm (2.5in) in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

This medal was chosen as the 54th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1956. The obverse bears head of of middle-aged, bearded Walt Whitman facing left. Around, OUT OF THE CRADLE ENDLESSLY ROCKING / 1819 WALT WHITMAN 1892; below truncation, P.©F.

The reverse bears singing thrush on flowering lilac. Below, Leaves of Grass / First Publication / 1855.

This was the second SOM commemorative medal and it was less well received than the first one. Members seemed willing to tolerate an occasional commemorative medal but they were wary of a trend. As one member wrote:

"somewhat disappointed in that it is another commemorative as opposed to strictly artistic subject (abstract, allegorical, etc.)."

This medal measures 73mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported production quantity of this medal is 635 in bronze and an unknown quantity in silver.

The obverse bears bust of Lawrence E. Gordon. Above, TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY; framing bust, 1947 - 1972; below, LAWRENCE E. GORDON / 1885 - 1969; signed on truncation, P.F. Sc.

The reverse bears mounted stag head over crown between star-studded branches. Above, FINE FURNITURE; below, GORDON'S, Inc. / JOHNSON CITY, TENN.

The edge is marked MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y. BRONZE.

Lawrence E. Gordon moved to Johnson City in 1936 where he was President of Empire Furniture. In 1947 he founded Gordon's, Inc., a furniture maker that counted Macy's, Marshall Fields, and many other retail outlets among its customers.

The medal measures 75mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.