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.