1908 Theodore Roosevelt Plaque. Cast Bronze. 167 mm x 123 mm. By Victor David Brenner. Smedley-80, var. About Uncirculated.，Bust of President Roosevelt, identical to the portrait used on the Panama Canal Service medal which first brought Brenner to Roosevelts notice. While sitting for that medallic portrait, Roosevelt and Brenner discussed their mutual admiration for Abraham Lincoln, and their discussion led directly to the creation of the 1909 Lincoln cent. The late cataloger of Brenners works, Glenn B. Smedley, did not list this plaque directly but probably was referring to it when he wrote under his number 80: "IE Galvano 130 x 180mm Roosevelt portrait from which the obverse of Panama Canal medal (no. 48 in 1910 exhibition) was reduced, four cast Brz plaques produced." Although the full history is not clear, it is evident that this handsome and historical plaque is very rare. Rugged mottled olive-brown and golden bronze patina, as made, the front with several minor and moderate handling marks in the field area around Roosevelts portrait. Attached hanger on the back. Similar in type to the piece that we (Stacks) sold in our January 2011 Americana Sale, lot 6383, for an impressive $6,325.
