Undated (1860s) Bois Durci Plaque of William H.Seward (1801-1872) Governor of New York, U. S. Senator, and Secretary of State Under Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. 114 mm. Nearly as made.，The obverse features a high relief bust of Seward facing left, with no inscription other than W. H. SEWARD above his head. The field is matte, and nicely offsets the finely polished (as made) bust and lettering. The reverse is blank except for a figure that appears to be a reversed and upside-down "2 and BOISE DURCI (hardened wood) prominently placed across the center. A brass loop for hanging is affixed to the top. Seward may be best remembered because he was stabbed and nearly killed in the Abraham Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy. Also of note was his participation in what was called "Sewards Folly" - the then very controversial purchase of Alaska from Russia for 2¢ an acre. Bois Durci, an early plastic intended to simulate wood, was a mixture of animal blood and sawdust that was developed by Frenchman Charles LePage in the 1850s. This material is best known to numismatists through a series of wall plaques of famous personages of the day. It was also used to make such utilitarian items as picture frames, desk pen set holders, and even jewelry.Donated by Stanley DeForest Scott to benefit the endowment campaign for the Executive Director position at the American Numismatic Society.
