Washington Before Boston medal. Fifth Paris Mint issue (ca.1914?). First Issued Obverse (In Repaired State) / Third Issued Reverse (In Repaired State). Musante GW-09-P4, var., Baker-48H, var. Cornucopia and BRONZE on edge. Bronze, Gilt. Choice Mint State.<p>68.6 mm, 2818.0 grains. In original plush case of issue and neatly inscribed on the edge: LE COMITÉ FRANCE-AMÉRIQUE À M. LÉONCE BENEDITE. An extremely attractive medal with complete, virtually pristine gilding over the fine matte surfaces. No surface marks are noted, and both sides are fully brilliant. Slightly double struck on the obverse and detectable in most of the finer details. Slight staining to the case, which is fully intact and has nicely preserved the medal. The edge mark is double-punched. The reverse die exhibits breaks over H and O of HOSTIBUS. This is the second example we have handled of one of these gilt presentation specimens. The last one was in our January2009 Americana sale, lot 5552, which was presented to Myron T. Herrick, the U.S. Ambassador to France. That presentation was dated to post-1912, and while we have not found a specific mention of Mr. Bénédite’s award, he published an article titled, “L’École américaine au musée du Luxembourg,” (The American School at the Luxembourg Museum) in 1914, which might align with such a recognition of Franco-American friendship. Bénédite was a respected French art historian, and served for a time as an assistant curator at Versailles. In1892, he was appointed Director at the Luxembourg Museum, so the aforementioned article might relate to his hosting an American school there. He caught the attention of August Rodin and was appointed by him one of the administrators of his will with the specific duty of directing Rodin’s artistic legacy. He was instrumental in the founding of the Rodin Museum and served as curator there. <p>From the Collection of Marc McDonald.
