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 handling marks in the field area around Roosevelts portrait. Two molded-in lugs and a wire on the back serve as a hanger.From the collection of Brigadier General John Moulder Wilson. General Wilson was the first cadet from Washington Territory to be appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He later served in the Civil War, reached the brevet rank of Colonel, and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for "most distinguished gallantry in action" at the Battle of Malvern Hill. From 1889 to 1893 he was the superintendent at West Point Academy, and he subsequently served as chief of engineers in the U.S. Army Corps, where he directed activities during the Spanish-American War and eventually had charge of completion of the Washington Monument. He also served as President Theodore Roosevelts Chairman of the Inaugural Committee where he facilitated production of both of Roosevelts 1905 inaugural medals by Joseph K. Davisons Sons and Tiffany and Co. From the Richard Jewell Collection. Earlier from our February 2014 Americana Sale, Lot 95.
