Department Chief's Badge for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Platinum and Gold(?). Virtually As Issued.

112.0 mm x 47.3 mm overall; 41.2 mm, suspended medallion. 553.2 grains. A superb piece of particularly fine construction and craftsmanship. The suspended medallion appears to be of two-color gold with white enamel accents on the star points. It is made of three parts, and riveted together through the back. The central medallion is lettered in blue enamel, "WORLD'S COLUMBIAN / EXPOSITION" around "CHIEF. DEPT. / ETHNOLOGY" at the center. A gold, finely hand-chased wreath encircles this, while the aforementioned white pointed star on a gold field forms the background. The reverse is engraved, "F.W. Putnam / CHIEF / Dept. Ethnology." This piece is suspended from a gold and red ribbon, connected to an elegant pinback hanger at the top, enameled in blue with the letters W.C.E. at center, flanked by dates 1492 and 1892. Suspended from this bar is a finely formed eagle on fasces made in heavily gilt platinum, and below this is a gold globe riveted directly to the ribbon. The entire piece is strikingly attractive and presumably a great rarity. We have never seen another nor been able to find reference to one.
The World's Columbian Exposition was divided into 12 departments, each with a single chief to oversee the development of the exhibits therein. Since this badge belonged to such a chief, we assume that a dozen such badges were produced, although we have only this circumstantial evidence to back up the supposition. As far as we can recall (including a survey of our archives), we have never handled another example. Indeed, even a search of the internet failed to yield any appearances.
While the ornate badge was clearly well preserved, it is accompanied by a matching gold lapel pin, 22.2 mm in diameter, and 83.2 grains. The pin is very similar to the central medallion of the badge drop, octagonal and lettered in blue enamel as described above. The pin is intact and functional, and bears the engraved name of F.W. Putnam on the reverse. Both are housed in their original case of issue, with F.W. PUTNAM embossed on the lid in gilt. The interior of the lid is white satin with gilt lettering of Jos(eph). K. Davidson / Manufacturing Jeweler / Phila., the maker of these lovely pieces, though they are not directly marked as to the maker or karat. In light of the missing markings, we had XRF tests done on both pieces, each of which was tested in five different positions. The eagle suspended from the pin bar is undeniably platinum, plated in 18kt gold. Other elements are probably 14kt gold, though the XRF test is limited to the surface of a specimen. The lapel pin exhibits wear and tests with a fairly high percentage of gold. The only thing certain is the platinum base of the upper portion as one can see where the gilding was removed to show the bright underlying metal. In 1893, platinum was a less valuable metal than gold, but today it is very prized. An extremely rare and most attractive pair, the primary badge being one of the nicest pieces we have ever seen related to the Columbian Exposition. Also included is one of Putnam's calling cards as Chief of the Department and an engraved steel die for the DEPARTMENT OF ENTHNOLOGY / WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. (Total: 1 badge; 1 pin; 1 case; 1 card; 1 steel die)

Estimate: $2’500.00