Undated (1936) "Hiawatha and His Father" Unadopted Obverse Design for a Society of Medalists Submission by Howard Weinman. Gilt Copper Electrotype Plaque. About Uncirculated.

9 inches, mounted to a 10 inches x 10 inches square wooden base. The plaque depicts two nude males, Hiawatha and his father, battling among soaring crags. It is well preserved, with nearly full gilding save for at isolated high points, where light friction has exposed the underlying copper. The plaque is loosely, yet apparently also securely mounted to the wooden base, on the back of which is a wire for hanging. Of the four wooden "feet" originally mounted to the front of the wooden base, one at each corner, one is missing entirely, while two of the others are broken off, yet included with this lot. Howard Kenneth Weinman, son of Adolph Alexander Weinman of Mercury dime and Walking Liberty half dollar fame, submitted this design to the Society of Medalists in 1936. It is based on the scene where Hiawatha seeks his father in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's The Song of Hiawatha, Chapter IV, "Hiawatha and Mudjekeewis." In an article entitled "Adolph Weinman and the Society of Medalists" written by Scott H. Miller for the December 2005 issue of the MCA Advisory, the author reports of a bronze plaque of this design being offered by an antique dealer in New York "a number of years ago." Robert Weinman, Howard's brother, confirmed in conversation with Miller that this plaque was for a medal rejected by the Society of Medalists. A second large example, in gilt copper, turned up recently - this is the specimen offered here. In an unpublished article, Miller further relates how, ca. 2020, Jesse Kraft, the Resolute Americana Curator of American Numismatics at the American Numismatic Society showed me a die shell that was given to the ANS in 1996 by Robert Weinman, Adolph's younger son. Upon seeing this piece, I immediately recognized it as the missing reverse from Howard's Society of Medalists submission. Dated 1936, it depicts an eagle with outstretched wings holding a snake in each talon, and the six line inscription WITH A SURGING FURY / HIAWATHA / ENAGGES / MUDJEKEEWIS / IMMORTAL RULER / OF THE WINDS OF HEAVEN. Copies of both the December 2005 Advisory article and Miller's unpublished follow-up article on this plaque are included with this lot. While Howard Weinman was far less successful as a medalist and sculptor than his father, astute numismatists will recognize him as the designer of the 1936 Long Island Tercentenary commemorative half dollar. (Total: 1 plaque; copies of 2 articles by Scott H. Miller)