GERMANY. Field Marshal Charles William Ferdinand Bronze Medal, "1779" (ca. 1792). NGC MS-62 Brown.
Brockmann-478. By A. Abramson. Diameter: 41.5mm. Obverse: Uniformed and plume-helmeted bust of Ferdinand facing right, perimeter legend FERDINAND HERZOG ZU BRAUNSCHWEIG above; signature ABRAMSON below bust; Reverse: Germania, standing, facing right toward monument, holding globus cruciger and scepter; cornucopia and oak branch at her feet; monument inscribed with six-line legend DEM / BESIEGER DER / FEINDE / DURCH TAPFERKEIT, / FREUNDE / DURCH WOHLTHUN; date 1779 in exergue below. Ferdinand was the prince of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel and duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, in addition to having a celebrated military career in the Prussian Army. He married the eldest sister of King George III. When the American Revolution began, Ferdinand leased some 4,000 of his troops to the British crown to help improve state finances. His early career with the Prussian Army included the Seven Years War and a developing mastery of tactics and irregular warfare. He was made a general in 1773 and field marshal in 1787. He was killed in the Napoleonic Battle of Jena-Auerstedt in 1806. This medal offers satiny surfaces of a rich mahogany hue. The reverse has a particularly Art Nouveau flair far ahead of its time. Unusual in bronze, in a superior state of preservation. Extremely attractive and very rare.
Margolis had a few rather overt interests in his collecting of medallic art. One such theme was that of medals pertaining to man's earliest pursuits to conquer the heavens in the form of ballooning. The European exploits of the late 18th century are contained here across many different country categories. Also quite noticeable was his interest in the medallic art of Jewish engravers, such as Jakob Abraham and his son, Abraham Abramson, among numerous others. Across this selection of medals, these themes and topics will become obvious, adding further dimensions to the already intense focus with which Margolis pursued his collecting.
From the Richard Margolis Collection.

Estimate: $300.00 - $500.00