Undated George B. McClellan Campaign Medal. DeWitt-GMcC 1864-Unlisted. White Metal. MS-64 PL (NGC).
81.8 mm. An absolutely awe-inspiring medallic work by die-sinker William H. Bridgens, New York, his mark at the truncation of McClellan's superb three-quarter facing portrait. Accomplished in very high relief, and protected by high rims, ornamented on the inside by repeated cannon and cannonballs. The reverse is a clear statement of support for the candidate, resting the expectation of his future performance in high office on the laurels of his military accomplishments, or rather, his "prestige of success." In the opinion of the cataloger, this is one the finest medallic works of the present sale. Bridgens is the maker of the well known Eight Presidents medal, sought by collectors of Washington pieces, but no one would imagine from that work what talent the engraver would display two decades later, as seen here. An example of this medal was included in the Captain Andrew Zabriskie cabinet, sold by Sotheby's in June 1999. That example, lot 662 in the sale, was described as "about uncirculated" with some rim damage. It sold for $1,540 against the $300-$500 catalog estimate. The Ford Collection specimen seems to surpass the Zabriskie piece in condition handsomely. A landmark McClellan medal. A tag that accompanied this piece in our earlier offerings (not included now) indicated that this is from the John McCoy Collection, sold by W. Elliot Woodward in 1864, so the medal has been held by astute collectors from the time of its manufacture, explaining the fine preservation. Our 2013 offering was its first auction appearance since the days of the American Civil War.
Ex W. Elliot Woodward's sale of the John McCoy Collection, 1864; Wayte Raymond; F.C.C. Boyd estate; John J. Ford, Jr.; our sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part XXIV, September 2013, lot 11175.

Estimate: $5000