Description:
These medallions/plaques are the plaster models used by the engraver C.C. Wright (designed by Archibald Robertson) to make the famous historical Erie Canal commemorative medalion minted in 1825 and handed out to the various dignitaries present in honor of the canal's grand opening. Among the recipients were John Adams and Thomas Jefferson who each received one in gold while others received copies in silver. These are either the artists models or plaster casts made in the coin production process. They are large and beautiful and have the appearance of a bronze patina.They are period 1825.
"Canal Medals.--We have seen one of the Medals struck in honor of the Canal celebration by order of the Corporation of New-York On one side is Pan's visit to Neptune--with cornucopia, distant view of the ocean, light house, &c. with the inscription--"Union of Erie with the Atlantic." On the reverse, are the arms of the state ; on the right the representation of the canal, with its locks, and on the left the city of New York. The medal was designed by Archibald Robertson, and engraved by C.C. Wright, and struck by Pelletreu. The whole is neat and appropriate. The medals struck on composition will be presented to all the invited guests of the corporation ; silver ones will be transmitted to the President, Heads of Departments, Foreign ministers Governors of States, &c. It is with great pleasure we learn that three gold medals will be transmitted to the surviving signers of the Declaration of Independence
Additionally history:
from the Buffalo Journal,
Nov. 29, 1825, describing the ceremony for the completion of the canal, along with the detailed legislation indicating who was to receive an example of the medal. "The boat arrived in our harbor, from the Atlantic, on Wednesday the twenty-third instant, after a pleasant and quick passage, laden with a rich cargo of merchandize from New York, having on board a goodly number of passengers, a healthy crew, and an elegant keg filled with water taken from the "briny deep," which was presented by the Corporation of New York to the citizens of this village, for the purpose of being mingled with the waters of Lake Erie. This keg was handsomely ornamented with the arms of the city, over which were the words, in letters of gold "Neptune's Return to Pan," and under the same, the words "New York, 4th Nov. 1825." Upon the other side of the keg were the words "Water of the Atlantic."
After welcoming the return of the boat, with the Buffalo Committee, it was resolved that the ceremony of mingling the waters should take place on Friday, the twenty-fifth instant. On that day a large and respectable number of ladies and gentlemen, with the village band of music, repaired on board the boat, at the upper dock, and were towed from thence through the basin into the Lake, by several yawl boats, which were politely furnished by the masters of the different vessels then lying at the wharves. At ten o'clock, A.M. the ceremony of mingling the waters under a salute from Captain Crary's artillery, was performed by Judge Wilkeson..."
Archibald Robertson
(b Monymusk, Grampian, 8 May 1765; d New York, 6 Dec 1835). American painter and drawing-master of Scottish birth. He was brought up in Aberdeen, studying art there and in Edinburgh. In 1786 he was a student at the Royal Academy in London. Several years of practice in Aberdeen followed. In 1791 he arrived in New York to teach art at the invitation of a group of gentlemen. Shortly afterwards he painted miniatures of George and Martha Washington (1791–2; Colonial Williamsburg, VA). With his brother Alexander he established the Columbian Academy of Painting; most of their students were amateurs, although a few, notably John Vanderlyn, became professional artists. Throughout their lives the Robertsons promoted the exhibition of art and the training of artists in New York, and they were active members of the American Academy of the Fine Arts
