WORLD WAR I, VISIT OF OUR ALLIES
1917
AND THEIR GUARD OF HONOR,
VETERAN CORPS OF ARTILLERY OF NY
These medals were by Thomas L. Elder (see Part III for Elder biographical sketch). On. Feb. 1, 1917, Germany began unrestricted submarine warfare; next day United States severed diplomatic relations and on April 6 declared that state of war existed with Germany. Following month, or on May 9, Marshall Joffre of France and Hon. A. J. Balfour of Great Britain, each accompanied by distinguished staff, visited President Wilson to expedite war effort. Their arrival in New York en route to Washington was festive occasion.
Hardly had our entry into war been announced when Elder, intensely loyal to everything American and then age 40 promptly joined Veteran Corps of Artillery of New York, originally organized 1790. Seldom requiring much, if any, inspiration to strike new medals, Elder seized opportunity to produce these particular issues. For obverse of both he used Confederation vignette which appears on $40 bills issued by Continental Congress, 1778-1779. All Elder issues were limited and these medals extremely so; even Aluminum is quite scarce.
VISIT OF OUR ALLIES
Photos courtesy of Tom Hoffman
Obv. Confederation on ribbon around lower border; clouds around upper border; below clouds an all-seeing eye casts rays down upon flaming altar; around altar are 13 eight-pointed stars; beaded border.
Rev. Across in 8 lines, with small scroll at top, M. Rene Viviani, / Marshall Joffre, / Vice-Admiral Chocheprat, / Hon. A. J. Balfour, / Maj. Gen. Bridges, / Vice-Admiral De Chair, / Lord Cunliffe. / 1917; border legend * Struck to Commemorate the Visit to the United States of Officials of Our Allies; beaded border.
HK-435 Silver, thin planchet. 38mm. DeLorey 94.
HK-436 Copper, regular planchet. DeLorey 94.
HK-437 Brass. DeLorey 94.
HK-438 Nickel-silver. DeLorey 94.
HK-439 White Metal. DeLorey 94.
HK-440 Aluminum. DeLorey 94.
HK-441 Lead. DeLorey 94.
VETERAN CORPS OF ARTILLERY
Photos courtesy of John Dean
Obv. Same as obverse of No. 435 [Confederation].
Rev. At upper border, around The Veteran Corps of Artillery of New York; across Acted as / Guard of Honor / --to-- / Marshall Joffre / and the French Officials / on May 9th! / and the Hon. A. J. Balfour / and the English Officials / on May 11th / 1917 / around at City Hall, New York; beaded border.
HK-442 Silver, thin planchet. 38mm. Only 10 struck. DeLorey 95.
HK-443 Copper, regular planchet. DeLorey 95.
HK-444 Brass. DeLorey 95.
HK-445 Nickel-silver. DeLorey 95.
HK-446 White Metal. DeLorey 95.
HK-447 Aluminum. DeLorey 95.
HK-448 Brownish Red Fiber. DeLorey 95.
HK-448a Oreide. DeLorey 95.
HK-448b Lead. DeLorey 95.