Historical and Art Medals, Numismatic Books

United States of America, The Daniel Guggenheim Medal, 1928, a gilt-bronze award by T. Spicer-Simson for the Medallic Art Co, monoplane flying right through rain, dirigibles at right and below in the sun, rev. wreath of wings, for great achievement in aeronautics in centre, 63mm. Good very fine, obverse better, rare (£100-150)

Provision for the medal was made by Daniel Guggenheim (1856-1930) in 1928. Since 1929 it has been awarded annually for contribution to the advancement of aeronautics. The first recipient was Orville Wright and others since have included William E. Boeing (1934), Frank Whittle (1946), Leroy Grumman (1948), Igor Sikorsky (1951) and Geoffrey de Havilland (1952). Much further detail on the background to the generosity of Daniel and Harry Guggenheim to the benefit of aviation generally is included with the lot