F 127 
 . H8 R23 
 Copy 1 
 
 ZIIOI=Z>| fQl | < ' Ol •>| [o] [c lO l 51 |o] |< l O ' > | [o] |c=io]=i?] [o1 
 
 HUDSON-FULTON MEDAL 
 
 OF 
 
 THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC SOCIETY. 
 
 EDWARD D. ADAMS, 
 
 fol |c:zroi=5| [o1 [< \ o \ ) | [o1 | ( i oi=i>i ro1 [^z=io i ) |[o] |c=ion51 [o1 
 
1 
 

 V~'V 
 
 -y>\ 
 
 
 THE HUDSON— FULTON MEDAL. 
 
 FROM THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF NUMISMATICS. 
 
HUDSON-FULTON MEDAL. 
 
 DESIGNED UNDER DIRECTION 
 
 OF 
 
 THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC SOCIETY. 
 
 ADOPTED AS ITS ONE OFFICIAL MEDAL BV THE HUDSON-FULTON CELEBRATION 
 
 COMMISSION, AND ISSUED UNDER THE SEALS OF 
 
 BOTH ORGANIZATIONS. 
 
 By 
 
 EDWARD D. ADAMS. 
 
 REPRINTED FROM 
 
 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF NUMISMATICS. 
 
 « 
 
 1909. 
 

 K- 
 
 Ji (a-CM »TA/ atjJXfi 
 
 
HUDSON-FULTON MEDAL 
 
 DESIGNED UNDER DIRECTION OF THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC SOCIETY. 
 
 AnOPTEU AS ITS ONE OFFICIAL MEDAL BY THE HUDSON-FULTON CELEBRATION 
 COMMISSION, AND ISSUED UNDER THE SEALS OF BOTH OKC.ANIZATIONS. 
 
 lURSUANT to its authorized mission "to issue annually a series 
 of medals commemorative of notable events in the history of 
 this country or of persons who have rendered distinguished 
 services in the discovery of America," the Committee on the 
 Publication of Medals of The American Numismatic Society 
 recently published the fifth medal of its series, being that in commemoration 
 of the discovery of the Hudson River by Henry Hudson, and the first use 
 of steam in navigation on the Hudson River by Robert Fulton. 
 
 The subject of this medal was studied in the spring of 1908, and the 
 essential elements of the design were then submitted to Emil Fuchs' of Lon- 
 don, who undertook the composition and sculpture. 
 
 Upon the completion of the design and its execution in plaster, The 
 American Numismatic Society offered to place this medal at the disposal of 
 the Hudson-Fulton Celebration Commission as the joint issue of the two 
 organizations. This proposal was accepted, and, by resolution of the Com- 
 
 I V.m'\\ Fuchs, the sculptor, painter and medalli.-t, of 
 Austrian birth, a resident of London during the past 
 ten years, and a visitor to New York during the past 
 three winter seasons, has received the highest recogni- 
 tion for his various productions. 
 
 As a medaiUeur he has been best known in this 
 country by the two medals he modeled for the His- 
 panic Society of America, and by the medal made by 
 him for The American Numismatic Society to com- 
 memorate its Fiftieth Anniversary. His e.xquisite mar- 
 ble, in low relief, entitled " Chansons Religieuses," was 
 much admired when exhibited in New York three 
 years ago. 
 
 In England he has designed, by royal command, the 
 portrait medals known by the following titles: <,)ueen 
 
 Victoria, King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra, Prince 
 and Princess of Wales, Princess Henry of Battenberg ; 
 also the Coronation Medal (a popular edition, in sev- 
 eral sizes, which reached an issue of 980,000), Science, 
 .\rt and Music Medal, and the South .\frican War 
 Medal. 
 
 By similar direction he designed the portrait of King 
 Edward VII, now in use on the postage stamps of 
 Great Britain. 
 
 Mr. Fuchs has also designed and executed, among 
 other works, the portrait medals of Field Marshal Lord 
 Roberts, Admiral Lord Charles Beresford. Governor- 
 General of Canada, Earl Grey, Field Marshal Sir 
 George White (defender of Ladysmith). 
 
4 HUDSON-FULTON MEDAL. 
 
 mission, this design was formally adopted as the official commemorative medal 
 of the Hudson-Fulton Celebration. 
 
 The Hudson design represents Henry Hudson and a group of sailors on 
 the " Half Moon," watching the hoisting of some heavy article from outside 
 the ship. As the log of the vessel alludes to sending for fresh water and the 
 return of a boat with an abundance of fresh fish, the incident may well have 
 occasioned the interest portrayed on the medal. In the background is a faint 
 suggestion of the high banks of the Hudson River. In a panel at the bottom 
 is seen the vessel with her Dutch name, halve maene Encircling the upper 
 margin is the legend, discovery of O Hudson river by Q henry Hudson O 
 AD- MDCix In the circles dividing the legend are an astrolabe, jack-staff 
 and sextant. On the lower left, the American | numismatic society, below a 
 circle bearing the seal of that Society ; and on the right, below a similar 
 circle containing the seal of the Commission, hudson-fulton | celebration 
 coMM : The artist's name, E. Fuchs, is inscribed below the coil of rope. 
 
 The Fulton design is classical in its characteristic features. It shows a 
 parapet extending across the field from which rise two columns with fluted 
 bases ; from each end of the parapet sculptured bands follow the curve of the 
 rim until they join the columns ; in the opening at the left is a view of New 
 York as seen from the Hudson in 1807, and at the right the sky-line of the 
 city as seen to-day from the Jersey shore. Between the columns hangs a 
 portrait of the inventor, below which Robert fulton | 1765 1815 — the dates 
 of his birth and death. Seated in front of the columns are three draped 
 figures ; that in the centre, facing, represents the genius of Steam Naviga- 
 tion, and holds in her lap a model of the " Clermont." At the right is the 
 figure of History with a scroll across her lap, and in her right hand a pen. 
 At the left is that of Commerce resting her right hand on an anchor. In 
 exergue in three lines, first use of steam in navigation | on the Hudson 
 RIVER I 1807 The name of the artist, E. Fuchs, appears on the step below 
 the feet of History. 
 
 To give variety to the design, one side of the medal, the Fulton, was 
 treated in a classical manner befitting the education and character of the en- 
 gineer, while the other side was given an aspect of dramatic action, as appro- 
 priate to the daring navigator and discoverer whose career ended in a tragedy 
 of mutiny and mysterious death. 
 
 The details of the design required great care to assure historical accu- 
 racy. Eminent astronomers were consulted, collections of instruments used 
 in navigation were examined, and the identification of those in use three hun- 
 dred years ago was verified by approved records and authorities. The artist 
 made several visits to Holland and obtained official sanction for his represen- 
 tation of the " Half Moon " and the costumes of her navigator and sailors. 
 Engravings and paintings of about 1609 were studied, and a copy made of 
 
HUDSON-FULTON MEDAL. 5 
 
 the form and rigging of the vessel selected as the type of the original " Half 
 Moon " as now reproduced. A plaster model of the interior of the vessel 
 was obtained from the marine architect who designed the replica now afloat 
 on the great river. 
 
 The spelling of the names as they were written in 1609 was a detail re- 
 quiring much investigation. 
 
 Heinrick was replaced by Henry, on the evidence that Captain Hudson 
 was an Englishman, that his name was written Henry three times in the con- 
 tract for his employment by the Dutch East India Company, and was simi- 
 larly signed to that paper, notwithstanding the facts that the document was 
 prepared by a Dutch lawyer, written in the Dutch language, and executed in 
 Amsterdam. 
 
 The proper spelling of the name of the vessel was not so readily deter- 
 mined. The publications of Holland spelt the name " Halve Maen," but it 
 was admitted that the ancient form and that undoubtedly used when Captain 
 Hudson sailed from Amsterdam was " Halve Maen<?."' Having the highest 
 naval authority for this latter form of spelling, the dies for the medal were pre- 
 pared accordingly. When about to strike the first medals, papers were received 
 from Holland illustrating the floating of the new " Half Moon " in Amster- 
 dam, and describing the details of her construction and shipment to New 
 York. In all these accounts her name was spelt " Halve Maen." Although 
 in great haste to make a timely issue, the striking of the medals was immedi- 
 ately stopped, awaiting a cable answer to the inquiry as to how the name was 
 spelt upon the ship sent here. The cable answer from the Dutch authority 
 was reassuring, as he not only reasserted his previous statement in favor of 
 the final "^" as the form prevailing in 1609, but gave the information that 
 the name would not be upon the ship at all. Upon the arrival of the " Half 
 Moon" a careful inspection was made, and it was found, as is sometimes done 
 in other departments of human activities, that the old adage "When in doubt, 
 do nothing" had apparently been availed of, as, sure enough, the stern was 
 decorated with a design of a new or crescent moon, but without any text in 
 ancient or modern form to assure us, notwithstanding any possible doubts, 
 that the design really represented the " Half Moon." 
 
 There were likewise difficulties in representing accurately the shape of 
 the " Clermont." The best evidence was obtained from the pictures of the 
 port of New York of one hundred years ago, available in various museums ; 
 and an important print of that period was used in making the design for the 
 medal. The Clermont Committee of the Hudson-Fulton Celebration Com- 
 mission had much difficulty in determining the appearance and mechanical 
 details of the successful " Clermont." Research among old records brought 
 to light from time to time unexpected information, so that several changes 
 were made in the location of the paddle-wheel, the smoke-stack and the 
 
6 HUDSON-FULTON MEDAL. 
 
 number of masts and their rigging. Tlie plaster design of the medal, even 
 after its delivery to the die-makers, was twice altered as changes were suc- 
 cessively made by the Committee in charge of the construction of the replica 
 of the " Clermont." 
 
 In portraiture the medal is limited to the bust of Robert Fulton, repro- 
 duced by the kind permission of his grandson, from the painting by the 
 American artist Benjamin West, now in the possession of Robert Fulton 
 Ludlow. 
 
 In the case of Henry Hudson, it was concluded after most diligent search 
 and inquiry at the British Museum and at the museums of Holland, as well 
 as, of course, at the offices of the English Muscovy Company and of the 
 Dutch East India Company, former employers of Hudson, that no authentic 
 portrait of Henry Hudson exists. While it would have been easy to appro- 
 priate a type of an English seaman of that date for an imaginative portrait, it 
 was thought best, in the interest of permanent historical records, as such a 
 medal must necessarily be, not to introduce into the design anything that 
 required the explanation that it really was not what it pretended to be. The 
 absence of any portrait of Hudson is undoubtedly due to the tragedy of his 
 last voyage and the long concealment of his death. 
 
 The physical features of the Hudson River, probably nearly as they 
 were when viewed by the explorers, are outlined in the background of the 
 " Half Moon," as now seen looking up the river from the vicinity of Grant's 
 Tomb. 
 
 The Fulton design includes the sky-line of New York as recently seen 
 from the Jersey side of the river, and a view of lower Manhattan island from 
 the.river, taken from a print of about 1807. 
 
 The Medal Committee of the Commission was appointed to arrange for 
 the striking of the official commemorative medal, to arrange for the presen- 
 tation of such copies as are to be given to distinguished rulers, and to attend 
 to the sale of copies to be otherwise disposed of to the members of the 
 Commission or the public. This Committee was composed of the follow- 
 ing named members of the Commission : Henry W. Cannon, Chairman ; 
 Edward D. Adams, Archer M. Huntington, August F. Jaccaci, John La 
 Farge, Frank D. Millet, Charles H. Niehaus, Hon. Samuel Parsons, and 
 C. Y. Turner. 
 
 By official announcement regarding its Official Medal the Commission 
 authorized the issue of nine varieties of this medal, all from the same design, 
 but intended by their size and metal for various purposes. The most impor- 
 tant in artistic and intrinsic value were limited in issue, and designed for pre- 
 sentation to the distinguished guests of the Commission ; others were limited 
 in edition and issue to the members of the Commission and Citizens' Com- 
 mittees upon their individual subscription therefor. Souvenir medals of dif- 
 
HUDSON-FUL TON MEDAL. 
 
 ferent sizes and metals were provided for the official aides, the guests at the 
 official banquet, the sailors of all the visiting fleets, and as prizes for school 
 children and sporting events. 
 
 Other issues were prepared for public sale, subject to a royalty to the 
 Commission ; one, the four-inch bronze medal, selling at $2 each, was 
 deemed entitled to appreciation as a work of art, of historical interest, and 
 a worthy and enduring souvenir of an occasion of unusual importance. 
 The other issues to the public were designed as pocket pieces or for per- 
 sonal decoration, and to be sold at 25 cents and 10 cents each. The official 
 schedule of these issues as finally made, and all of the same design, is as 
 follows : 
 
 SIZE 
 
 GOLD 
 
 SOLID SILVER 
 
 SILVER 
 
 I'LATED 
 
 H.\Rn MET.\L 
 
 BRONZE 
 
 ALUMINUM 
 
 4 inches. . . . 
 
 
 Commission 
 
 and Principal 
 
 Guests. 
 
 
 Public Sale. 
 
 
 3 inches.. . . 
 
 Heads of 
 
 Nations and 
 
 The American 
 
 Num. Soc. (2). 
 
 The .\merican 
 
 Numismatic 
 
 Society. 
 
 
 
 
 zyi inches.. 
 
 
 Citizens' 
 Com'ttees and 
 Official Aides. 
 
 
 Official Ban. 
 
 quet and 
 
 Aquatic Games. 
 
 
 2 inches.. . . 
 
 
 Other Guests 
 
 and 
 
 Aquatic Games. 
 
 
 
 Public Sale. 
 
 ij^ inches.. 
 
 
 Aquatic Games. 
 
 Awards of 
 
 Merit for 
 
 Public Schools, 
 
 Aquatic Games. 
 
 
 I ]i inches. . 
 
 
 Aquatic Games. 
 
 Visiting Sailors 
 
 and 
 
 Public Sale. 
 
 
 
 Under the terms of the agreement with the Commission, The Numis- 
 matic Society prepared the original dies, three inches in diameter, and struck 
 therefrom for the members of that Society only, two examples in native gold 
 from California, and one hundred examples in solid sterling silver numbered 
 from one upwards. The dies were then delivered to the Commission to be 
 used only for striking such medals in native Alaskan gold as might be re- 
 quired for presentation to the head of each nation represented in the Hudson- 
 Fulton Celebration by one or more of its naval vessels. After such use these 
 dies are to be deposited in the Museum of The Numismatic Society. 
 
 The one hundred numbered silver medals from these three inch dies were 
 offered by circular of July 27, 1909, to the members of the Society and were 
 promptly taken. 
 
8 HUDSON-FULTON MEDAL. 
 
 The Committee on the Publication of Medals having charge of the prepa- 
 ration and issue of medals for account of The American Numismatic Society 
 is composed of Archer M. Huntington, ex officio ; Edward D. Adams, Chair- 
 man ; Stephen Baker, Henry W. Cannon, Dr. George F. Kunz, and William 
 R. Peters. 
 
 To protect the design from infringement, and thereby to enhance the 
 value of the medals and augment the royalty on its sale accruing to the Com- 
 mission, application was made for a patent under the laws of the United 
 States, which was duly issued, September 7, 1909, and all the rights there- 
 under were vested in the Hudson-Fulton Celebration Commission. 
 
 By reason of the importance and distinctive character of each design, 
 neither supplementing the other, and because the events commemorated oc- 
 curred two hundred years apart, the faces of the medal do not properly come 
 under the customary designation of obverse and reverse. There is no reverse 
 to describe or illustrate the obverse ; each side is complete by itself. Chro- 
 nologically the Hudson side would be the obverse and the Fulton side the 
 reverse. Practically this technical relation will change according to the 
 artistic tastes or sympathies of the observer. In order to facilitate the exhi- 
 bition and examination of each side, from time to time as may be desired, 
 some of the cases prepared by the Commission for the presentation examples 
 have been made to hang or stand, so that the medal may be reversed in 
 position. 
 
 The medallic art is as old as that of Numismatics, and the examples that 
 have been preserved, in gold, silver, bronze ahd iron, equal, if they do not 
 excel in artistic value, the best specimens of ancient coinage with which the 
 world is familiar. As in sculpture and painting, there have been periods of 
 decadence and renascence. Its finest examples have been produced under 
 the fostering care and generous encouragement of patrons of art in those 
 countries where the fine arts have been most developed. As a record of im- 
 portant events in all branches of human endeavor, the medal, because of its 
 enduring materials, the difficulties of its execution, and the convenience of its 
 preservation, has been recognized as one of the most reliable records of his- 
 torical interests, and one of the favorite forms of expression of public senti- 
 ment. 
 
 This medal, like the famous Waterloo' medal in England prepared by 
 the Royal Mint, but never struck, marks a development of the medallic art in 
 this country that by the accuracy of its historical detail, the balance and grace 
 of its composition, and the delicate refinement of its low relief, establishes an 
 example highly creditable to the efforts of The American Numismatic Society 
 for a better and wider appreciation of the glyptic art in its application to coin- 
 age and medals. 
 
 I By Pistnicci, the Italian designer of tlie St. George-and-dragon gold coins of Great Britain. 
 
j-J-BRflRY OF CONGRESS 
 
 014 107 650 "4 m