Posted 8 years ago
IVAN49
(46 items)
General Pershing's Words at the Front, France, March 28, 1918
"Paroles de Pershing" medal by Charles Philippe Germain Aristide Pillet
Obverse: American General Pershing, 'stars and stripes' flag behind, talks to Generals Foch and Petain with President Clemenceau.
Reverse: French cock stands before sun-rays, extract of Pershing 's speech at the Front on 28th March 1918 above, border of stars around.
Bronze, 67.92 mm, 141.5 g, Edge: Stamped "BRONZE" and Cornucopia foundry, Signed "CH.PILLET" on obverse exergue and the monogram "CP" on the reverse.
``There is at this time no other question than that of fighting. Infantry, artillery, aviation – all that we have are yours to dispose of as you will. I have come to say that the American people would be proud to be engaged in the greatest battle in history.``
The medal with Gen. Pershing`s declaration in French was struck in 1922.
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco dates it ca. 1920. Both variants (English and French) must have been struck at the same time, but there is a possibility English version was struck earlier with The Great War still going on.
Number of pieces struck is unknown to me.
General Pershing with French Marshal Marie Émile Fayolle, photo by Henri Manuel, a renowned Paris photographer
Neat medal-- I am not familiar with it, so I cannot add any information.
scott
I can only add that the cornucopia mark is the mark of the Paris Mint.
Fantastic piece of history!