Mutt found an interesting wooden box, hand carved and inscribed in some Cyrillic like tongue. Nothing numismatic, until they saw a couple of medals. One was a copper medal about Winchester rifles.
The other a heavy, high relief hexagon shaped bronze medal. The obverse displayed a strong bold face, with the name near the edge of the three top panels; JOHN MERRILL OLIN. Faintly below the truncation was the designer's signature: Anneta Duveen. The reverse listed six descriptive words, each near the edge of a panel: PHILANTHROPIST SCIENTIST CONSERVATIONIST above and INDUSTRIALIST INVENTOR SPORTSMAN below. In the center Olin / 60 years / of service / 1973. On the lower edge incised MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y.
After a brief negotiation, Mutt bought the medal. They continued walking around, in what was fast becoming a very hot morning, so they retired to the canteen for the usual repast. They have become such a regular, that the Food vendor and his lady helper, know Mutt and Jeff on sight and immediate put the English muffins on the toaster and start to pour the large coffees. We sit down and one of them, delivers the hot coffee and double toasted muffins to us.
The conversation was eBay, numismatic literature, the Internet, viruses and the club show coming up Sunday.
Mutt was delighted with his purchase and upon arriving home, spent the better part of the afternoon on his computer to see how to identify this OLIN Medal. No direct references were found. A bio came up real easy.
John Merrill Olin was born on November 10, 1892, in Alton, Illinois. Upon graduating from Cornell University with a B.S. degree in chemistry. Olin received his M.S. in Chemistry in 1913, and began work immediately with his father at Equitable Powder Manufacturing Company; by 1918, he was Vice President of Western Cartridge Company, owned by his father and a subsidiary of Equitable Powder Manufacturing. When the companies were consolidated, Olin was elected President of the new Olin Industries. In 1954, Olin merged with Matheson Chemical Corporation, with over 100 plants, warehouses, and braches in the U.S., as well as many affiliates in foreign countries. Then he became Chairman of the Board of the new corporation, named Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation. Subsequently the name was shortened to Olin Corportation. John Olin was an inventor and held a number of United States patents in the field of arms and ammunition manufacture and design and was responsible for numerous developments in ballistics. Winchester/Olin Corporation was the primary supplier of small calibre ammunition, and sporting rounds manufactured in the United States. Also they supplied a majority of police departments with their ammunition. Mr.Olin retired as Chairman of the Board in 1957 to become Chairman of the Executive Committee, a position he held until he was elected Honorary Chairman of the Board in 1963. Mr. Olin was a conservationist, philanthropist and educator. He was also a breeder of saddle and race horses. In 1974 his horse Cannonade was the winner of the Kentucky Derby. He died September 8, 1982. Just last year his foundation gave Ten million Dolllars to Harvard University, the largest gift they had ever received.
The Olin Medal was designed by Sculptor Anneta Duveen, S.F.O. Its hexagonal shape, denotes a basic structure in organic chemistry. Other works by Mrs. Duveen include; a bust of St Francis commissioned by Franciscans International, and installed at the United Nations' University for Peace in Costa Rica, a bronze bust of Senator Robert F Kennedy, located at Columbus Park, Brooklyn and a recent bust of the Pope as a child.
Mutt said so long to Jeff, "See you Sunday at the show." as they headed for their cars. By this time the parking lot was almost full and it holds thousands of autos. If you visit South Florida, don't forget to plan a trip to the SWAP SHOP and see the free circus too!.
Jeff said we will be back in the fall looking for those great numismatic finds.
