The Libertas Americana Medals from the Collection of Henry Russell Drowne

[BROADSTRUCK]

A neat new acquisition which was really fun tracing it's complete history... Enjoy!

 

The following is a glass negative Magic Lantern slide measuring 3 1/4" X 4" in size of the Libertas Americana Medals from the collection of Henry Russell Drowne.

 

New York City native collector Henry Russell Drowne (1860-1934) loaned his 1781 bronze Libertas Americana Betts-615 and 1783 white metal “Treaty of Versailles Libertas Americana Betts-608 medals to the State University of New York in 1912 to photograph for a presentation titled “The Struggles Of American Independence”.

 

Their visual department fully documented the slide, however in error labeled it "Obverse and Reverse" when it’s actually just the obverse of two separate medals.

 

Henry Russell Drowne was a member of the American Numismatic and Archeological Society who held many positions including historiographer, secretary, second vice president, first vice president. Henry Russell Drowne was also a charter member of the American Numismatic Association.

 

Below is a photograph of Henry Russell Drowne including a Magic Lantern projector which became popular in the 1870’s and came in a variety of different design types. Prior to electricity they where kerosene powered with a smoke stack as seen in the drawing of children of that era enjoying an image projected on the wall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cpm9ball]

Thanks for posting this. Libertas Americana has always been one of my favorite medals. Unfortunately, I can't afford the original so I have to make do with the French restrikes (silver & bronze) that were offered at the FUN Show in 2006.

 

Chris

[RWB]

[Actually, it's a positive lantern slide.]

[BROADSTRUCK]

Thanks for posting this. Libertas Americana has always been one of my favorite medals. Unfortunately, I can't afford the original so I have to make do with the French restrikes (silver & bronze) that were offered at the FUN Show in 2006.

 

Chris

 

Thanks cpm9ball!

[BROADSTRUCK]

[Actually, it's a positive lantern slide.]

 

Ha RWB your right as this is a very positive slide

[RWB]

...I'd expect a master error collector to at least post a pic of a cracked lantern slide....