I was out of the country for a month, and am slowly going through my E-Sylums. In the October 7 issue I noticed the photo of the "medals" for the chocolates. Not sure if others have commented on this, but the frame likely doesn't contain actual medals, but one-sided electrotype shells attached to a board and then framed -- a neat advertising piece, but not one that would be worth someone breaking a window and stealing for the medals!

My trip ended in Austria and I saw a similar one on display in a window - where it likely has been for the last century or more! Sorry about the reflection...

I saw the Chocolate sign on eBay and found it a very interesting piece. I did not buy it so I never got the opportunity to examine it closely. The medallic items could certainly be copies. It was priced as if the medals were struck originals but Jeff Rock makes a valid observation. I’d be interested to know Rich Jewell’s assessment of the authenticity of the medals in the sign that he has in his collection.

Since you have pictures of all three pieces, can you determine if they were all made by the same company? There is a small maker’s plate at the bottom of each frame.

I would concur with Jeff Rock's assessment! They are not medals but one sided electrotype shells locked onto a board. Someone had torn off a little piece of the backing on my sign and a lug nut can be seen holding the piece in place. Another point to add, the sign does not support the theory of actual medals since the weight of the sign is totally too light for all the medals and decorations present. There is no name plate or tag at the bottom of "Le Medaillier"-it still is an awesome advertising piece!