The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 50, December 9, 2007, Article 23

THE 1826 ERIE CANAL COMPLETION MEDAL IN GOLD

Regarding Rich Jewell's question about the 1826 Erie Canal
Completion medal in gold, Katie Jaeger wrote to supply more
of the information she had gathered for her essay in the
'100 Greatest American Medals and Tokens' book.  She quotes
the report of Archibald Robertson, the celebration committee
chairman and medal designer:

"The Medal was engraved by Mr. Charles C. Wright, of the firm
of A. B. and C. Durand, Wright and Co.The lettering was by
Mr. Richard Trested, Engraver and Die Sinker, upon dies made
by Mr. William Williams, Worker in Iron and Steel. The
Medals themselves were most elegantly impressed by Mr.
Maltby Pelletreau of the firm of Pelletreau, Bennett, and
Cooke at their Gold and Silver Manufactory, by means of
his very powerful and exquisitely adjusted screw Press.
Curious woods, such as birdseye, curled maple, red cedar,
&c., the produce of the western forests, for making Boxes
to inclose the Medal, were procured and deposited in a canoe
made by the aboriginal red men, on the shores of Lake Superior;
and embarked on board the first Canal boat from the Lakes...
On the inside of the lid is the crest of the City Arms; with
the inscription 'Presented by the City of New York;' and on
the innerside of the bottom 'This Box was made from a piece
of Wood, brought from Erie in the first Canal-boat, the Seneca
Chief.' The gold Medals are inclosed in elegant square red
morocco leather cases. The makers of the curious wood boxes
were Mr. Daniel Karr, turner, and Mr. Duncan Phyfe. The
maker of the morocco cases was Mr. Robert Tanner"

Katie has seen the gold medal presented to Andrew Jackson,
along with its red morocco leather case, at the New York
Historical Society. Readers can access a photo at:
Photo

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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