Medal, Commemorative
Object number2018.105.35 a-d
Manufacturer
Joseph Mayer, Inc.
Date1920
MediumMetal; Fabric; Paper; Cardboard
Credit LineGift of Patty Sims
DescriptionWorld War I Victory medal with information paper, and box lid and bottom.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a): 3 × 1.5 × 0.313 in. (7.6 × 3.8 × 0.8 cm)Height x Width (b): 2.938 × 1.75 in. (7.5 × 4.4 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (c): 3.875 × 2.875 × 0.5 in. (9.8 × 7.3 × 1.3 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (d): 3.625 × 2.125 × 0.5 in. (9.2 × 5.4 × 1.3 cm)
Inscriptions(a) "FRANCE" in raised text across the battle clasp in top section. Text on back reads: "THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILIZATION." Text on left side of fasces reads: "FRANCE / ITALY/ SERBIA / JAPAN / MONTENEGRO / RUSSIA / GREECE". Text on right side of fasces reads: "GREAT / BRITAIN / BELGIUM / BRAZIL / PORTUGAL / RUMANIA / CHINA". "U" directly on left side of fasces, and "S" directly on right side of fasces.
(b) "Contents: / One Victory Medal / With Battle clasps for* / 246763 / None / With Clasp for* / FRANCE / *If none, so state / 3-7740". Text printed along left side reads: "TO BE FILLED OUT BY APPROVING OFFICER".
(c) "ONE VICTORY MEDAL / COMPLETE WITH / 'FRANCE' CLASP"
Marks(a) "JOS. MAYER, INC., / MAKERS / SEATTLE, U.S.A. 1920". "SEP 3 1920" stamped on side of box.
Historical NotesThis World War I Victory medal was stored in a steamer trunk that was found in the home of sisters Jo and Dolly Ferrara. This steamer trunk was found in the home of sisters Jo and Dolly Ferrara. The donor’s father, James Hahn was close to the Ferrara family and, when the parents passed away, he continued to help daughters Jo and Dolly who never married. After they died, the donor and her father cleaned out the house and discovered this trunk and its contents. The trunk belonged to the Ferarra’s cousin, Domenico Ferrara. Originally from Rivisondoli in the province of L’Aquila, he lived in various places around Pittsburgh, as well as Detroit and Atlanta, before moving in with his relatives at 1431 Denniston Ave in the early 1950s. Untouched since Domenico’s death in the 1970s, the trunk contained many items that offered clues about his life. He served in WWI for the United States, was a tailor by profession, and invested in the stock market, which financed his travels around the U.S.
Previous owner
Domenico Ferrara
Related person
Jo Ferrara
Related person
Dolly Ferrara
On View
Not on view
1920
Lordship Industries
c. 1944