^Lot 930 Lincoln Plaque NY - Bronx,General Americana

This is an altered version in what appears to be copper of Victor David Brenner's sculpture of the 16th President. Brenner's original work was rectangular and included more of Lincolns upper torso. While this piece has month day and years of Lincoln's birth and death, the original only shows the years, 1809-1865. While there is a wire mount on the reverse, there is no maker's mark on the piece. Brenner was the designer of the United States Lincoln Cent, the most widely reproduced work of art in America; billions have been minted since production began in 1909. He produced over 125 different medals, badges and plaques during his career. He also produced sculptures, such as the "Song of Nature" which sits on the fountain in Schenely Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1907 Brenner was commissioned to produce a plaque bearing the image of President Abraham Lincoln, and in 1908 was commissioned to design the Panama Canal service medal bearing the image of President Theodore Roosevelt. While posing in Brenner's studio for the latter, President Roosevelt greatly admired Brenner's Lincoln plaque creation. He pushed past normal government bureaucracy to help get Brenner's design approved for a new cent coin to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's birth (1909). - Jacobitz Collection