France - 1893 Communications Aeriennes Medal - Awarded
Offered is a 51mm, 63g bronze example of the ever-popular French Ministry of War Aerial Communications medal. The ‘Communications Aeriennes’ medal was instituted following the 1870 siege of Paris to recognize excellence relating to the rearing and use of carrier pigeons, as they played a prominent role in maintaining coordination among French forces during this engagement. It continued to be issued up until the First World War.
The medal itself (in multiple variants) is not rare, having been extremely popular among collectors at the time, but what is exceptional is to find an awarded example. By our reckoning, only 10% or so of extant examples were contemporaneously awarded, making this a very scarce piece indeed. This particular medal was given to one Mr V Guillon for a Nimes to Toulon flight - likely a civilian competition among Pigeoneers hosted by the French Ministry for War in 1893. In all, a most appealing example of a sought medal with excellent scope for further reasearch.
Offered is a 51mm, 63g bronze example of the ever-popular French Ministry of War Aerial Communications medal. The ‘Communications Aeriennes’ medal was instituted following the 1870 siege of Paris to recognize excellence relating to the rearing and use of carrier pigeons, as they played a prominent role in maintaining coordination among French forces during this engagement. It continued to be issued up until the First World War.
The medal itself (in multiple variants) is not rare, having been extremely popular among collectors at the time, but what is exceptional is to find an awarded example. By our reckoning, only 10% or so of extant examples were contemporaneously awarded, making this a very scarce piece indeed. This particular medal was given to one Mr V Guillon for a Nimes to Toulon flight - likely a civilian competition among Pigeoneers hosted by the French Ministry for War in 1893. In all, a most appealing example of a sought medal with excellent scope for further reasearch.
Offered is a 51mm, 63g bronze example of the ever-popular French Ministry of War Aerial Communications medal. The ‘Communications Aeriennes’ medal was instituted following the 1870 siege of Paris to recognize excellence relating to the rearing and use of carrier pigeons, as they played a prominent role in maintaining coordination among French forces during this engagement. It continued to be issued up until the First World War.
The medal itself (in multiple variants) is not rare, having been extremely popular among collectors at the time, but what is exceptional is to find an awarded example. By our reckoning, only 10% or so of extant examples were contemporaneously awarded, making this a very scarce piece indeed. This particular medal was given to one Mr V Guillon for a Nimes to Toulon flight - likely a civilian competition among Pigeoneers hosted by the French Ministry for War in 1893. In all, a most appealing example of a sought medal with excellent scope for further reasearch.