American Orchid Society Trophy Plaque and Medals - Blanche Ames Ames (February 18, 1878 – March 2, 1969)

Hello everyone! After a protracted illness, I'm finally able to begin posting the bronzes in my collection again. I have a LONG way to go before I'll have them all up here. I'm still unable to lift my larger bronzes (that's going to take a bit more time and healing), but I'm very happy to be back!!

I am going to kick this off again with my most recent acquisition, a beautiful gilded bronze trophy plaque from the American Orchid Society featuring the official seal which was designed by the famed Blanche Ames Ames in 1921. Depicted in the upper center medallion is a muscular Native Indian man wearing a loincloth and long feathers laid back in his hair. He's kneeling next to two orchids growing on a ledge, Phragmipedium caudatum and Encyclia tampensisone. Given the first orchid is found between Peru and Bolivia and the second in the environs of Tampa, Florida, it's difficult to pin him to a specific tribe (if that matters). It's a very gentle and contemplative pose, quite at odds with the typical depictions of a powerful Indian brave that one would see at that time but very in keeping with both the native origins of the orchids as well as the gentleness of the pursuit of orchid cultivation. There are small rubs in the gilding at the shoulder and forearm, typical light wear to the finish for its age. On the back is soldered a tab with a place to insert a ring or string to hang it.

I have no idea how old this plaque is, as I've read an auction description of one that was said to have been awarded in 1963 (the images were long since deleted). I've only seen pictures of two other examples of this image on an award, one on a gold medal that had been turned into a brooch pin and was dated 1928 in the engraving, the other a nearly identical  undated and not engraved plaque that I had lost in spirited bidding before winning this one. I believe the one I lost out on was either newer and painted rather than gilded or had been repainted in the past due to the lack of detail in the seal that this one has, when comparing the auction pictures and differences in patina. Modern AOS trophies that I've seen have had an odd outline version of the seal laser etched inside a tapered block of Lucite and set on a base, and a perhaps intermediate version of the trophy with a "coin" with the same odd cutout version of this seal encapsulated inside. While the image on my plaque may remain the official seal, when it appears on their modern awards it's not like it once was. Research is ongoing though...

From my research, when the AOS gives awards at shows, the winners receive a certificate and the right to purchase a trophy (or plaque or medal, in the past), which the winner would have to pay for themselves. I believe that any engraving was an additional charge, which would help explain why these awards have none.

So, in total, that's three plaques like this so far that I've managed to find any reference to. I'm not certain if this indicates an actual rarity of the award plaques themselves or just a scarcity of plaques that have come up for sale. I have seen the seal on award medals too, usually in silver or bronze without the backing plaque. I'll update this post if I pick up more.

Blanche Ames Ames (1876-1969), born Blanche Ames, was a woman who was famous in her own time. Not only was she a noted artist, she was famous as a suffragette and early proponent of providing specialized health care and birth control to women. She was married to famed Harvard botanist and professor Oakes Ames (no relation - when she took his name she became "Blanche Ames Ames"). Oakes was a world renowned expert in orchids and with his wife traveled around the world studying the lovely plants and flowers. His work (which included Blanche's scientific illustrations of the flowers and plants) became a seven volume series of books called Orchidicae: Illustrations and Studies of the Family Orchidicae. It is still considered one of the most important works on orchids published to date and was the earliest comprehensive study of orchids undertaken. If you think of these books as being to orchids what John James Audubon's The Birds of America is to birds, well, it would be an apt comparison. Blanche and Oakes Ames were two of the founders of the AOS too. For more on Blanche and Oakes Ames, all one has to do is a simple search and a wealth of information is available.

I'm VERY glad to have this in my collection and will keep an eye out for others too.

Edit: After purchasing this plaque last summer, I remained in contact with the seller (a dealer in medals and medallions). He mentioned that he might have a couple more medals. Sure enough, he did! Both are bronze, struck by Medallic Arts of NY and are not engraved or personalized. They're in great condition with patinas commensurate with their age. I believe one is a bit older than the other as the details on one are slightly crisper than the other. I'm VERY happy with them! Pictures are below.

Edit 2: I have also purchased a second plaque, virtually identical to the first but with a bit more coppery hue, which came with the optional base/stand that is nothing more than a small, rectangular block of wood with a slot on top. When I finally took it down to photograph it, I had not remembered that the back looked to have been silvered and it had written on it in ink, "FWCOS (for Florida West Coast Orchid Society) FEB 1965." I'll see what I can do to find out more. I also purchased an undated Lucite award with one of the bronze medals embedded in it. Pictures of both have been added.

 

Enjoy!

 

American Orchid Society trophy plaque, Blanche Ames Ames, seal created 1921, gilded bronze, front

 

American Orchid Society trophy plaque, Blanche Ames Ames, seal created 1921, gilded bronze, seal detail w/signature monogram

 

 

American Orchid Society trophy plaque, Blanche Ames Ames, seal created 1921, gilded bronze, back

 

American Orchid Society medals, Blanche Ames Ames, seal created 1921, bronze, dates unknown, front

American Orchid Society medals, Blanche Ames Ames, seal created 1921, bronze, dates unknown, left reversed

American Orchid Society medals, Blanche Ames Ames, seal created 1921, bronze, dates unknown, right reversed

American Orchid Society trophy plaque no.2, Blanche Ames Ames, seal created 1921, coppery gilded bronze, front

American Orchid Society trophy plaque no.2, Blanche Ames Ames, seal created 1921, coppery gilded bronze, seal detail w/signature monogram

American Orchid Society trophy plaque no.2, Blanche Ames Ames, seal created 1921, coppery gilded bronze, back

American Orchid Society trophy, Blanche Ames Ames, seal created 1921, gilded bronze medal and plaque set in Lucite, front

American Orchid Society trophy, Blanche Ames Ames, seal created 1921, gilded bronze medal and plaque set in Lucite, side view

American Orchid Society trophy, Blanche Ames Ames, seal created 1921, gilded bronze medal and plaque set in Lucite, back