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Artist/Maker

New York & Brooklyn: Two Cities as One

1883
Place madeUnited States, North America
Aluminum
Overall (Medal): 1 7/16 in. (3.6 cm)
Gift of Miss Lucille de Luze Foley
1941.736
This medal commemorates the opening of the East River Bridge (or the Brooklyn Bridge) on May 24, 1883, the first bridge to link Long Island and Manhattan. The steel-suspension engineering marvel spanned 1,595 feet, long the greatest distance for a bridge in the world. Today there are six bridges along the East River.
DescriptionAluminum struck medal with obverse showing view of Brooklyn Bridge with buildings and marine vessels; legend above: "Two Cities As One"; inscription below: "NEW YORK/& BROOKLYN." Reverse bears inscription within open laurel wreath: "SOUVENIR/OF THE/OPENING/OF THE/EAST RIVER/BRIDGE/MAY 24TH/1883/1867 -- 1883." Hole punched at top.
MarkingsInscription: obverse, at lower right of field: "C.E. D."
ClassificationsMEDALS
Badge
R. H. Radford
1883
INV.10714
Medal: NY-B'klyn ...
G. B. Soley
1883 or later
INV.3288
Commemorative plate
ca. 1883
2010.26.50
Hot pad
ca. 1939
2008.39.1
Spoon
Gorham Manufacturing Co.
ca. 1891–1920
2009.28.311
Spoon
Gorham Manufacturing Co.
ca. 1891–1920
2009.28.314
Pin-back button
1983
2003.95