bill Posted August 28, 2008 Report Share Posted August 28, 2008 There are many "so-called dollars" that are unlisted, even though they fit the definition as offered in the definitive catalog. These "unlisted" pieces are less well known because they are not cataloged. Some may be rarer than those actively collected, some may be more common. A recent addition to my collection is the souvenir of Astoria: On April 12, 1811, John Jacob Astor’s ship, the Tonquin, sailed in the mouth of the Columbia River, successfully rode the waves over the sandbar that guards the river mouth, and anchored near present day Astoria. The men of Astor’s Pacific Fur Company sought to beat the rival British North West Company to lay claim to the Columbia and the rich lands of the Oregon territories. They built Fort Astoria, a “a stockade made of fir-logs, twenty feet high above the ground, inclosing a parallelogram of one hundred and fifty by two hundred and fifty feet, extending in its greatest length from northwest to southeast, and defended by bastions, or towers, at two opposite angles. Within this enclosure were all the buildings of the establishment, such as dwelling houses, magazines, storehouses, mechanics' shops, etc. The artillery included two heavy 18-pounders, six 6-pounders, four 4-pounders, two 6-pound Coe horns, and seven swivels, all mounted. The number of persons attached to the place besides the few native women and children, was sixty-five.” (Gray’s 1870 History of Oregon) The city of Astoria planned a month long celebration commencing August 9, 1911. It was the only pageant planned on the west coast of the United States in that year. Events included a motor speedboat regatta along with competition in the fishing boat, sail boats, sculling and tubs races, along with Native American canoe races. Glenn Curtiss was contracted to exhibit his airplane and hydro-airplanes flying over the mouth of the Columbia with water take offs and landings. Topping off the festivities were American and British battleship displays joined by battleships from South America, China, and Japan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
constanius Posted August 29, 2008 Report Share Posted August 29, 2008 Very nice Bill. Would love to see a larger image of the pictorial scene with the tall-ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted January 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 I recently acquired an official centennial committee badge and a brochure from the event. First the badge: The brochure emphasizes the accomplishments of the white people and why they are superior to the Indians. An Indian encampment, mock battles, and a romantic Indian play were part of the event. The scene on the so-called dollar shows Chinook canoes fairly accurately. The tepees on the badge were used in the plains and the far eastern end of the Columbia Plateau, but not by the people living on the Columbian. They constructed large cedar plank houses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted January 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Okay, besides exonumia, I like combining the medals with appropriate images. I've put the two Astoria pieces together with the cover of the centennial souvenir brochure: If you want to see the image in all its detail, check it out here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedeadpoint Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 I've never seen a two part badge like that before. thanks for sharing, bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Great find. The badge is wonderful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Great find. The badge is wonderful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
constanius Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 I checked out the link Bill, nicely done, great finds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiho Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 The badge is quite nice, but the condition of the medal is outstanding. A+ presentation Bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted March 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 My article on the Astoria Centennial pieces is the cover story in the March issue of The Numismatist. I'm very happy with the layout and editing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
constanius Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Congratulations Bill, I guess you are very happy & proud, well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccg Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccg Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 One of the neat things about Astoria is how it actually got caught up between the fur trade and the War of 1812. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowdesk Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Great pieces, Bill. I have a two part badge very similar to yours done in that same time frame. Beautiful art work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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