United States of America/Wales, The National Eisteddfod of America, First Medal awarded 1927, bronze


Obv: THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF AMERICA on banner above, UTICA, N.Y engraved below, American eagle and shield with Welsh dragon supporters each side of the sign of the Gorsedd, on ribband below the traditional motto Y GWIR YN ERBYN Y BYD (the Truth against the World), further traditional mottoes each side of shield HEB DDUW HEB DDIM (Nothing without God) and DUW A DIGON (God and Enough), symbols of music, the arts and learning below, at bottom the traditional motto Y DDRAIG GOCH A DDYRY GYCHWYN (the Red Dragon leads the way)

Rev: engraved “THE WILLOW” BY GORING THOMAS MAY 13-14-1927

With a blue ribbon and pin suspender with recipient’s name Thomas C. Roberts

Condition: Extremely fine

Diameter: 39mm x 53 approx

Notes: The medal has many of the traditional Welsh mottoes associated with the National Eisteddfod of Wales, and was awarded at the Utica eisteddfod. Utica (New York state) had been settled by the Welsh soon after its foundation at the end of the 18th century, and remained one of the focal points for Welsh American settlement (Scranton, Pennsylvania is another). The recipient sang as a tenor solo a 19th century English ballad, perhaps indicative of the decline in the United States of a separate Welsh identity by the early 20th century. For further reading I recommend Wales in America, Scranton and the Welsh 1860-1920 by William D Jones (1993). The medal is rare.

Price £120