CNG 96, Lot: 1443. Estimate $2000. Sold for $1400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

FRANCE, Troisième République. 1870-1940. AV Medal (42mm, 54.82 g, 12h). Presented to Alfred Blachère of the Faculty of Law as First Prize in Commercial Law by the Marseille Chamber of Commerce. Paris mint. Dated 1908. Semi-nude female figure, the Allegory of Commerce, seated right on rock and, with her left hand, holding globe inscribed EUROPE, AFRIQUE, ASIE, and OCEA, and, with her right, measuring it with a compass; to right, rising sun over desert with camel rider; to left, star above arctic scene with polar bear; ALPHÉE DUBOIS in exergue / CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE DE MARSEILLE engraved around, À/MR BLACHÈRE/ALFRED/1ER PRIX/DROIT COMMERCIAL/FACULTÉ LIBRE DE DROIT/DE MARSEILLE/1908 engraved in eight lines within laurel wreath; engraved stellate design below. Edge: cornucopia and OR. Forrer I, pp. 445-446. As Issued, toned with matte surfaces, some rubbing on high points of obverse.

Ex Sincona 6 (23 May 2012), lot 1259 .

Alfred Blachère was a distinguished jurist from Marseille (he is commemorated by the Avenue Alfred Blachère on which can be found the prestigious seat of the Revolver Club de Marseille). The medal, made by the mint in Paris and supplied uninscribed, was designed by Alphée Dubois, father of the more famous medalist Henri Dubois (who often worked with his father). In fact, as a surprise for his father’s birthday, Henri arranged for Marthe Chenal, a well-known singer of the day, to sing a specially composed song, “De quoi s’agit-il, Alphée?” in his honor. This song was later adapted by Burt Bacharach.