SOM#007, Carl Paul Jennewein, Gloria - Fama, 1933

From the collection of John Birks

Numbers Issued: 1,237 Bronze, 125 Silver

From the Artist:

"Fame and Glory are symbolized in this medal as the elements in the life of men, which the awarding of medals is designed to promote and to recognize. But the artist has made a subtle distinction between the Glory which, unsought, belongs to those who aspire, strike and sacrifice for a great ideal, and that Fame which is won by self-seeking in the attainment of public eminence for the gratification of personal power and vanity.

The representation of the cicada on the reverse of the medal might seem, at first, strangely out of keeping with the Latin word Fama which it divides. The figure, however, relates to the original meaning of the term which is not necessary high repute, but rather public notice, so often confused with fame in its better sense. Thus, the cicada, by its noisy and shrill self-assertion gains wide hearing, but it is only the discordant demonstration of an obstreperous but insignificant creature. But the symbol of Glory, the consummation of high achievement, is the winged child, expressing ingenuousness, guilelessness, faith and aspiration, which, in bestowing the laurels in conscious only of purity of motive is the supreme attainment which glorifies life and labor. "

The Fame and Glory medal is designed to bring into contrast, the two extremes of distinction among men, self-assertion and altruism, by these two unrelated emblems, the cicada and the child. -- Carl Paul Jennewein, 1933