Two Rare American Committee Models - Statue of Liberty 1880s
Condition of Small Liberty
Missing Torch Bent crowns
Wear to finishing, tarnishing, and rusting There is some marking inside Measures about 6 inches
As-found condition, please carefully view photos.
Condition of Large Liberty
Missing a few crowns Torch arm bent slightly and crowns
Wear to finishing and tarnishing Measures about 12 inches
As-found condition, please carefully view photos.
Both Marked "American Committee Model" and made prior to 1886 of the opening of Statue of Liberty to raise funds for the construction of the base.
History of Figures:
Beginning
in April of 1885, advertisements
appeared in The World, the principal advocate for Liberty among New York's
newspapers, announcing the sale by subscription of a "miniature statuette six inches in
height" and another twelve inches
high. Described as "a perfect facsimile of the model furnished by the
artist", the statuettes were sold through the American Committee of the
Statue of Liberty. Models in both sizes were inscribed on the underside of the
figure which is removable from its accompanying pedestal. "AMERICAN
COMMITTEE MODEL".
The American Committee was the American half of the Union Franco-Amercaine,
with its principal mission the successful installation of the Status of Liberty
in New York
harbor. The Committee's most urgent objective of the moment was the raising of
funds to pay for the pedestal. Sale
through subscription of the models manufactured in its name allowed the
Committee to reach a very broad public who in purchasing the statuettes shared
in a lofty purpose and at the same time, were made aware of the continuing need
for funds to translate purpose into reality.
If you have any questions, please let me know before bidding.
