Summary

Australia New South Wales Sydney
Amor 50th Jubilee 1938 (AD)
Mint: Amor
Other Details: Artist CE

Medal issued in 1938 to commemorate the 50th Jubilee of the Amor mint. In 1874 W.J. Amor was apprenticed to English medallists J.S. and A.B. Wyon. Nine years later he went to Paris, where he remained until 1887. Intending to go to America and work his way home to England, he visited Sydney en route and was persuaded by Robert Hunt, Deputy-Master of the Sydney Mint, to stay and start his own business. Amor established the business in 1888 and married the daughter of the Chief Engineer of the Sydney Mint. His first work, a medal for the Women's Exhibition of 1888, was highly skilled, as was his Australian Centenary medal of the same year. A die engraver, in his later years Amor prided himself in continuing to work 'by hand in the old fashioned way'. He worked hard, 'many times 20 hours out of 24 for very little remuneration'. In 1917 Amor became a limited company, in which principal employees were given an interest. In 1935 Amor sold his share to A.H. Byatt, retaining a position as Advisory Director of the business.

Obverse Description

Above olive branch; AMOR / SYDNEY / MELBOURNE / BRISBANE around, MEDALLISTS AND BADGE MAKERS

Reverse Description

3/4 length woman facing left holding olive branch and artist's .. and brushes; in exergue, AMOR; around FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY, on ribbon, 1888 1938

Significance

In 1874 W.J. Amor was apprenticed to English medallists J.S. and A.B. Wyon. Nine years later he went to Paris, where he remained until 1887. Intending to go to America and work his way home to England, he visited Sydney en route and was persuaded by Robert Hunt, Deputy-Master of the Sydney Mint, to stay and start his own business. Amor established the business in 1888 and married the daughter of the Chief Engineer of the Sydney Mint. His first work, a medal for the Women's Exhibition of 1888, was highly skilled, as was his Australian Centenary medal of the same year. A die engraver, in his later years Amor prided himself in continuing to work 'by hand in the old fashioned way'. He worked hard, 'many times 20 hours out of 24 for very little remuneration'. In 1917 Amor became a limited company, in which principal employees were given an interest. In 1935 Amor sold his share to A.H. Byatt, retaining a position as Advisory Director of the business. -Carlisle, L.J. 1983. Australian Commemorative Medals and Medalets from 1788. Brian Kench / B & C Press Limited. New South Wales. Sharples, John P. 1990. Medals as art: Australia and the Meszaros tradition, p.16. -D. Tout-Smith 17/9/2003.

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