Eli Lilly Medallion

Object NameMedallion

Artist / Maker Christian Petersen (Danish - American, 1885 - 1961)

Date1935-1936

MediumBronze.

Dimensions3 in. (7.6 cm)

ClassificationsMedals, Medallions, and Coins

Credit LineGift of Kent and Shelia Mauck. In the Christian Petersen Art Collection, Christian Petersen Art Museums, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Object numberUM2008.543

Status

Not on view

Collections

CultureAmerican

Label TextFrom the University Museums Collections Handbook, vol. 2, 2025: In a letter to Christian Petersen, John Pusey informed the artist of a new scholarship established by Eli Lilly, which would include the award of a bronze medal. Pusey requested that Petersen design the medal and encouraged him to submit several designs for Lilly’s consideration. Previously commissioned to create murals for Lilly, Pusey stressed the importance of the award and its potential to elevate their careers. He assured Lilly that Petersen was, in his view, the finest sculptor in America, and noted that Lilly expressed admiration for Petersen’s bust of Pusey, created during the Public Works of Art Project.7 The Bailey K. Ashford Medal and scholarship, named in honor of Colonel Bailey K. Ashford, was established in 1940 by Eli Lilly and Company. The American Society of Tropical Medicine awarded the honor for outstanding research in tropical medicine for original and independent contributions to the field not associated with a commercial laboratory.8 The bronze medal features a man in a laboratory gown looking into a microscope with “CHRISTIAN PETERSEN COMPANY” near the margin. The reverse side an inscription “THE BAILEY K. ASHFORD RESEARCH AWARD IN TROPICAL MEDICINE.” The center of the reverse carries the text: “ADMINISTERED BY THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE / SPONSORED BY ELI LILLY AND COMPANY.”

Published ReferencesCited in Hume, Edgar E. "The Medals of the United State Army Medical Department and Medals Honoring Army Medical Officers" The American Numismatic Society, NY, 1942; Milepost (Ames, IA), April 25, 1935.

Locations