The Collection of Art Déco Medals formed by Paul Fellerman

FRANCE, Compagnie Generale Transatlantique, Lancement de SS Lafayette, 1930, a bronze medal by M. Delannoy, bust of General Lafayette left, rev. liner sailing right, edge impressed bronze and cornucopia, 68mm, 154.35g (cf. MDC e5, 702; cf. iNumis MBS 48, 1374; cf. DNW M4, 472). Extremely fine; in original buff card box £50-£70

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Art Déco Medals formed by Paul Fellerman.

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The SS Lafayette, built at Saint-Nazaire and based at Le Havre, made her maiden voyage to New York in May 1930. Caught in a severe Atlantic storm in March 1934, the vessel was laid up for a refit but, while undergoing a further overhaul in Le Havre on 4 May 1938, an oil spill led to a series of explosions which damaged the vessel beyond repair. Subsequently, the ship was towed to breakers in Rotterdam and dismantled