Commemorative Medals, Numismatic Books

Medals Related to Music, Lily Elsie, 1908, a cast base metal cliché of the plaque by P. Hedley, bust right, i love you so, the merry widow around, 105 x 95mm (cf. Attwood p.60, 16; cf. BM Acq 1983-7, pl.74, 54). Fine, rare; set on a backing frame, with loop for hanging £40-50

Lily Elsie, aka Elsie Hodder (1886-1962), English actress and singer in the Edwardian music halls, whose greatest success was starring in the London production of The Merry Widow at Daly’s Theatre, which opened in June 1907. After marriage to Major John Bullough she gave up full-time acting and retired to Redmarley, Gloucestershire. The original electrotype plaques by Hedley are dated 1907 and signed by the artist in the top left corner