Netherlands c. 1909 Tilburg Vooruit Award Medal – Joh. Hamers EF

Netherlands c. 1909 – Tilburg Vooruit Award Medal – Joh. Hamers

Netherlands – Tilburg – c. 1909

Bronze presentation or award medal of the Tilburg civic association Tilburg Vooruit, designed by the Tilburg goldsmith and silversmith Joannes Maria Franciscus “Johan” Hamers.

Obverse

The historic coat of arms of Tilburg, consisting of the city's characteristic three-towered castle, placed on a vertical panel against a radiating background.

Above:

TILBURG

Below:

VOORUIT

Signed:

JOH. HAMERS

Reverse

Large blank central field, apparently intended for the addition of a presentation or award inscription.

Decorative foliage above.

Legend below:

PROMOVEAMUS BONUM

Translation:

LET US PROMOTE THE GOOD

Specifications

Country: Netherlands
City: Tilburg
Date: c. 1909
Issuer: Tilburg Vooruit
Designer: Joannes Maria Franciscus Hamers (1865–1941)
Material: bronze
Diameter: 40 mm
Weight: 28.65 g
Type: presentation / award medal
Suspension: fitted with suspension loop and ring

Tilburg Vooruit was founded in 1907 with the aim of promoting the commercial, industrial, cultural and general development of Tilburg. The association played an important role in organising the large Stad Tilburg 1809–1909 exhibition celebrating the centenary of Tilburg's elevation to city status.

The design can be securely associated with Johan Hamers and the early years of Tilburg Vooruit. A closely related 41 mm medal with the identical Tilburg Vooruit obverse, also signed JOH. HAMERS and carrying the motto PROMOVEAMUS BONUM, is documented in Dutch numismatic literature for the 1909 celebrations surrounding the birth of Princess Juliana.

The present piece differs from that commemorative issue by having a blank presentation field on the reverse and should therefore be regarded as a general Tilburg Vooruit presentation or award medal rather than as the specific Princess Juliana light-procession medal.

Johan Hamers was a prominent Tilburg goldsmith and silversmith. He established his business in 1887 and received the designation of supplier to the Royal Household of Queen Wilhelmina in 1904.

Reference for the related 1909 type:
Jaarboek voor Munt- en Penningkunde 1954, no. 15.

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