Name/Title
Commemorative MedalEntry/Object ID
AX2007.0010.1Description
The British Lusitania Medal was an infamous World War I propaganda tool created by British Naval Intelligence in 1915. It is actually an exact, cast-iron replica of a satirical medal struck by German artist Karl Goetz. The British mass-produced and boxed 250,000 copies to outrage neutral nations, particularly the United States. The medal was sold by Selfridges in London. Note with medal indicates that it was possible sent to someone by Selfridge himself. The Sinking: The obverse depicts the Lusitania sinking, heavily loaded with weapons (to support the German claim that the ship was carrying war cargo). The words "KEINE BANNWARE" (No contraband goods) are inscribed along the top edge. Death at the Ticket Office: The reverse shows the skeletal figure of Death handing out Cunard Line tickets, captioned "GESCHÄFT ÜBER ALLES" (Business above all).The Date Error: The British specifically copied the early German versions that incorrectly dated the sinking as May 5, 1915, rather than the actual date of May 7, 1915. British intelligence used this error to claim the Germans had premeditated the attack.Boxed Presentation: The British copies were sold in cardboard presentation boxes and included an explanatory leaflet outlining British outrage over the sinking. Cast in iron.Context
Note presumably sent by Harry Gordon Selfridge (1858-1947) to Samuel Pedrick (1868-1963). Pedrick is related to Selfridge on his mother’s side. Selfridge was the legendary retail magnate who founded the world-famous Selfridges department store on London's Oxford Street. Though he achieved his greatest fame and fortune across the Atlantic, his family roots and early childhood trace back to the frontier days of Ripon.Acquisition
Accession
AX2007.0010Source or Donor
Samuel PedrickAcquisition Method
GiftMade/Created
Date made
1915Time Period
World War 1Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Medal, CommemorativeNomenclature Primary Object Term
CommemorativeNomenclature Sub-Class
MemorabiliaNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication Objects
