IMPORTANT NORTH / SOUTH CAROLINA 1872 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY SILVER MEDAL, the obverse lettered "The Fair of the Carolinas / Charlotte, N.C." around a reserve featuring agricultural implements, a cotton bale, and a sheaf of wheat, the background includes a train crossing a bridge, small buildings, and the sun rising over mountains, the reverse lettered "First Premium / Awarded To" above a reserve engraved "Albert Guerry, Spartanburg, S.C. For best Original Portrait in Oil of Genl. Lee. 1872", in its original fitted thermoplastic case. No mint markings. 2 1/4" D, 3 3/4" x 3 1/4" case.
Catalogue Note: This medal was issued at the Second Annual Fair of the Carolinas held October 22-26, 1872. The only other example we could locate is in the famed Alan V. Weinberg Collection.
The recipient of this medal, Albert Capers Guerry (South Carolina, 1840-1898) was a notable Southern portrait painter. During the Civil War, Guerry joined the Confederate Army and was seriously wounded three times, attaining the rank of Sergeant. His political portraits include President and Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, President and Mrs. Grover Cleveland, President and Mrs. William McKinley, Vice President John C. Calhoun, Vice President of the Confederacy Alexander H. Stephens, Georgia Governor Joseph Brown, and North Carolina Governor Zeb Vance. He also painted several portraits of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, one of which was the subject of this award, possibly being the example now in the Spartanburg Art Museum painted in 1872. The three Presidential portraits mentioned above are in the collection of the White House.

Uncirculated condition. Case with a repaired break at one edge, otherwise fine.