New York: Struck by the Medallic Art Co., 1932. 3 inch diameter. Obverse: an imposing portrait of Charles Dickens facing right, his name above: CHARLES DICKENS with inscription and date in left/right fields: ISSUED IN/ COMMEMORAT-ION OF THE/ FIFTIETH/ ANNIVERSARY/ OF CHARLES/ SESSLER/ 1932. Signed in the metal along edge at 8 o’clock: SINNOCK. Reverse: bears a scene depicting the dance at Fezziwig’s shop from A CHRISTMAS CAROL 1843. Legend around: 1882 PHILADELPHIA 1932/ RARE BOOKS FINE PRINTS. Housed in the original blue leather commerative presentation hinged case, with velvet lining. The upper inside of the presentation case is gilt stamped with the following message: “1882–1932. I have called upon my favorite author, Charles Dickens, to celebrate with me the fiftieth anniversary of my career as a bookseller. The portrait is from an original photograph of the immortal author. The reverse illustrates the frontispiece of “A Christmas Carol” which is so aptly called by A, Edward Newton, “the gayest little picture in all the world.” It is a symbol of the happiness with which I spent any time with books. Presented to a few friends and patrons. CHARLES SESSLER.”. Very Good Plus medallion.

Charles Sessler a prominent Philadelphia bookseller who started modestly in 1882, selling bibles & other books on subscription. Dickens was, by most accounts, Sessler's favorite author, and was well represented in the stock bought in England during Sessler's annual buying trips abroad. Sessler was co-founder of the Dickens Fellowship's Philadelphia Branch, and the bibliographer John Eckel made extensive use of the Sessler Dickens material in compiling his Dickens bibliography, now a staple on booksellers' reference shelf. Here, with this medallion, Sessler pays homage to the author who became synonymous with his bookselling career. Cf. Dickinson. DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN BOOKSELLERS, pp. 201 - 202.  

John Ray Sinnock was the 8th Chief Engraver Chief of the United States Mint and designer of the Roosevelt dime & Franklin half-dollar, among other U.S. coins. He also sculpted, although did not design, the Purple Heart medal, and various other medals & commemorative coins. Sinnock was born in Raton, New Mexico and was educated at the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art. He won the A.W. Mifflin Award for study abroad. For ten years Sinnock was an art instructor at both his alma mater and at Western Reserve University. He was appointed Assistant Chief Engraver in 1923.