Reference:6101 Mussolini Duce & Balbo Ductore: Flight from Rome to New York, World's Fair, 1933

Stylized head to left. CROCIERA AEREA DEL DECENNALE . ROMA - CHICAGO - NEW YORK - ROMA. Signed R. MORBIDUCCI below bust.

Inscription in the centre: REDIT ITALIA PER AETHERA MUSSOLINI DUCE BALBO DUCTORE. Around the border is the representation of eight planes linking the Colliseum, a polar bear and the Rockefeller Centre and Empire State Building (recently built), symbolizing the extraordinary flight of aircraft from Italy to the United States and the return in conjunction with the 1933 World's Fair.

By Publio Morbiducci.

Silver. 60 mm.

Condition: Extremely Fine

Notes:

On July 1, 1933, General Italo Balbo, Minister of Air under Mussolini, led a fleet of 25 Savoia-Marchetti SM.55X flying boats in a mass-formation flight from Rome to the Chicago’s World Fair. In an aerial spectacle demonstrating Italian technological might under fascist rule.

Despite the loss of a plane and crewman in Amsterdam, 24 aircraft landed safely on Lake Michigan, having flown 6,065 miles in just under 49 hours flying time. Following celebrations in Chicago and New York, the fleet took off for Rome on July 25, where Balbo’s remaining 23 flying boats arrived home to a patriotic welcome on August 12, still flying in formation.

A wonderful example of futurist design; rare in silver and appealing to the eye. Contained in its original case of issue; the medal in superb condition.

Publio Morbiducci (1889-1963) innovative Italian designer.