Description:

Enrique Alferez (Mexican/New Orleans, 1901-1999), "Governor of Louisiana: Richard W. Leche, 1936-1940", bronze medallion, signed lower right, dia. 31 1/2 in. Note: Richard W. Leche was governor of Louisiana from 1936-1939. Forced to resign in 1939 amidst speculation of misused and stolen funds, he was notoriously convicted in 1940, making him the first Louisiana governor sentenced to prison. Eventually Leche was pardoned by President Harry Truman in 1953. In 1938, Enrique Alferez was commissioned by the administration of Governor Leche to create 143 bronze medallions bearing his likeness to be mounted on state-constructed buildings. Sixteen medallions were placed on buildings around LSU's campus, notably the campus' recently constructed law school building, Leche Hall. Both the medallion and the "Leche Hall" inscription were removed from the building following the governor's resignation. Today, the sole medallion remaining on public view can be found on the east side north end of Strawberry Stadium at Southeastern Louisiana University. While the fate of the remaining medallions is unclear, a Times Picayune article from 1939 reports that "capital sources say the bronze has been melted down into ashtrays and other useful gadgets." The surviving example offered here provides a rare glimpse into this tumultuous period of Louisiana history. Ref.: https://plexuss.com/college/southeastern-louisiana-university ; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_W._Leche ; http://www.fonvillewinans.com/LSUPortfolio.aspx ; "Bunch of Bronze Plaques Ordeed to Honor Leche Won't See Daylight and Even Now are in a Hidden Place." Times Picayune August 15 1939

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May 8, 2016 11:00 AM CDT
New Orleans, LA, US

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