France. DRAEGER FRÈRES PRINTING HOUSE. By Henry Dropsy. Bronze 100mm. Mounted on a wooden stand. $500.

Henry Dropsy was born in Paris on January 21, 1885, into a family of sculptors.  He learned his craft under his father Jean-Baptiste Émile Dropsy. He later studied at l’École Supérieure des Beaux Arts. He was a professor of medal engraving at the school for many years. Dropsy became a member of the Institut in 1942 and a member of the Commission Administrative and of the Commission du Dictionaire. He created many medals. A large collection of his work is held at the Monnaie de Paris, which put on a special exhibition of his medals in 1964, the catalogue for which remains a standard reference. His earliest works are in the art nouveau style. His style evolved considerably over his long career. Dropsy died at Veneux-Les-Sablon on November 2, 1969.