FRANCE - FRANCE Third Republic (1870-1940). Gold medal, Exposition coloniale internationale de Paris, by R. Bénard 1931, Paris. Av. EXPOSITION COLONIALE INTERNATIONALE / 1931. Bust of Marianne front centre, surrounded by leaning busts of natives, signed ED. MARTIN - INV. Rv. Vue des monuments de l'Empire colonial de l'Exposition universelle, in front a fruit basket with a cartouche, signature RAOVL BÉNARD. Ruedas 23; Gold - 225.85 g - 68 mm - 12 h Attributed to GENERAL MESSIMY SENATOR FORMER MINISTER VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE SUPERIOR COUNCIL OF THE INTERNATIONAL COLONIAL EXHIBITION. In a magnificent burgundy leather presentation case inscribed MONSIEUR LE GÉNÉRAL MESSIMY. Marked (horn)3 GOLD. Minor handling marks in the fields and on the listels. Superb to Fleur de coin. General Adolphe Marie Messimy (1869-1935) graduated from Saint-Cyr. In 1899, he was returned to civilian life as a revisionist in the Dreyfus affair and became a stockbroker, then a deputy for the Seine from 1902 and a senator for the Ain from 1923. He was Minister for the Colonies from 1911 to 1914 before serving as a reserve battalion commander (and one of Mata-Hari's lovers, according to Léon Daudet). As a senator, he chaired the Colonies Committee and then the Army Committee.