Society of Medalists

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TheSociety of Medalists was established in 1930 in the United States to encourage the medallic work of superior sculptors, and to make their creations available to the public. The Society of Medalists was the longest running art medal collector's organization in the United States and released 129 regular issues on a twice yearly basis from 1930 to 1995, as well as special issues marking the Society's 20th, 40th, and 50th anniversaries and the United States Bicentennial in 1976. Much of the inspiration for the Society came from the earlier Circle of Friends of the Medallion, which also issued medals on a semi-annual basis from 1908 to 1915. All issues of the Society were struck by the Medallic Art Company, originally located in New York City

Contents

Society of Medalists Issue 2, Dionysus and Satyrs Treading Grapes, by Paul Manship. 1930 bronze. Society of Medalists Issue 2 obverse.jpg
Society of Medalists Issue 2, Dionysus and Satyrs Treading Grapes, by Paul Manship. 1930 bronze.
Society of Medalists Issue 4, Charles A. Lindbergh Lone Eagle Allegory, by Frederick MacMonnies. 1931 bronze with gold patina. Society of Medalists Issue 4 obverse.JPG
Society of Medalists Issue 4, Charles A. Lindbergh Lone Eagle Allegory, by Frederick MacMonnies. 1931 bronze with gold patina.
Society of Medalists Issue 5, Whatsoever a Man Soweth That Shall He Also Reap, by Lee Lawrie. 1932 bronze Society of Medalists Issue 5 obverse.JPG
Society of Medalists Issue 5, Whatsoever a Man Soweth That Shall He Also Reap, by Lee Lawrie. 1932 bronze
Society of Medalists Issue 29, Inspiration Aspiration, by Richard Recchia. 1944 silver SOM 29 OBV.JPG
Society of Medalists Issue 29, Inspiration Aspiration, by Richard Recchia. 1944 silver
Society of Medalists Issue 31, Flag Raising on Iwo Jima and For Conquer We Must SOM 31 OBV.JPG
Society of Medalists Issue 31, Flag Raising on Iwo Jima and For Conquer We Must
Society of Medalists Issue 37, John the Baptist and Salome SOM 37 OBV.JPG
Society of Medalists Issue 37, John the Baptist and Salome
Society of Medalists Issue 47, Fish and Dry Fish Lure SOM 47 OBV.JPG
Society of Medalists Issue 47, Fish and Dry Fish Lure
Society of Medalists Issue 59, Apache Fire Dancer and Buffalo Hunt SOM 59 OBV.JPG
Society of Medalists Issue 59, Apache Fire Dancer and Buffalo Hunt
Society of Medalists Issue 80, Space Control Room and Astronaut on Moon SOM 80 OBV.JPG
Society of Medalists Issue 80, Space Control Room and Astronaut on Moon
Society of Medalists Issue 101, Unicorn and Medieval Procession, by Marcel Jovine. 1980 bronze. Society of Medalists Issue 101 obverse.JPG
Society of Medalists Issue 101, Unicorn and Medieval Procession, by Marcel Jovine. 1980 bronze.
Society of Medalists Issue 111, Man bursting the Bounds and Back of Man, by Donald De Lue. 1985 bronze. Society of Medalists Issue 111 obverse.JPG
Society of Medalists Issue 111, Man bursting the Bounds and Back of Man, by Donald De Lue. 1985 bronze.
Society of Medalists Issue 120, Man is Strength Woman is Love and Beauty, by Keiichi Uryu. 1989 bronze. Society of Medalists Issue 120 reverse.JPG
Society of Medalists Issue 120, Man is Strength Woman is Love and Beauty, by Keiichi Uryu. 1989 bronze.
Society of Medalists Issue 125, Tyrannosaurus Rex and Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil, by Don Everhart III. 1993 bronze. Society of Medalists Issue 125 obverse.JPG
Society of Medalists Issue 125, Tyrannosaurus Rex and Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil, by Don Everhart III. 1993 bronze.

Many of the early contributors to the Society of Medalists were prominent American sculptors of the first half of the 20th century. Lee Lawrie was well known for modernistic art-deco works like the Statue of Atlas in New York City and the Sower atop the Nebraska State Capitol, while artists like Lorado Taft represented a more classical ethos. Others concentrated more, although not exclusively, on medallic art, such as John Flanagan (designer of the Washington quarter dollar) and Laura Gardin Fraser. The artists who created the series represented a wide variety of styles and expertise.

The Society of Medalists issues covered a wide variety of themes during its sixty-five years of existence. Because the artists were allowed to select their subject matter, many of the medals are topical. Those of the 1930s frequently serve as commentary on the experiences of the first World War, and anticipate the destruction of the second. Religion often serves as a theme, with interpretations of biblical scenes prevalent throughout all decades. Art, science, and nature also provided inspiration for artists and their medals'.

With two exceptions, all issues of the Society of Medalists were initially manufactured in bronze. Issues 28 and 29, created during World War II, were first produced in silver. During the 1970s the Society undertook a program to restrike its earlier issues in silver. The advent of a spike in silver prices late in the decade, coupled with a low level of demand for the new issues, led to the demise of the silver restrike program by the early 1980s.

The Society of Medalist represents an interesting and accessible collecting opportunity. All of the issues are available on the secondary market, with both specialized dealers and internet auction services serving as important sources. Collectors value the medals in their original boxes, complete with the descriptive pamphlets that accompanied them.

History

Although the official date of establishment was 1930, there was a public notice for the organization in the January 1929 edition of The Numismatist , the journal of the American Numismatic Association. [1] The notice also stated that, "The Society of Medalists had its inception at the convention of the American Federation of Arts in Washington last May" (May 1928). [1] The notice further stated, "The organization committee is composed of George D. Pratt, Robert W. DeForest and Alexander B. Trowbridge", however, later documents attributed the founding entirely to Pratt. [1] Additionally, the notice discussed that, "Exceptionally accurate machinery makes it possible to strike medals to the quantity of 1,000 or more for very low cost." [1]

In 2010 the American Numismatic Society published the authoritative reference and history of both the Circle of Friends of the Medallion and the Society of Medalists, American Art Medals, 1909-1995 by well known numismatic scholar David Thomason Alexander. In 2016, the Northwest Territorial Mint, parent company of the Medallic Art Company, declared bankruptcy and its assets were subsequently liquidated. In 2018 the American Numismatic Society acquired Medallic Art's archive of historic medals, including records, dies, and examples of the Society of Medalists.

IssueYearSculptorObverseReverse
REGULAR11930 Laura Gardin Fraser Hunter and dogRuffled grouse
ISSUES21930 Paul Manship DionysusSatyrs treading grapes
31931 Hermon A. MacNeil Indian prayer for rainHopi snake dance
41931 Frederick MacMonnies Charles A. LindberghLone Eagle allegory
51932 Lee Lawrie Whatsoever a man sowethThat shall he also reap
61932 John Flanagan AphroditeTorch race
71933 Carl Paul Jennewein GloriaFama
81933 Gaetano Cecere Pegasus and menNo easy way to the stars
91934 Herbert Adams Boy fishingLittle fish a prize
101934 Albert Laessle American-turkeyAbundance-corn
111935 Lorado Taft Great lakesFive maidens
121935 Anthony de Francisci CreationSwirling universe
131936 R. Tait McKenzie Youth putting the shotFour runners
141936 Albert Stewart Ploughman and crossesPeace
151937 Robert I. Aitken LoversAll mankind loves a lover
161937 Chester Beach In peace fathers dieIn war sons die
171938 A. Stirling Calder Dance of lifeWith pleasure and pain
181938 Gertrude K. Lathrop Conserve wildlifeAntelope
191939 Edward McCartan Peace in the new worldWar in the old world
201939 John Gregory Cere's blessingScarcity shall shun you
211940 Edmond Amateis Aesop's fable of hawkDog and reflection
221940 Walker Hancock Two men buildingOvercoming adversity
231941 Joseph E. Renier Woman and childPrometheus
241941 Edwin Springweiler Arctic-polar bearAntarctic-penguins
251942 Janet de Coux Thou sluggardGo to the ant
261942 Brenda Putnam Man with airplaneBird in flight
271943 Anna Hyatt Huntington African elephantWater hole
281943 Carl L. Schmitz Freedom of speech and religionFreedom from want and fear
291944 Richard Henry Recchia InspirationAspiration
301944 Mahonri Young RiggersRiveters
311945 Rene P. Chambellan Flag raising on Iwo JimaFor conquer we must
321945 Berthold Nebel Wounded soldierAtomic bomb explosion
331946 Joseph Kiselewski World peaceDove and olive branch
341946 Sidney Waugh Privacy makes innocentNameless worthy
351947 Bruce Moore Eternal vigilanceDestruction
361947 Henry Kreis Wise virginsFoolish virgins
371948 Michael Lantz John the BaptistSalome
381948 Thomas Lo Medico Pursuit of happinessGood will toward men
391949 Adolph A. Weinman GenesisWeb of destiny
401949 Leo Friedlander HarmonyCreates tranquility
411950 Donal Hord Man must sowTo reap
421950(in French) Cecil Howard Peace is lifeWar is death
431951 Albert A. Wein God the creatorCreating heaven and Earth
441951 Wheeler Williams Madonna and childLamb
451952 James Earl Fraser Pony ExpressNew Frontiers
461952 Karl Gruppe EagleBoy Scouts
471953 Gifford MacGregor Proctor FishDry fly lure
481953 Peter Dalton BrotherhoodSwords into ploughshares
491954 Abram Belskie Art goddessSculptor's tools
501954 Ivan Meštrović SocratesPlato
511955 Malvina Hoffman Races of manNo man is an island
521955 Georg J. Lober Hans Christian Andersen150th Anniversary
531956 John Angel Adam and EveAnnunciation of Virgin
541956 Paul Fjelde Walt WhitmanLeaves of Grass
551957 Pietro Montana St. Francis of Assisi at prayerSt. Francis and leper
561957 Donald De Lue Creator of universeCreator of man
571958 Charles Rudy Year's at the springDay's at the morn
581958 Jean de Marco Clown with hornMusic and drama
591959 Allan Houser Apache fire dancerBuffalo hunt
601959 Katherine Weems PumaWild fowl
611960 Leo Lentelli Romulus and RemusConstantine the Great
621960 Adlai S. Hardin Three wisemenNativity
631961Adolph BlockPilgrims landingHoly cause of liberty
641961 Nathaniel Choate GoliathDavid
651962 Oronzio Maldarelli DancersBathers
661962 Carl C. Mose This our heritageThis our land
671963Karen WorthTo the starsSpirit of the space age
681963 Joseph Coletti Glory of GodGreat frigate bird
691964 Robert A. Weinman Honor to SocratesLight of knowledge
701964 Frank Eliscu Underwater swimmerSeascape
711965 Margaret Christian Grigor AlaskaHawaii
721965 Elizabeth Weistrop Sower of the forestSquirrels
731966Robert LohmanNatureCreativity
741966 Ralph J. Menconi Thomas JeffersonLiberty
751967 Herring Coe Flying sauserHippocampus and mermaid
761967 Donald R. Miller Five forms of lifeWilderness is preservation
771968Nina WinkelGirls dancingBoys building
781968Terry LiesMedical researchSpider and web
791969Bruno MankowskiPaul BunyanJohnny Appleseed
801969 Boris Buzan Space control roomAstronaut on Moon
811970 Julian Hoke Harris Uncle Remus talesBrer Rabbit in briar patch
821970Tom Allen, Jr.Flame of lifePro vita
831971Hal ReedFour scientistsUnleashing the atom
841971 Elbert Weinberg Pandora oneAtomic cloud
851972Sten JacobssonChrist and multitudePagan joys
861972John Edward SvensonChilkat ChieftainIndian carvings
871973 Mico Kaufman Youth with guitarSoldier carrying wounded
881973Edward R. GroveAlphabets of the worldEnglish alphabet
891974Laszlo IspankyGirl in springYouth in fall
901974 Stanley Bleifeld Chinese philosophersChinese landscape
911975 Frederick Shrady Courage and hopeBird in flight
921975 Bruno Lucchesi Couple embracingMother and baby
931976 Harvey Weiss GrasshopperWhale
941976 Anthony Notaro PilgrimsMayflower
951977Harry MarinskyYouth dreamingCastle in Spain
961977 Stephen Robin TutankhamunEgyptian pectoral
971978 Robert Cook MusicDance
981978 Moissaye Marans DawnDusk
991979Donald A. BorjaHelios the Sun GodSolar energy
1001979Linda HarperLaughterTears
1011980 Marcel Jovine UnicornMedieval procession
1021980Edward Fenno Hoffman IIIAlice in WonderlandWinnie the Pooh
1031981 Laci de Gerenday CougarDeer in woods
1041981 Elisabeth Gordon Chandler Visual artsPerforming arts
1051982John CookFaun with pipesMan with mask
1061982 Don Everhart II Dance of the dolphinsDolphins leaping
1071983Joseph Di LorenzoExcaliburCamalot
1081983Carter JonesGeorge BalanchineDancers
1091984Dexter JonesClownHarlequin and Columbine
1101984Margaret C. EllisonBands of living creaturesZodiac
1111985 Donald De Lue Man bursting the boundsBack of man
1121985Richard McDermott MillerGirl escaping manMan capturing girl
1131986 Marika Somogyi Woman looking in mirrorDevel watching thru mirror
1141986 Alex Shagin Children circling globeEarth from space
1151987 Robert A. Weinman Cat and mouseCat behind cheese
1161987 Robert Cronbach SunriseMoonrise
1171988 Leonda Finke The Prodigal Son - departureEmotional Reunion
1181988Patrica Lewis-VeraniSnow - Eskimo and dog sledSand - Arab on Camel
1191989Nicola d'Alton MossCharles DarwinGiant Galapagos turtle
1201989Keiichi UryuMan is StrengthWoman is Love and Beauty
1211990 Eugene Daub Spirit of fireDepiction of ice
1221990 Marcel Jovine Michelangelo's CreationBiblical prophesy
1231991Michael MeszarosWinding StaircaseStaircase Looking Down
1241992 Joseph Sheppard Icarus flight toward the SunIcarus in free fall
1251993 Don Everhart III Tyrannosaurus RexTyrannosaurus Rex fossil
1261993Karen WorthAdam and EveRetribution
1271994Amuhullah HaiderzadThe Old Kabul Bazaar
1281994 Don Everhart II Set of six dinosaur medalsDinosaur fossils
1291995 Geri Gould Last SupperNativity to Resurrection
SPECIALSP11950 John Flanagan Mark Twain Centenary
ISSUESSP21970 Julian Hoke Harris 40th Anniversary motifAthenian Owl
SP31976 Marcel Jovine Yankee DoodleTricorner Hat
SP41980Chester MartinSnail and GalaxyFive Decades
SP51980Edward R. GroveNature Montage50th Anniversary Sculptors

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Alexander, David T. "The Society of Medalists: America's Premier Art Medal Series", The MCA Advisory, volume 8, number 4, April 2005, pages 4-5.

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