The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 9, February 27, 2005, Article 12

MEDALS IN BOOKS LED TO TWO ART MEDAL SERIES

Dick Johnson writes: "Dave Gladfelter reported in last week’s
E-Sylum on one of the first books with a medal bound in –
the Lincoln Centennial Medal (King 309). This was one of two
books issued for the Lincoln Centennial in 1909. Both were
initiated by Robert Hewitt Jr., said to be the greatest Lincoln
medal collector -- his intact collection of Lincolniana still
resides in the Smithsonian numismatic collections -- but he
should be remembered for something even greater.

Hewitt, a Manhattan real estate investor, underwrote the
development of the Circle of Friends of the Medallion,
also issued with medals bound in books, the first commercial
American art medal series. This inspired, in turn, two decades
later, the creation of the prestigious Society of Medals, which
showcased the most prominent 20th century American medalists.

In September 1977 I wrote a Specialized Report on the
Circle of Friends and told of Hewitt’s activity, along with
newspaperman Charles de Kay (previously mentioned in E-Sylum,
vol 5, no 43, October 27, 2002) in the creation of this medal /
book series. De Kay wrote the books, little more than puff
pieces, much like his newspaper writings, but the medals
bound in his books were well designed and executed by
prominent medalists of the early 20th century with interesting
topics. They have been collected ever since their issuance,
September 1909 to June 1915, with 12 medals forming a
complete collection.

Hewitt’s first book, titled "The Lincoln Centennial Medal,"
had several varieties of the medal both with and without
the maker’s signature MACO for Medallic Art Company
(without is King 306). The second book was issued after
the celebration, "The Lincoln Tribute Book," containing
text of speeches and such. It was edited by Horatio Sheafe
Krans and contained a smaller silverplated medal bound in
(King 332 – it has a larger cast variety, King 294 which
was not bound in a book).

I illustrated both books in that Specialized Report holding
in front of each book the medal found housed inside. Since
publishing that report I have acquired a silver version of the
first book. It is bound in gray cloth to indicate the solid
silver medal therein. The report also served as subject of
an internet article by Ed Reiter on the website of the
Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) entitled "A
Milestone For The ‘Circle of Friends’ [of the Medallion]"
and posted May 24, 1999."

To read the article, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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