BALDWIN'S OFFERS MICHAEL HALL COLLECTION OF RENAISSANCE AND LATER MEDALS, PART III

September 2010 brings with it ‘Coinex', one of the most exciting events of the numismatic calendar and the largest Numismatic coin show in the UK. This year Baldwin's are proud sponsors of the occasion and, as hosts of the official Coinex auction, a spectacular event awaits.

Baldwin's two day auction is to be held over the 28th and 29th September and begins with the third part of the Michael Hall Collection of Renaissance and later medals, of which, parts one and two were sold earlier this year through Baldwin's. New York based collector and art expert Michael Hall spent over fifty years putting together an awe-inspiring collection and this, the final part, offers an array of choice pieces.

Lot 2090, a 1671 Louis XIV Damascened Medal (estimate £800-1,000) by Jean Warin II is a beautifully crafted piece by arguably the best and most powerful French engraver of coin dies of the 17th Century. Warin (or Varin) came from a family of artists and distinguished himself primarily as a painter and sculptor. He was one of the first engravers to use the power of the medallic form for propaganda purposes in France. Carrying the title of controleur general Warin imposed strict controls over artists that they were allowed no artistic license, but were instead forced to reproduce official designs that commemorated the magnificence of the state. This lot is a prime example of the effectiveness of his creations to this end.

Lot 2614, a Gustav II Adolf Silver medal of 6-Riksdalers by medallist Sebastian Dadler, estimate £1,200 – 1,500, is another one of the stand out pieces of the sale and distinguished by the intricacy of the artwork on both the obverse and reverse of the medal. Dadler was one of the leading medallists of the 17th Century, working widely throughout the courts of Germany and princely houses of Europe, amassing an array of high profile supporters at the time.

The Hall Collection is immediately followed by a diverse selection of commemorative medals and a section of Orders, Decorations and Medals. The extensive Commemorative medal section includes lot 3005, a fantastic 1666 Dutch silver Medal (estimate £1,500 – 2,000) depicting the ‘Four Days' Naval fight on the obverse and crafted by medallist Jerian Pool.

The medal commemorates the famous action and carries a poem on the reverse by the Dutch writer and playwright, Joost van Vondel, which appears to have been written especially for the medal. Commemorative and historical medals have become a feature of Baldwin's flagship London auctions and the variety on offer in this sale is testament to the accurate cataloguing and historical referencing that assure Baldwin's achieve the highest possible prices.

For more information, see: www.baldwin.co.uk

Wayne Homren, Editor

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