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V19 2016 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 19, Number 4, January 24, 2016, Article 12

MORE ON THE SKYLAB PLASTER MODELS

Dick Johnson submitted these notes on the plaster models for Skylab I and II medals discussed last week. Thanks! -Editor

Skylab I plaster and medal Skylab II plaster

I have written extensively about collecting plaster models in previous issues of The E-Sylum. But let's first inform ANA's correspondent what medal they have. It was issued by Presidential Art Medals as part of their Space Series. It was indeed by Adlai Hardin (1901-1989) a seasoned sculptor who replaced President's long-time sculptor Ralph Menconi for this one medal. It was struck by Medallic Art Company and is their catalog number 1973-158.

Plaster models are what a sculptor creates from his original model, usually in clay or plastiline. The plaster model is brought to the medallic company which uses it to make a metal shell by the electrogalvanic process. The plaster cannot be used to cut a die, but the metal shell can serve as the pattern to do this. The. metal pattern is oversize, the same as the plaster model. From this dies can be cut any size.

Granted a plaster model is last touched by the hand of the original sculptor, but it is only a means of transporting and providing the required image to the medallic company. It is not permanent, it breaks or chips easily and must be handled very carefully.

Sculptors occasionally cast two of these in plaster, the second they keep in case the first is damaged in transit, an inexpensivve insurance policy. I once directed a team to photograph and place over 600 plasters on specially built racks for the estate of a sculptor.. My team did not break a single one (although we cataloged several that were!). This was reported in E-Sylum April 6, 2008 (vol 11, no 14, art 6)..

I have said in the past plasters are not for beginning collectors. They need to be handled and stored carefully. Thus I don't recommend inexperienced collectors to obtain these. I have observed too many damaged by unknowing individuals. Conversely for seasoned numismatists I have recommended they obtain one plaster and one die to familiarize themselves with the technology of making a coin or medal. For this I have outlined five points in handling and care of plasters, (E-Sylum/ Nov 15, 2015, vol 18 no 46, art 18)

What can be done with a plaster? I recommend framing it behind glass in a shadow box with an attractive color background cloth. Makes an ideal decoration of numismatic interest hanging on your wall.

The most often asked question: what are they worth? Perhaps not what you might expect. A plaster of an important medal might bring over $100, Most far less. It is worth what you consider the cost for an attractive wall piece.

I don't agree with Dick's valuation assessment. That may have been true in years past, but I think collectors have a much greater degree of appreciation today for original artworks such as plaster models. As rare works of art they can and do bring much more, although I'm sure it's true that models for coins are generally more highly valued than those for medals. -Editor

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
SCOVILL MANUFACTURING EMPLOYEES GRAY BUTLER AND EDWARD DAVIS (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v11n14a06.html)
HANDLING AND PRESERVING PLASTER COIN MODELS (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v18n46a18.html)
SKYLAB PLASTER MODELS FROM SCULPTOR'S ESTATE (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v19n03a18.html)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com

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