2018 BOSTON MCA CONFERENCE PLANNED

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V21 2018 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 21, Number 1, January 7, 2018, Article 19

Later in the year the Medal Collectors of America (MCA) are planning a conference in Boston. Here's the announcement from the November/December 2017 issue of The MCA Advisory. Thanks to Advisory Editor John W. Adams and Producer Neil Musante for passing this along. -Editor

In anticipation of the Red Sox making it into the 2018 World Series, the MCA is planning a grand celebration, social event, and conference in Boston for Saturday, October 20. (The Series starts on the 23rd.) This conference – with the theme Art and Memory: The Role of Medals – will provide a venue for scholarly presentations and discussion around a range of topics related to collecting and enjoying medals, with plenty of time around the edges for social enjoyment.

The theme was chosen to have broad appeal, with social events added so that we have some fun, encourage discussion among medal collectors, and can engage with others who are not yet collecting. It will be held at the Massachusetts Historical Society, which is headquartered in a beautiful Beaux Arts building in Boston’s historic Back Bay. MHS members will be invited to attend as well, offering us an opportunity to broaden our network of friends with a passion for history and art. Anne Bentley, MHS Curator of Art & Artifacts, will arrange a special exhibit of medals from their fabulous collection.

Presenters are still being lined up, but will include:
Alan Stahl, Curator of Numismatics at Princeton and previously curator for many years at the ANS, will talk on the role of medals in American History

Henry Duffy, Curator at the St. Gaudens National Historic Site, will talk on the art of Augustus St. Gaudens, with an emphasis on his numismatic work

Len Augsburger, Coordinator of the Newman Numismatic Portal, will talk on the history of medal books …and a few other numismatic and art world luminaries still to be confirmed

Panel Discussions will include:
“The art of the medal – the past, present and future of traditional to contemporary art medals” – Ira Rezak, moderator

“What interests do medal collectors have in common?” – John Adams, moderator

Social Events will include: Friday evening – Casual welcome dinner (for early arrivals) at a Back Bay restaurant, or perhaps the hotel where we hope to arrange a group rate
Coffee on Saturday morning, with lunch and two breaks at the MHS
Saturday evening – Reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres at a Back Bay restaurant within walking distance of the MHS and hotel

We are still in the planning stage, so please provide your input in New York at our January meeting, or email John Sallay (john@sallay.net) with ideas and suggestions.

Further details and registration information will be provided in the next few issues of The Advisory. In the meantime, mark your calendars for Saturday, October 20, 2018 in Boston!

While most numismatic specialty organizations (with good reason) hold their events in conjunction with major coin shows, I commend and envy organizations that hold separate (usually additional) events like the MCA is doing. Organizing something around an appropriate venue makes for a very special in-person experience, a perfect complement to today's 24/7 online culture. There is no substitute for meeting one's fellow birds of a feather in the flesh to break bread and raise a glass in fellowship. The Military Payment Certificates collectors have had their annual MPC Fest for years, attracting enthusiastic repeat attendees from around the U.S. and the world. I encourage other groups to consider something similar for their members. -Editor