The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 14, April 8, 2007, Article 9

WHITMAN TO PUBLISH UPDATE OF VERMEULE'S 'NUMISMATIC ART IN AMERICA'

Dennis Tucker of Whitman Publishing forwarded the following draft 
release about an upcoming book project. You read it first in The 
E-Sylum!

"Whitman Publishing has teamed up with Dr. Cornelius Vermeule to 
release an updated second edition of his acclaimed 1971 work, 
'Numismatic Art in America: Aesthetics of the United States Coinage', 
originally published by The Belknap Press of Harvard University 
Press.

"Vermeule, past curator of classical art at the Museum of Fine Arts, 
Boston, and lecturer on fine arts, Harvard University, started 
collecting ancient coins as a boy in 1930s England. He entered Harvard 
in 1943 but then joined the Army, was sent to the Pacific Theater in 
World War II, and stayed in Japan after the war as a language expert, 
rising to the rank of captain. He finally earned his Harvard degree 
in 1947, and a Ph.D. from the University of London in 1953. He then 
embarked on an impressive academic and curatorial career, authoring 
and editing more than a dozen works on applied numismatics, 
archaeology, painting, sculpture, and other arts.

"Numismatic Art in America states as its premise that coins are an 
art form to which every American is exposed---and the only class of 
sculpture that many will ever contact---yet coinage has been the 
least respected and understood art form in the United States. Auction 
catalogs and reference books have experienced a boom of late, and U.S. 
coins see intensive study as collector items, but even among art 
historians and students of American culture the rich field of 
numismatic iconography and medallic art has been neglected. Tackling 
this injustice, Vermeule offers the first comprehensive evaluation 
of the aesthetics of the American coin and medal.

"Referring to more than 400 full-color images, Vermeule traces 
American coinage from its tentative beginnings in a rented house 
in 1792 Philadelphia, through the 1800s, and into the 1960s, with 
renowned numismatic researcher David T. Alexander carrying the study 
into the 21st century. Compelling text and illustrations demonstrate 
that the coinage of the United States has no modern rival in 
aesthetic richness. 

"It includes such masterpieces as the primitively beautiful coins 
of the struggling young republic, the dignified Neoclassic designs 
that dominated the 19th century, the magnificent gold and silver 
medals designed by the leading sculptors of the early-20th century, 
and the remarkable commemoratives of the classic and modern series. 
Vermeule explores each period, discussing the artistic heritage 
and merits of its coins. 

"He analyzes the influence of the popular arts upon coin design, 
explores the inspirations of particular compositions and styles in 
both European and American painting and statuary, and sets the coins 
in the context of the eras that produced them. Through a study of 
its numismatic art, this work provides new understanding of the 
shaping of America's past."

[This is an exciting development (I think so, anyway). 'Numismatic Art 
in America' has long been one of my favorite books, and it's a shame 
that it's been out of print so long. -Editor]

Dennis adds: "I feel honored to be working on this book. 'Numismatic 
Art in America' is a great, but in my opinion largely unsung, numismatic 
classic. Dave Bowers praises it, as does Tom DeLorey and others 'in 
the know.' It's high time the book got the hobby-wide publicity it 
richly deserves."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

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