MEDAL EXHIBITION OPENS AT BELSKIE MUSEUM

A steady stream of museum visitors trekked into the one-story building next to the Closter New Jersey Public Library Sunday, September 13th, as a dual exhibition of international medals -- a part of the FIDEM exhibition which had been traveling to a number of American venues -- in addition to an extensive exhibit of the medallic work of the museum's namesake, sculptor-medallist Abram Belskie.

Medal collectors were there in strong numbers, interspersed with sculptors, museum & municipal officials, neighbors and just plain folk. Closter's mayor even made an appearance. It was a pleasure to see again Donald Scarinci, whose medal interest is boundless, and who just had given a speech two days before at the New York Numismatic Club.

Representatives from both the Northern New Jersey Numismatic Club and the Garden State Numismatic Association were present. It was another pleasure to see again James K. Brandt, a longtime friend of many decades and his guests. I met for the first time Paul Turdo and his wife with whom we discussed the medallic works of another Closter medallist, Joseph Di Lorenzo, whose medallic works he had in his collection.

Several sculptor members of the American Medallic Sculpture Association were present. Jacqueline Lorieo and Karen Worth were among the sculptors in attendance.

A pamphlet was available for everyone who attended. Originally commissioned to write a leaflet for the exhibition, I wrote on how Abram Belskie created his medals and a timeline of his life. It was amplified with illustrations from the photographs on file at the Belskie. Much of the pamphlet was the work of Anita Duquette, a volunteer at the Belskie and a full-time employee of a New York City museum.

It was a distinct pleasure to see again Myron Lewis, president of the Belskie Museum, who had just returned from a long-time hospital stay. Stay well, Mike. (I have a warm spot for this energetic official -- he named me as the museum's curator of numismatics).

The exhibit continues through November 15th and further details can be found at the museum's web site: www.belskiemuseum.com

I have extra copies of the pamphlet "Abram Belskie Numismatics: The Art of Coins and Medals." Contact me at: dick.johnson@snet.net

Wayne Homren, Editor

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