DICK JOHNSON VISITS THE YALE ART MUSEUM

I visited the Yale Art Museum last week for an exhibit of Lumia, a showing of colored lights in motion. An artist, Thomas Wilfred, in the 1920s invented a device, he called the Clavilux which projected multiple light beams which changed color, shape and flow in harmony. The result is more than a kaleidoscope, they actually dance in a prescribed manner which is both charismatic and spellbinding. A viewer is drawn into a mesmerizing visual delight.

So what has this to do with numismatics? Well, his portrait is found on a fine art medal with his device shown on the reverse, enhanced with a bold satin brown patina. A medal – drawn from Yale’s own medal collection -- was on exhibit in its own case in the exhibit, but what is more interesting is the story behind the medal. It was commissioned by his son, also named Thomas Wilfred who chose the most prominent portrait sculptor-medallist at the time, Joseph Kiselewski (1901-1988) to prepare the models for his father’s medal.

Thomas Wilfred the younger inherited not only his father’s quiet, unassuming ways and appreciation of fine art in addition to his father’s estate. He expressed that interest in collecting American fine art medals and medals from the Paris Mint. He was active in New York City numismatics, attended all the conventions, often a committee member as well as a member, and onetime president of the New York Numismatic Club.

Tom was a close friend. We shared a mutual interest in art medals. My wife Shirley and I visited Tom and Mary at their home in northern New Jersey on several occasions. Professionally Tom was a chemist. When he retired he moved to Gap, Pennsylvania and became interested in steam engines, acquiring one of his own formally used on a rural farm. He joined a club of steam engine collectors who maintained of fleet of these, showing them at county fairs.

June Miller, Dick Johnson, Ben Hellings

While I was at the Yale Art Museum I could not resist visiting the Coin and Medal Department. I met June Miller again and her new assistant, Benjamin Hellings, who had to finish a class he was teaching on Roman numismatics to Yale students. June is always charming, the helpful director of the department who has intimate knowledge of the museum’s collections.

I had no specific research in mind, but did ask to see the Museum’s collection of the Society of Medallists issues. The storage cabinets in the department are the finest in America, all brand new, as are all the related equipment. June knew their Society of Medallists issues ended at #100. missing only the last 29 issues.

The department’s Study Room where Ben conducts his classes is named after a University’s alumnus, Bela Lyon Pratt, the sculptor-medallist. Pratt is known for the U.S. $5 and $2.50 gold coins plus a dozen or so medals. I had sold a Bela Lyon Pratt Plaque when I was in the auction business. The buyer was New York City collector Tony Terranova, who agreed to sell it the Museum. Before I left the area, June, Ben and I posed for a picture under that Pratt Plaque.

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web