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POLL: Have you read Cornelius Vermeule's "Numismatic Art in America"?
Dentuck
Posts: 3,820 ✭✭✭
Cornelius Vermeule started collecting 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.
He was twice director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, while serving as curator of
classical art; was lecturer in fine arts at Harvard University; and was professor of both
fine arts and classics at Boston College for more than 20 years. He authored and edited
more than a dozen works on applied numismatics, archaeology, painting, sculpture, and
other arts.
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.
He was twice director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, while serving as curator of
classical art; was lecturer in fine arts at Harvard University; and was professor of both
fine arts and classics at Boston College for more than 20 years. He authored and edited
more than a dozen works on applied numismatics, archaeology, painting, sculpture, and
other arts.
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Comments
now that sounds like some books i'd be proud to have read/own to replace some of the other junk i'd picked up along the way.
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MJ
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
TD
PCGS Registries
Box of 20
SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
I recall reading a parody of Vermeule describing some simple item. He had an expressive style that made for good parody.
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
.
More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
Vermeule's 1893-S $1 is now THE PCGS MS67. .
IIRC Harvey Stack told me Vermeule, a long-time friend of his, was connected with the post-WWII intelligence community.
<< <i>IIRC Harvey Stack told me Vermeule, a long-time friend of his, was connected with the post-WWII intelligence community. >>
That wouldn't surprise me, given his military background and his skill with languages.
I feel honored to have been his publisher, for the updated release (second edition) of
Numismatic Art in America, brought up to date, as Capt Henway mentioned,
by David T. Alexander. He would sometimes send me postcards, eruditely written, and
in what might have been a cryptographic style! Instead of starting at upper-left and
writing in straight lines, he would begin writing in the center of the card, then spiral
around and around until he concluded with his signature. Creative and iconoclastic!
<< <i>Glad I was reminded of this great book.
Vermeule's 1893-S $1 is now THE PCGS MS67. .
>>
I'm working with Miles Standish on a Morgan dollar book that's illustrated with the coins of
the Coronet Collection. They're all remarkable! And of course a Vermeule provenance only
adds to the numismatic sparkle.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
borrow a copy for free from the ANA library.
<< <i>My favorite "coin book" period.
MJ >>
Agreed!
Proof Buffalo Registry Set
Capped Bust Quarters Registry Set
Proof Walking Liberty Halves Registry Set
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My sets: [280+ horse coins] :: [France Sowers] :: [Colorful world copper] :: [Beautiful world coins]
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Was fortunate enough to find a first edition and love what it says on the dust jacket sleeve:
Coins are a form of art to which every American is exposed - the only class of sculpture with which
many will ever come in contact.
His artistic persective on the designs is what makes it a must read, but great historical details as well.
I have never read either one cover to cover, but I have sections of them many times.
<< <i>There are two editions of this book, and I have both. The first one was published by Quartermen, and I prefer it. The commentary is sharper. The second is okay, but I would buy the first one if you can find it. Vermeule did not pull any punches were he did not care for a design in the first one. The second takes a softer approach.
I have never read either one cover to cover, but I have sections of them many times. >>
Are you saying that the original part was changed when the expanded edition was done, or that the added section was not as pointed as the original part?
<< <i>
<< <i>There are two editions of this book, and I have both. The first one was published by Quartermen, and I prefer it. The commentary is sharper. The second is okay, but I would buy the first one if you can find it. Vermeule did not pull any punches were he did not care for a design in the first one. The second takes a softer approach.
I have never read either one cover to cover, but I have sections of them many times. >>
Are you saying that the original part was changed when the expanded edition was done, or that the added section was not as pointed as the original part? >>
I'm not near my library right now, but as I remember the second edition is a re-write.
was toned down in the second edition.
David Alexander's chapter XI, "Numismatic Art Into the 21st Century,"
pages 207 - 247, picks up the narrative where Vermeule's original
left off. The two writers' voices are different, of course --- any two
writers would have different tones and nuances --- but it goes
without saying that Alexander is a worthy numismatist to carry
the baton forward. His coverage includes:
The Numismatic Horizon Widens: 1972 to 1976
American Arts Gold Medallions
The Susan B. Anthony Dollar: From Hope to Fiasco
Ex Tenebris: The Return of Commemorative Coinage
The Statehood Quarter Revolution
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>There are two editions of this book, and I have both. The first one was published by Quartermen, and I prefer it. The commentary is sharper. The second is okay, but I would buy the first one if you can find it. Vermeule did not pull any punches were he did not care for a design in the first one. The second takes a softer approach.
I have never read either one cover to cover, but I have sections of them many times. >>
Are you saying that the original part was changed when the expanded edition was done, or that the added section was not as pointed as the original part? >>
I'm not near my library right now, but as I remember the second edition is a re-write. >>
I checked with Dave. He says that all he did in the original section was to update verb tenses (such as, "so-and-so works at" to "worked at" or whatever) and correct a few factual errors. Pictures were reshot in color and the type was reset.
So, with the new edition you get all of the old one plus the updated section.
<< <i>I recall reading a parody of Vermeule describing some simple item. He had an expressive style that made for good parody. >>
You might be thinking of this. . . .
read the book or read parts of it.
"The general effect is pleasing: of the three the Dime is to many the most attractive piece. The head of Liberty is dignified, but although the silly story has been started that the profile is that of a "reigning belle" of New York, she can hardly be called a beauty;.....there is the fullness in the upper lip, which detracts from the expression, and a slight swelling on the back of the neck, that led one irreverent critic to remark "she is going to have a boil," and another to say "the throat is that of a gladiator"!"
Vermeule is generally complimentary of the design ("plumpish, matronly gravitas of Liberty") that was reflective of themes exhibited at the Chicago World's Fair.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
<< <i>Nice coin!
A former Tom Bush special!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Latin American Collection
As for the restaurant review - someone is channeling Dennis Miller, and I can't decide if that is a compliment or not
I have printed it out to tip in to my copy.
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
Good stuff.
Thanks so much for this thread! Does anyone know who wrote the restaurant review parody, or does the author wish to remain anonymous?
I have printed it out to tip in to my copy.
He's a member here, and he has great respect for the late Dr. Vermeule.
This is one of the first threads I read after joining here. It had just been bumped then and I think it is worthy of another now. Great book! - I ordered a used ex-library copy from an online book dealer.
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
I have read most of it.
Had it in hand two days ago.