POLL: Have you read Cornelius Vermeule's "Numismatic Art in America"?

Dentuck · December 11, 2013 6:52AM

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.

LanceNewmanOCC · December 11, 2013 7:08AM

.
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.
.

Justacommeman · December 11, 2013 7:08AM

My favorite "coin book" period.

MJ

CaptHenway · December 11, 2013 7:19AM

I have used Vermeule's book many, many times over the years while writing articles. I am glad to have the new edition that was updated by David T. Alexander.

TD

AnkurJ · December 11, 2013 8:33AM

Parts of it. Excellent book!

JohnHarper · December 11, 2013 9:25AM

Good book but long out of print. Somebody should republish it. Oh wait, somebody already did.

I recall reading a parody of Vermeule describing some simple item. He had an expressive style that made for good parody.

coinsarefun · December 11, 2013 9:51AM

I never knew of this book but will check into it immediately, thanks for posting this!

ColonelJessup · December 11, 2013 10:27AM

Glad I was reminded of this great book.

Vermeule's 1893-S $1 is now THE PCGS MS67. .

Isn't it now the Coronet piece?

IIRC Harvey Stack told me Vermeule, a long-time friend of his, was connected with the post-WWII intelligence community.

Dentuck · December 11, 2013 10:34AM

<< 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!

Dentuck · December 11, 2013 10:40AM

<< Glad I was reminded of this great book.

Vermeule's 1893-S $1 is now THE PCGS MS67. .

Isn't it now the Coronet piece?
>>

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.

TomB · December 11, 2013 10:42AM

I have read the first edition cover-to-cover many times and it is my favorite coin book of all time. I do not own the second edition.

SmEagle1795 · December 11, 2013 10:51AM

It looks like it is available on the Kindle for digital download.

Sonorandesertrat · December 11, 2013 10:54AM

Vermeule's book is a great book, one that every collector of U.S. coins should have in his/her personal library.

sumnom · December 11, 2013 11:48AM

There are multiple used copies available here.

Goldbully · December 11, 2013 12:01PM

Get her while you can......$25.99 delivered

Dentuck · December 11, 2013 1:50PM

If you're a member of the American Numismatic Association you can also
borrow a copy for free from the ANA library.

BG · December 11, 2013 5:56PM

Definitely a very good read.

Eagleguy · December 12, 2013 1:09AM

<< My favorite "coin book" period.

MJ >>

Agreed!

brg5658 · December 12, 2013 1:39AM

Interestingly, within 3 hours of this post being made yesterday, all of the copies on Amazon under the $30 mark (new) disappeared. I can't wait to get my copy, thanks for bringing this book to my attention, it looks to be a great read!

shylock · December 12, 2013 1:54AM

Yes I have. Think it was TomB who recommended it to me and it became my favorite numismatic book.
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.

BillJones · December 12, 2013 5:11AM

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.

johnny9434 · December 12, 2013 5:18AM

that sounds like a very good read.

CaptHenway · December 12, 2013 5:29AM

<< 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?

BillJones · December 12, 2013 5:32AM

<< 

<< 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.

Dentuck · December 12, 2013 5:57AM

I can attest that none of Vermeule's trenchant and biting commentary
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

CaptHenway · December 12, 2013 11:43PM

<< 

<< 

<< 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.

Dentuck · December 13, 2013 1:57AM

<< 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. . . .

CaptHenway · December 13, 2013 2:22AM

sumnom · December 13, 2013 4:51AM

After reading the parody I can't wait to read the book. I have a copy of the first edition on order.

Dentuck · December 15, 2013 12:14AM

It's impressive that nearly 50 percent of respondents have either
read the book or read parts of it.

Catbert · December 15, 2013 2:31AM

There are many fine sections to absorb and appreciate. Additionally, there are references to commentary when coin designs were introduced. For example, here is an 1892 American Journal of Numismatics quote regarding the Barber coinage (page 86 of the second edition):

"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.

TomB · December 15, 2013 8:25AM

Nice coin!

Catbert · December 15, 2013 8:50AM

<< Nice coin!

>>

A former Tom Bush special!

Dentuck · June 9, 2016 3:43AM

A lunchtime visit to Fat Matt's Rib Shack brought this old conversation to mind.

Boosibri · June 9, 2016 6:17AM

I've been to Fat Matts many times

Testoon2 · June 9, 2016 6:30AM

Great book! I discovered it while digging through the numismatics section in my university library.

BillJones · June 9, 2016 12:38PM

Yes, but it's not the type book you read like a novel. It's more of a reference work in my opinion.

Coinosaurus · June 9, 2016 2:45PM

I refer to Vermeule often - one of the most important works on American numismatics.

As for the restaurant review - someone is channeling Dennis Miller, and I can't decide if that is a compliment or not

carabonnair · June 28, 2016 3:15AM

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.

BG · June 28, 2016 2:26PM

I have the 2nd edition and have read all the early commemorative sections.

Good stuff.

Dentuck · June 29, 2016 2:29AM

Originally posted by: carabonnair
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.

carabonnair · November 28, 2018 3:16PM

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.

BillJones · November 28, 2018 3:26PM

I have read most of it.

Ronyahski · November 28, 2018 3:50PM

Had it in hand two days ago.

POLL: Have you read Cornelius Vermeule's "Numismatic Art in America"?

Comments

Leave a Comment

Categories

POLL: Have you read Cornelius Vermeule's &quot;Numismatic Art in America&quot;?

Comments

Leave a Comment

Categories

POLL: Have you read Cornelius Vermeule's "Numismatic Art in America"?