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This uniface plaque bears bust of Shakespeare facing left. Above, SHAKESPEARE; signed at right (HC monogram) / 1929
The edge is marked MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y.
The plaque measures 92mm x 72mm and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.
References: MACo 1929-064
This section contains a table of detailed medal information. Currently, I am not aware of any variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any or if you find incorrect or missing information.
| material | Bronze |
|---|---|
| edge6 | MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y. |
| dimensions | 72mm x 92mm |
| mintage | unknown |
The medal's obverse bears a muscular nude goddess of art holding a small Nike with Pegasus and guiding star behind. The reverse bears a hand holding a modeling tool in front of a caliper and L-square. Around, THIS ABOVE ALL TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE.
The purpose of Abram Belskie's medal is not known, but the title, a line from Shakespeare's Hamlet, suggests that this medal was commissioned to honor artistic achievement and to encourage artists to follow their own creative impulses. In the artist's own words:
"The drama of Sculpture does not always appear on the surface but its story is indeed the story of civilization. Art is a goddess who smiles upon all, though mostly on her votaries and whose charms are very young. The sculptors of every age are the true mute though not inglorious laureates of their time and as long as men remain men, the principals [sic] of eternal beauty will woo their imagination."
This medal was chosen as the 49th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series. The Society's members seemed torn on this medal. While some found it beautiful and even without peer, others objected to lack of detail, anatomical weaknesses, and being "too modernistic for plain men."
The circular medal measures 73mm in diameter and was struck in bronze and silver by the Medallic Art Company. The mintage was reported as 748 pieces in bronze. The number of silver pieces is not known but the edition was limited to 700.
References: MACo 1930-001-049, SoM 49
This section contains a table of detailed variant information. Currently, I am only aware of 4 variants of this medal. Please notify me if you come across any others or if you find incorrect or missing information.
| material | Bronze |
|---|---|
| patina | Red-gold bronze with light tan patina |
| edge12 | THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS-49TH ISSUE-MAY 1954-ABRAM BELSKIE, SC. |
| edge6 | MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. BRONZE |
| diameter | 73mm |
| mintage | 748 reported (for all Bronze variants) |
| material | Bronze |
|---|---|
| patina | Golden bronze with light tan patina |
| edge12 | THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS-49TH ISSUE-MAY 1954-ABRAM BELSKIE, SC. |
| edge6 | MACO BRONZE |
| diameter | 73mm |
| mintage | 748 reported (for all Bronze variants) |
| material | Bronze |
|---|---|
| patina | Golden bronze with light tan patina |
| edge12 | THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS-49TH ISSUE-MAY 1954-ABRAM BELSKIE, SC. |
| edge6 | MEDALLIC ART CO.-DANBURY, CONN |
| diameter | 73mm |
| mintage | 748 reported (for all Bronze variants) |
| material | Silver |
|---|---|
| edge12 | THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS-49TH ISSUE-MAY 1954-ABRAM BELSKIE, SC. - ONE OF LIMITED ISSUE OF 700 |
| edge6 | © MEDALLIC ART CO. DANBURY, CT. .999 FINE SILVER |
| diameter | 73mm |
| mintage | unknown, 700 authorized |