Abram Belskie

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

References:   MACo 1960-055

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Robert Lincoln McNeil, facing half right. Around top, ROBERT · LINCOLN · McNEIL; signed over left shoulder, ABRAM / BELSKIE Sc.

The reverse bears aerial view of corporate buildings. Across, 50TH / 1914 - ANNIVERSARY - 1964 / McNEIL / LABORATORIES, INC.

Robert Lincoln McNeil was the son of McNeil's Drugstore founder Robert McNeil. The drugstore had been opened in 1879, when recent Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science graduate Robert McNeil purchased a retail drugstore to which the new owner added a small manufacturing laboratory and a doctors' supply business.  In 1914, the year this medal celebrates as the founding year, the two McNeils formed a partnership called the Firm of Robert McNeil. By 1925, the manufacturing business was doing so well that they discontinued the retail business entirely. In 1933, they changed the company's name to reflect this change in focus.

The company was purchased by Johnson & Johnson in 1959 but obviously continued as a somewhat independent entity for some more years, at least long enough to celebrate a 50th anniversary in 1964.

Interestingly, the issuer of this medal, I assume it was the two sons of Robert Lincoln McNeil, Robert and Henry, chose to honor Robert Lincoln (the father) rather than Robert (the grandfather), who might be regarded as the original founder. I would guess that Robert Lincoln McNeil had been the driving force behind the transformation to a manufacturing business.

The circular medal measures 63.4mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1964-126

References:   MACo 1963-001-039, GANYU 39

The oval medal's obverse bears doctor standing behind boy, hands on his neck and abdomen; behind, USC medical center building. Around, FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE; signed at lower left, ABRAM / BELSKIE / Sc.

The reverse bears seal of the county of Los Angeles. Above, FOUNDED 1878; below, LOS ANGELES / COUNTY / USC / MEDICAL / CENTER

The LA County Medical Center dates back to 1878, when the County of Los Angeles opened a 100-bed hospital on Mission Road to care for Los Angeles’ indigent population. The County affiliated with the University of Southern California (USC) Medical School in 1885 for the provision of care.

On December 7, 1930, Hollywood actress Mary Pickford dedicated the 8-ton cornerstone for a modern Los Angeles County General Hospital on State Street. The building opened in 1933 but was damaged by an earthquake in 1994.  It was finally replaced in 2008.

The distinguished service medal has been awarded since 1967.

The oval medal measures 62.6mm x 82.4mm and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.  No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1967-106

The medal's obverse bears likeness of Martin Luther King Jr. facing quarter left. Around top, MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.; around bottom, 1929 - 1968; signed on truncation at right, ABR. B.

The reverse bears two male figures holding a scroll and a book with arms on each other's shoulders. spread eagle and star behind them. Around top, I HAVE A DREAM; in exergue, PEACE JUSTICE / BROTHERHOOD

Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) was a Baptist minister who became the most visible spokesperson for the civil rights movement from 1954 until his assassination in 1968. He won the Nobel Peace Prize on 1964 for his message of racial equality and nonviolent resistance. He was also posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.

"I have a dream" on the medal's reverse refers to one of his most famous speeches that he delivers in 1963 during the March on Washington.

The circular medal was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York City.  No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1968-056

References:   BG 9