Circle of Friends of the Medallion
Encyclopedia
Circle of Friends of the Medallion was formed by Charles DeKay
, Robert Hewitt, Jr.
and two brothers Henri and Felix Weil, all from New York City. De Kay, "a newspaperman and art lover" provided the contacts to form the Circle of Friends of the Medallion, often referred to as the Circle of Friends, while Hewitt, "a Manhattan real estate investor" provided the funds for its development. Henri and Felix Weil operated the Medallic Art Company
of New York that made the 1st, 2d and 12th medals in the series. Joseph K. Davison & Sons of Philadelphia struck the other medals.
The Circle of Friends issued a total of twelve medals
from 1909 to 1915. Numismatists
estimate that the Circle of Friends issued "no more than 500 of any" medal in the series and each was professionally presented in "tan cloth books." De Kay wrote the articles that accompanied the medals. The medals were not offered for public sale. Instead, they were issued to a small group of collectors that formed the Circle of Friends.
The Circle of Friends commissioned leading medalists of the time to create the series and the medals were superbly designed with interesting themes, often commemorating significant events, places or people. A few of the medals broke from traditional design by using oblong and oval edge shapes. The Circle of Friends consisted of approximately 400 members, including several prominent individuals such as "inventor Alexander Graham Bell
, financier J. Pierpont Morgan
, U.S. Mint
Director A. Piatt Andrew
, two U.S. senators, well-known coin dealer Wayte Raymond
and sculptors Flanagan, Brenner and Bela Lyon Pratt
."
Although the Circle of Friends only existed for a few years, it significantly impacted exonumia
in two ways. Firstly, private collectors designed and executed a medal series for the first time in America. This provided a new form of expression for American artists using American themes and it boosted patron involvement in medallic art. Secondly, the Circle of Friends laid the groundwork for future medallic endeavors in America and increased the experience base of important individuals and organizations in the field, such as the Medallic Art Company. Later, the Medallic Art Company struck the prestigious series produced by The Society of Medalists
.
Charles DeKay
Charles Augustus DeKay was a linguist, poet, critic and a fencer. He was a son of George Coleman De Kay, a naval officer. He was best known for founding the National Arts Club and the Fencers Club. He was inducted into the United States Fencing Hall of Fame in 2008...
, Robert Hewitt, Jr.
Robert Hewitt, Jr.
Robert Hewitt, Jr. was a successful real estate investor in Manhattan, New York, and a notable numismatist. Hewitt began collecting coins as a young man while serving a mercantile apprenticeship and compiled a comprehensive Abraham Lincoln medal collection considered by numismatists as one of the...
and two brothers Henri and Felix Weil, all from New York City. De Kay, "a newspaperman and art lover" provided the contacts to form the Circle of Friends of the Medallion, often referred to as the Circle of Friends, while Hewitt, "a Manhattan real estate investor" provided the funds for its development. Henri and Felix Weil operated the Medallic Art Company
Medallic Art Company
Medallic Art Company, Ltd. based in Dayton, Nevada is "America’s oldest and largest private mint" and specializes in the design and manufacture of medals...
of New York that made the 1st, 2d and 12th medals in the series. Joseph K. Davison & Sons of Philadelphia struck the other medals.
The Circle of Friends issued a total of twelve medals
Medal
A medal, or medallion, is generally a circular object that has been sculpted, molded, cast, struck, stamped, or some way rendered with an insignia, portrait, or other artistic rendering. A medal may be awarded to a person or organization as a form of recognition for athletic, military, scientific,...
from 1909 to 1915. Numismatists
Numismatics
Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, and related objects. While numismatists are often characterized as students or collectors of coins, the discipline also includes the broader study of money and other payment media used to resolve debts and the...
estimate that the Circle of Friends issued "no more than 500 of any" medal in the series and each was professionally presented in "tan cloth books." De Kay wrote the articles that accompanied the medals. The medals were not offered for public sale. Instead, they were issued to a small group of collectors that formed the Circle of Friends.
The Circle of Friends commissioned leading medalists of the time to create the series and the medals were superbly designed with interesting themes, often commemorating significant events, places or people. A few of the medals broke from traditional design by using oblong and oval edge shapes. The Circle of Friends consisted of approximately 400 members, including several prominent individuals such as "inventor Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell was an eminent scientist, inventor, engineer and innovator who is credited with inventing the first practical telephone....
, financier J. Pierpont Morgan
J. P. Morgan
John Pierpont Morgan was an American financier, banker and art collector who dominated corporate finance and industrial consolidation during his time. In 1892 Morgan arranged the merger of Edison General Electric and Thomson-Houston Electric Company to form General Electric...
, U.S. Mint
United States Mint
The United States Mint primarily produces circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint was created by Congress with the Coinage Act of 1792, and placed within the Department of State...
Director A. Piatt Andrew
Abram Andrew
Abram Piatt Andrew Jr. was a United States Representative from Massachusetts.-Biography:Born in La Porte, Indiana, he attended the public schools and the Lawrenceville School...
, two U.S. senators, well-known coin dealer Wayte Raymond
Wayte Raymond (numismatist)
Wayte Raymond was a numismatist from the United States. He authored several numismatic books and catalogs and his Standard Catalog was considered the premier coin guide of its time. He was inducted into the Numismatic Hall of Fame in 1969....
and sculptors Flanagan, Brenner and Bela Lyon Pratt
Bela Pratt
Bela Lyon Pratt was an American sculptor.-Life:Pratt was born in Norwich, Connecticut to Sarah and George Pratt, a Yale-educated lawyer. His maternal grandfather, Oramel Whittlesey, was a pianoforte maker and founder in 1835 of the first music school in the country authorized to confer degrees to...
."
Although the Circle of Friends only existed for a few years, it significantly impacted exonumia
Exonumia
Exonumia are numismatic items other than coins and paper money. This includes "Good For" tokens, badges, counterstamped coins, elongated coins, encased coins, souvenir medallions, tags, wooden nickels and other similar items...
in two ways. Firstly, private collectors designed and executed a medal series for the first time in America. This provided a new form of expression for American artists using American themes and it boosted patron involvement in medallic art. Secondly, the Circle of Friends laid the groundwork for future medallic endeavors in America and increased the experience base of important individuals and organizations in the field, such as the Medallic Art Company. Later, the Medallic Art Company struck the prestigious series produced by The Society of Medalists
The Society of Medalists
The Society of Medalists was established in 1930 to encourage the medallic work of superior sculptors, and to make their creations available to the public. The Society of Medalists was the oldest art medal collector's organization in the United States and has released 129 medals from 1930 to 1995...
.
External links
- Medal Collectors of America: Circle of Friends of the Medallion. This website contained details of all twelve medals in the series with links to pictures of each. This website also contained a detailed list of references on the "Circle of Friends."