FRANCE. Death of Pierre-Laurent Buirette de Belloy Silver Medal, 1775. NGC MS-61.
By Joseph-Charles Roettiers. Diameter: 45mm. Obverse: Bust of Buirette facing right, perimeter legend P. L. DE BUIRETTE DE BELLOY. to left and right; signature J. C. R. on truncation of bust; Reverse: Perimeter legend P. L. DE BUIRETTE DE BELLOY . CITOYEN DE CALAIS . L . D . 40 . De L'ACAD. FRANCSE. * enclosing five-line legend L'AMITIE / LE PRESENTE / A LA PATRIE / J. C. ROETTIERS EN / 1775 . AGE DE 83 ANS; a small hound's head is located between the third and fourth lines. Pierre-Laurent Buirette de Belloy was a French playwright and actor. Sent to live with his uncle at age five, he was trained in the law to follow in his uncle's profession as an advocate. Following his muse, he instead ran away in the dead of night, joined a touring group of comedians, and became an actor. His uncle actively attempted to sabotage his endeavors and Buirette was not in the clear until his uncle's death circa 1760. He was noted for introducing native French heroes in his dramas rather than relying on those of classical Rome and Greece. This medal offers pleasing argent surfaces, darkening toward the peripheries and a thin wash of warm champagne throughout. Attractive and rare.
Margolis had a few rather overt interests in his collecting of medallic art. One such theme was that of medals pertaining to man's earliest pursuits to conquer the heavens in the form of ballooning. The European exploits of the late 18th century are contained here across many different country categories. Also quite noticeable was his interest in the medallic art of Jewish engravers, such as Jakob Abraham and his son, Abraham Abramson, among numerous others. Across this selection of medals, these themes and topics will become obvious, adding further dimensions to the already intense focus with which Margolis pursued his collecting.
From the Richard Margolis Collection.

Estimate: $100.00 - $200.00