GERMANY. Death of Christian Fürchtegott Gellert White Metal Medal, ND (ca. 1795). NGC MS-61.
By Hans Heinrich Boltschauser. Diameter: 37mm. Obverse: Draped bust of Gellert facing left, perimeter legend CHRISTIAN FOERCHITEGOTT GELLERT. above; signature HB.S in folds of drapery; Reverse: Cherub, standing, facing, wiping away a tear, next to garlanded urn, onto which a branch, lyre, and palm fronds lean; perimeter legend VIRTVS CLARA AETERNAQVE HABETVR. Gellert was a German poet, and one of the precursors to the German literature movement that was started by Lessing and reached full fruition in Schiller and Goethe. He was well-loved due to his amiable and generous nature. The medal is undated, in contravention to the holder. Gellert died in 1769. Forrer identifies Boltschauser having produced a medal honoring Gellert; Boltschauser was born in 1754 and the majority of the medals highlighted by Forrer date between 1786 and 1801. This medal offers white argent surfaces with thin hints of cobalt and some scattered toning spots. Well-executed and attractive. 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: $200.00 - $300.00