Archive for Location
#3 Jay CLINE ~ A kind Collector with a Big Heart!
Posted by: | Comments 2023 In the previous post, about Jay Cline,
his kindness & graciousness
are quite evident.
Don Becker commented years after their meeting:
“We had a fun dinner visiting,
maybe three hours.
We were worn out.
~. ~. ~. ~. ~. ~. ~.
On July 22, 2010: After He and Don Becker made plans to meet at the Boston American Numismatic Association meeting.
Jay also reached out to me by email.
Emails with Jay Cline …
“My name is J. H. Cline, and Don Becker contacted you about me. I am the man who wrote a book about the quarters Hermon MacNeil designed for the U.S. government. I have specialized in 1916-1930 quarters since 1976, and have a collection of memorabilia related to Mr. MacNeil. I am a full-time coin dealer in Florida at this time, although I did business in Ohio for many years prior to my move down here.”
“Don and I are tentatively scheduled to meet for the first time, in Boston, on August 13th. I look forward to spending some time with him. I think he told me you are his first cousin?”
“Don tells me you are constructing a website. I would like to see some of your work and would appreciate the web address when it is complete. Where did you study? What are your favored subjects?”
“Please reply when you have the opportunity to do so.”
J. H. Cline
On Jul 22, 2010: I wrote back to Jay Cline mentioning:
- That Don and I made a 40 minute presentation to about 50 family members about his collecting of SLQs since his teen years and I introduced the website giving Jay a link to it?: https://hermonatkinsmacneil.com/
- That the website was just 3 months old. I posted about Jay’s book, reviews, order details and SLQ images. LINK
- That I Learned about “Uncle Hermon” from my mother. Her comments about my resemblance to her father (Hermon’s cousin), Tom Henry McNeil. I shared how my McNeil \MacNeil heritage had became the impetus for this website ~ a virtual MacNeil Gallery ~ his works across USA.
- That the Fourth Edition of The Standing Liberty Quarter excelled. “Your work is the best source I have found so far on the life of Hermon Atkins MacNeil.”
- That my own life work and family history, included engineering, ministry, teaching and chaplaincy.
- That all these seeds have grown as I approach retirement. I planned to travel and photograph all the MacNeil sculptures and art that I can find. [ The website has been a documentary of that since 2010. ]
- Lastly, “Here’s my Wild Hair idea! ~ 2016 is the 100th anniversary of the first SLQ, as well as, the 150 anniversary of the birth of Hermon Atkins MacNeil. “Does someone like yourself have ideas on how to mark and celebrate that year?” Dan Leininger
Later, Jay Cline wrote back:
Hello Dan,
It was so nice to hear back from you so quickly. I am headed out to St. Louis for a convention, but when I return, I will take the time to carefully look over the website. I look forward to doing that on Monday/Tuesday?
[ He gave me permission to use images from his website ]
Re: “Wild Hair”. I’ll have to think about that. Yes, I am life member #547 with the ANA, so I do have an opportunity to bend a few ears that could result in an anniversary project. I’ll ask around and share the feedback with you. We DO have time – although 2016 will be here before you blink! I choose to work full-time through my retirement, and the days fly by.
I’ll be in touch next week.
Jay
My Emails with Jay Cline ended there!
Jay Cline (from http://www.slqs.com/ )
Jay was right…
“the days did fly by”
until 2015 when I saw
this obituary …
J.H. Cline, of Palm Harbor, Fla., died Jan. 8, 2015, from injuries suffered in an accident.
He was owner of J.H. Cline Rare Coins. Mr. Cline specialized in Standing Liberty quarter dollars for more than 40 years.
In 1975 he published Standing Liberty Quarters. The fourth edition of the book was published in 2007.
Mr. Cline “began collecting coins in high school with a few Indian Head cents. His first Standing Liberty Quarter was a severely cleaned 1918-S from a friend who asked the great sum of 35¢ for the coin. He bought that piece in the early 1950’s,” his website states.
Mr. Cline is survived by his wife, Vicki, two daughters, and three sons.
Mrs. Cline told Coin World that per her husband’s instructions, “a private memorial service may be held at a later date.”
Mr. Cline began his full-time career in numismatics in 1964. He spent 31 years operating his own coin shop, Cline’s Rare Coins on Salem Avenue in Dayton, Ohio, before moving to Palm Harbor.
Mr. Cline was a life member of the American Numismatic Association. He was also a member of the Indiana State Numismatic Association, National Silver Dollar Roundtable, Florida United Numismatists, Central States Numismatic Society, and other coin clubs.
Source: Retrieved from World Coin News https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/longtime-coin-dealer-j-h-cline-dies.html
Saddened by that news, I went ahead
with plans for my Wild Hair idea! … the
Hermon Atkins MacNeil Medallion
celebrating 2016
as both a Centennial
the first minting of
of the Liberty Standing Quarter
and a Sesquicentennial
the birth of “Uncle”
Hermon Atkins MacNeil
Standing Liberty Quarter ~ 1916-2016 100th Anniversary of First Minting Year
Hermon A. MacNeil Medallion 150th Birth Anniversary ~ 1866-1947 ~
SOURCES:
- Coinworld.com/news from https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/longtime-coin-dealer-j-h-cline-dies.html
- Jay Cline from http://www.slqs.com
- CLINE #2: An Evening with Jay H. Cline ~ 2010 ~ Expert on MacNeil’s S.L.Q. ~ Signed His 4th Edition! (7.6) The American Numismatic Association met in Boston in 2010. A…
- Jay H. Cline ~ Loved the Standing Liberty Quarter~ #1 of 4 Stories. (6.2) AUGUST 2023 Jay H. Cline devoted his entire life and…
- Standing Liberty Quarter – Jay H. Cline’s Life-long Love (6.1) J. H. Cline’s 45 year admiration of Hermon A. MacNeil’s…
Related Images:
MacNeil’s Standing Liberty
J. H. Cline (19, Author/Expert ~ Standing Liberty Quarter
The American Numismatic Association met in Boston in 2010.
A private Dinner with
Jay H. Cline
would be the best dream for any SLQ collector.
Well, that dream became a real blessing for my nephew, Donald S. Becker of Bangor, Maine, a Project Engineer there with Haley Ward, Inc. Don remembers that event this way:
Don Becker, PE, Project Engineer with Haley Ward in Bangor, ME
“It was the American Numismatic Association meeting in Boston for the first time since 1982. Jay told me I should come as it was the best coin show event there is. He was always willing to visit by email and talk about coins and Hermon MacNeil. … “
“I had already contacted him to let him know how much I enjoyed the chapter [on Hermon] in the book and he wanted to discuss anything I knew about Hermon and anything about artistic talent in the Leininger, McNeil family.”
By email Don had found out that Jay Cline would be there. So, Don offered to buy Jay dinner if “he meet me to sign my book.” Don remembered that evening:
“We had dinner at Abe & Louie’s on 793 Boylston Street…. The restaurant is still there … and is a very nice venue.”
Front Door of Abe & Louie’s where Jay Cline and Don met.
Dining Room at Abe & Louie’s Restaurant, Boston, Mass.
I used to receive Cline’s price list on SLQ quarters which was his specialty.
It was a enjoyable dinner and…
he signed my copy of his book.
Jay Cline signed: “To Donald. Best Wishes. J. H. Cline. A.N.A. Boston. 8/13/10 ~~ THANKS FOR DINNER IT WAS GREAT !”
It was something I thought would be neat to do.
The national coin show was very large and dramatic.
Don continued his comments:
Don Becker Collected his first Standing Liberty Quarter in his teens, like Jay Cline did.
“Abe & Louie’s is located near the Hynes Convention Center, on Boylston Street, in Boston.The original founders retired when it was still part of the Backbay Restaurant Group.Yet the restaurant is still there. … It is a very nice restaurant.
[Owned now by Tavistock Restaurant Collection]
On April 15, 2013 the second blast site of the Boston Marathon Bombing was just a few buildings away.”
Boston’s Commonwealth Street ~ Yellow Circle marks Abe & Louie’s ~ Finish line of Marathon. Retrieved from https://abeandlouies.com/ on 6-9-2023 “I went as it was a national coin exhibition annual event somewhere close I could attend and included large US gold coin exhibition I wanted to see.”
~. ~. ~. ~. ~. ~. ~.
Bonus Images from Don:
Projects for Haley Ward in the Maine woods:
Don added two photos from his recent projects at Katahdin Woods and Water National Monument Visitors Contact Station projects.
Click link for MORE ~ Katahdin Woods and Waters Scenic Byway, National Park Service
A Trail created through Katahdin Woods
Water National Monument Visitors Contact Station project in T3 R7 WELS
Related posts:
- Standing Liberty Quarter – Jay H. Cline’s Life-long Love (11.2) J. H. Cline’s 45 year admiration of Hermon A. MacNeil’s…
- Jay H. Cline ~ Loved the Standing Liberty Quarter~ #1 of 4 Stories. (8.3) AUGUST 2023 Jay H. Cline devoted his entire life and…
Sources:
- https://abeandlouies.com/history/.
- Don Becker, PE, Project Engineer with Haley Ward in Bangor, ME
Related Images:
INDEPENDENCE DAY ~~ 247 Years !!!
Posted by: | CommentsHermon MacNeil’s Commander-in-Chief
George Washington on Arch in NYC
General George Washington with Flags (U.S. and POW/MIA) ~ Washington Arch Greenwich, NYC (Photo courtesy of: Gibson Shell – 2011)
Hermon MacNeil was a Red-White-and-Blue Sculptor of American History.
click BELOW for MORE.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
~ ~ ~ ~ 0 ~ ~ ~ ~
Images of
Happy 4th of July
from Dan Leininger, Webmaster
The Stars and Stripes fly day and night at the home of Webmaster Dan Leininger in South Dakota. They are illuminated dusk to dawn by automatic lighting. (The tie, however, only waves on special occasions like July 4th.)
Related posts:
- INDEPENDENCE DAY Images ~ from Hermon A. MacNeil (7.4) Here are a few images of Independence from Hermon Atkins…
- MacNeil Month ~~ February 2016 ~~ 150 Years (6) The year 2016 marks the sesquicentennial of the birth of…
- Hermon MacNeil at the 1893 Columbian Exposition ~ ~ ~ THE CHICAGO YEARS ~ ~ (6) CHICAGO YEARS: Partners and Colleagues When Hermon MacNeil came home to the…
- More “Confederate Defenders” Protests; AND Ten Years Ago on this Website. (6) Sunday (July 12, 2020) saw continued protest at the Confederate…
- Hermon MacNeil and Hamlin Garland ~ ~ Connections Through the Years – Part 3 (6) Hermon MacNeil met Hamlin Garland in Chicago. Hermon MacNeil Hermon…
- MacNeil’s Bust of John Stewart Kennedy ~ 100 Years Ago ~ THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY (5.8) A BRIEF NOTE from the Webmaster: “We did not discover…
Related Images:
MacNeil – Supreme Court
The 2 Fasces of the East Pediment. On Left in yellow circle: Man with traditional fascis. On Right in green circle: Woman with a grain sheath Fascis.
Additional Examples of
FASCES in Washington, D.C. Capitol Area:
Two fasces appear on either side of the flag of the United States behind the podium in the United States House of Representatives, with bronze examples replacing the previous gilded iron installments during the remodeling project of 1950.[9]
Podium of the
U. S. House of Representatives:
Podium of the U. S. House of Representatives
These 2 large Bronze fasces frame both sides of the Flag of the United States behind the podium in the United States House of Representatives. These larger-than-life bronze examples replaced the previous gilded iron installments during the remodeling project of 1950.[9]
Lincoln Memorial:
Daniel Chester Frenches tribute to
Lincoln’s Preservation of the Union
Seated In the marble throne supported by two Roman fasces symbols, Daniel Chester French’s “Lincoln” gazes contemplatively over the “preserved Union.”
At the Lincoln Memorial, Lincoln’s seat of state bears the fasces—without axes—on the fronts of its arms; fasces also appear on the pylons flanking the main staircase leading into the memorial.
Mercury Dime — Winged Liberty (reverse)
Fasces from the reverse of the Liberty (Winged Mercury) Dime minted from 1916 to 1945.
Another sculptor and colleague of Hermon MacNeil, Adolph Weinman, used a fasces motif in his coin design. The reverse of the Mercury Dime, the design [used until the adoption of the current FDR dime in 1945], features a fasces on the reverse side (tails).
“The Mercury dime is a ten-cent coin struck by the United States Mint from late 1916 to 1945. Designed by Adolph Weinman and also referred to as the Winged Liberty Head dime, it gained its common name because the obverse depiction of a young Liberty, identifiable by her winged Phrygian cap, was confused with the Roman god Mercury..
Other Uses of the “Fasces” in Art and Insignia.
- Statue of Freedom Fasces ring the base of the Statue of Freedom atop the United States Capitol building
- A frieze on the facade of the United States Supreme Court building depicts the figure of a Roman centurion holding a fasces, to represent “order”[10]
- The National Guard uses the fasces on the seal of the National Guard Bureau, and it appears in the insignia of Regular Army officers assigned to National Guard liaison and in the insignia and unit symbols of National Guard units themselves; for instance, the regimental crest of the 71st Infantry Regiment (New York) of the New York National Guard consisted of a gold fasces set on a blue background
- The official seal of the United States Tax Court bears the fasces at its center
- Four fasces flank the two bronze plaques on either side of the bust of Lincoln memorializing his Gettysburg Address at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
- The seal of the United States Courts Administrative Office includes a fasces behind crossed quill and scroll
- In the Washington Monument, there is a statue of George Washington leaning on a fasces
- A fasces is a common element in US Army Military Police heraldry, most visibly on the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 18th Military Police Brigade and the 42nd Military Police Brigade
- A fasces also appears shoulder sleeve insignia of the US Army Reserve Legal Command
- Seated beside George Washington, a figure holds a fasces as part of The Apotheosis of Washington, a fresco mural suspended above the rotunda of the United States Capitol Building.
- On the podium of the Emancipation Memorial in Washington D.C., beneath Abraham Lincoln‘s right hand. See Also: Capitol Hill Parks , National Capital Parks-East
- On the obverse of the 1896 $1 Educational Series note there is a fasces leaning against the wall behind the youth.
- In the Oval Office, above the door leading to the exterior walkway, and above the corresponding door on the opposite wall, which leads to the president’s private office; note: the fasces depicted have no axes, possibly because in the Roman Republic, the blade was always removed from the bundle whenever the fasces were carried inside the city, in order to symbolize the rights of citizens against arbitrary state power (see above).
~~
Seated In the marble throne supported by two Roman fasces symbols, Lincoln gazes contemplatively over the “preserved Union.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasces Fasces article at Wikipedia
Federal fasces iconography
Emancipation Memorial
Related Images:
After the adoption of the US Constitution in 1789 and for the next 146 years, the United States Supreme Court had no permanent home. Briefly from 1789 to 1800, the Federal Government functioned out of Philadelphia, and then New York City until the permanent Capitol was built in the District of Columbia. Finally, in 1800 the U.S. Federal Government moved into Washington, D.C.
Painting: “British Burn the Capitol, 1814,” Allyn Cox, 1974, Corridor, House wing, First Floor.
The Supreme Court of the United States, however, changed its meeting place a half dozen times within the Capitol. After the British burned the Capitol in the War of 1812, the Court convened in a private home. Eventually, from 1860 until 1935, the Court sat in what is now known as the “Old Senate Chamber.”
Hermon Atkins MacNeil (1866 -1947)
Cass Gilbert architect (1859 – 1934)
Though considered a co-equal branch, the Judicial function seemed a “nomadic” tenant of space in the growing Capitol until 1929. A former President, who later served as Chief Justice, changed that itinerant existence.
Chief Justice Wm. Howard Taft 1921
In 1929 Chief Justice William Howard Taft, who had been President of the United States from 1909 to 1913, persuaded Congress to end this arrangement and authorize the construction of a permanent home for the Court. Architect Cass Gilbert was charged by Chief Justice Taft to design “a building of dignity and importance suitable for its use as the permanent home of the Supreme Court of the United States.” [Gilbert and Taft were both Ohioans and life long friends.]
Neither Taft nor Gilbert survived to see the Supreme Court Building completed. Construction proceeded under the direction of Chief Justice Hughes and architects Cass Gilbert, Jr., and John R. Rockart. The construction, begun in 1932, was completed in 1935, when the Court was finally able to occupy its own building.
Hermon MacNeil and Architects
Hermon MacNeil trained in Paris at the Ecole de Beaux Arts with both sculptors and architects. He later won the Reinhart Prize and again studied with architects and sculptors from 1896 to 1899 at the American Academy in Rome.
The New York Architectural League wanted an award medallion to present to architects and sculptors. They commissioned Hermon MacNeil to create a suitable medal. Photos of MacNeil’s original clay masters may be viewed here: [CLICK HERE]. These clay were reduced onto the steel dies used press the final medallions pictured below.
Later A. A. Weinman and Hermon MacNeil were both awarded this commemorative creation. Weinman designed the Walking Liberty half dollar and the Mercury dime
The actual medal presented to Weinman is pictured below. It resides in the webmaster’s private collection.
New York Architectural League Medal. Designed by Hermon MacNeil this is the actual medallion awarded to A. A. Weinmann. https://www.pafa.org/museum/collection/item/medal-honor-sculpture-architectural-league-new-york Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
Hermon MacNeil and Cass Gilbert
MacNeil added sculptures to at least two of Cass Gilbert’s many buildings and monument projects.
-
United States Supreme Court 1928-1935[9] Washington, DC -
St. Louis Art Museum 1901-1904[12] Saint Louis, MO
MacNeil & the Supreme Court Building
The Supreme Court website suggests Gilbert was directly involved with the sculptor’s designs.
Cass Gilbert, the building’s architect, worked closely with MacNeil from 1932 to 1934 to create the thirteen symmetrically balanced figures above the Corinthian portico.
The central marble figures on this rarely noticed eastern pediment depict the theme “Justice – The Guardian of Liberty.” Sculptor MacNeil’s central figures represent three great Eastern civilizations from which our laws are derived. These figures portray lawgivers: Moses (receiver of Hebrew Ten Commandments) flanked by Confucius (Chinese philosopher and teacher) and Solon (Athenian lawmaker, statesman, and poet). Confucius is on the viewers’ left, Solon to the right, both flanking Moses with his hands on two separate tablets. 1
MacNeil & the St. Louis Art Museum (Palace of Fine Arts).
To view this collaboration from 1912: CLICK HERE
Photos:
- Painting: “British Burn the Capitol, 1814,” Allyn Cox, 1974, Corridor, House wing, First Floor. (https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/blog/most-magnificent-ruin-burning-capitol-during-war-1812)
- “The East Pediment” https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/east_pediment_11132013.pdf. SEE ALSO: “Religious Symbols Inside & Outside the U.S. Supreme Court Building”. Assembled by Nathaniel Segal 2014 http://nathanielsegal.mysite.com/TenCommandments/10SupremeCourtBuilding.html
- This Unique “New York Architectural League” Award Medal links H. A. MacNeil & A. A. Weinman. Posted by: | here on Sept. 01, 2022 https://hermonatkinsmacneil.com/2022/09/01/this-unique-new-york-architectural-league-award-medal-links-h-a-macneil-a-a-weinman/
- “New York Architectural League Medal” ~Original Clay Models saved from the MacNeil Studio ~ 1947 Posted by: | here on Sept. 16, 2022 https://hermonatkinsmacneil.com/2022/09/16/new-york-architectural-league-medal-original-clay-models-saved-from-the-macneil-studio-1947/
Research Sources:
- Cass Gilbert Society: Selected Works. Retrieved at https://www.cassgilbertsociety.org/works/ on May, 20, 2023
- Cass Gilbert Society: Biography. Retrieved at https://www.cassgilbertsociety.org/architect/bio.html on May, 20, 2023
Related Images:
Will Rogers, Got His Parting Wish. —
Posted by: | CommentsJulie Tsirkin reports “Debt Limit Deal Reached!”
As Will Rogers’ statue watches behind her
Jo Davidson, sculptor, 1921
Thanks to Jo Davidson,
“Will Rogers” is keeping his eye on Congress!
Hermon MacNeil’s “studio boy” became renowned sculptor Jo Davidson of portrait busts.
Jo Davidson looks uo to his bronze “Will Rogers” in his Paris Studio before came to the U.S.
Perhaps you saw
Julie Tsirkin,
Capitol correspondent,
report from the U.S. Capitol.
“Debt Limit Deal Reached!”
Sometimes you just see the “Will’s” legs and the shoes. But Will wanted his eyes kept on Congress. So “The old head hunter” (Will’s nickname for Jo) made his head turned so he could look down at Congress members as they walked into the Chamber.
~ ~ 0 ~ ~
“There are men running governments
who shouldn’t be allowed
to play with matches.”
– Will Rogers
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I don’t make jokes.
I just watch the government
and report the facts.
Will Rogers
Will Rogers statue in US Capitol sculpted by Jo Davidson who began his career as a “studio boy” for Hermon MacNeil in College Point.
If you could ever see the marble base it would reveal three words:
Will Rogers
Oklahoma
The Washington, D.C. version of the statue was unveiled in 1939.[11] At that unveiling on June 6, Senator Joshua B. Lee said of Rogers’ effect on the United States during the Depression, “His humor was the safety valve for American Life.”[12] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_(Davidson)
The House Connecting corridor is the common visual background for Capitol news briefings. The nameless, but familiar, dark bronze legs or full statue, represent Will’s last wish.
Last Wish of
Will Rogers
“I need to keep my eyes
on Congress.”
Jo Davidson’s statue watched on January 6, 2021 as raging Trump protestors turned into rioters (mixed with vigilantes) attacking the Capitol Building. [ breaking windows, carrying fire arms, vandalizing desks and offices, creating chaos and danger … ]
Senators were in the Constitutional process of certifying the votes of the Electoral College which authorizes the Inauguration of the 46th President on January 20, 2021.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
HUMOR from 100 years ago:
(Then tell me if Will Rogers still speaks to us in 2023.)
- “When you find yourself in a hole, quit digging.” – Will Rogers
- “The short memories of the American voters is what keeps our politicians in office.” – Will Rogers
- “If pro is the opposite of con, what is the opposite of Congress?” – Will Rogers
- “If stupidity got us in this mess, how come it can’t get us out.” – Will Rogers
- “A fool and his money are soon elected.” – Will Rogers
- “I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.” – Will Rogers
- “The more you observe politics, the more you’ve got to admit that each party is worse than the other.” – Will Rogers
- “Ten men in our country could buy the whole world and ten million can’t buy enough to eat.” – Will Rogers
- “It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation, but you can lose it in a minute.” – Will Rogers
- “An onion can make people cry, but there has never been a vegetable invented to make them laugh.” – Will Rogers
- “The difference between death and taxes is that death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets.” – Will Rogers
- “I am not a member of any organized political party — I am a Democrat.” – Will Rogers
- “Be thankful we’re not getting all the government we’re actually paying for.” – Will Rogers
- “There is no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you.” – Will Rogers
- “All I know is just what I read in the papers, and that’s an alibi for my ignorance.” – Will Rogers
Related posts:
- DC Capitol Assault? by “Trump-it-eers!” ~~ What Would Will Rogers Say about January 6, 2021 ? (9.6) Jo Davidson was the “studio boy” for Hermon Atkins MacNeil…
- Will Rogers Bedroom ~ Ponca City ~ Post # 4 ~ (7.7) E.W. Marland the colorful oil baron of the 1910s and…
CREDITS:
- Photo: Will Rogers Statue https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/exhibitions/timeline/image/will-rogers-jo-davidson-1938
- Will Rogers Quotes: https://inspirationfeed.com/will-rogers-quotes/
- Will Rogers Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_(Davidson)
