Jacques Wiener's Most Remarkable Edifices of Europe: The Man, Monuments, and Medals [Hardcover]

The nineteenth century medal series The Greatest Edifices of Europe by Belgian engraver-medalist Jacques Wiener is examined in detail. The work begins by providing a biographical background for Wiener, integrating two primary, existing sources. The overall medal series is then addressed starting with its inception as defined in Wiener's original 1854 prospectus through its quietly incomplete conclusion. The scope of the series, its range of issue dates, and elements and characteristics of its production are presented. For each edifice commemorated, the associated medals, including new and unpublished varieties, are presented, legends translated, die characteristics examined, contemporary supporting documentation cited, issue dates revised, and source images used by the artist are identified in limited cases. Where applicable, instances of divergence between the state of the actual monument and Wiener's renderings are noted as well. The intent of the work is to provide a greater understanding of the medal series through a contextual approach.For each edifice commemorated, the associated medals, including new and unpublished varieties, are presented, legends translated, die characteristics examined, contemporary supporting documentation cited, issue dates revised, and source images used by the artist are identified in limited cases.Michael Ross, an undergraduate at the outbreak of the War, immediately volunteered for military service and was commissioned into the Welch Regiment. This classic memoir, originally published in 1997 as From Liguria With Love and now updated by his son David, describes his experiences in North Africa, where he was captured, and Italy, both as POW and as an escapee, fighting alongside the partisans. Ross was Mentioned in Despatches for gallantry.After the war, he returned to Italy and married Giovanna, the daughter of the family that had hidden him from the enemy for many months. He later served in Korea, Hong Kong and Berlin before transferlSž