The Race Across The Atlantic
Sep 14 2010

By Dominic Savastano Today the biggest problem in flying across the Atlantic seems to be knowing which airport terminal you have to leave from and getting to the check point on time. Perhaps we should think for a moment or two of the first non-stop aerial Transatlantic crossing and we might realize that, despite occasional delays and lost luggage, just how lucky we are today. We might even pay homage to the statue of those two intrepid aviators, Captain John Alcock and Lieuten...

Veritas Temporis Filia
Sep 11 2010

By Richard Bishop "Here is a picture of the Kingdom of Heaven" Between 1552 and 1572, hundreds of skilled craftsmen were employed on the decoration of the St. Janskirk in Gauda. In the North Transept can be seen the magnificent King's Window, which took two years to complete. In one panel Solomon is offering a sacrifice in the Temple at Jerusalem. The sacrifice has burst into flames, a sure sign that the offering has found favour in the eyes of the Lord. In one of the ten banderols that bear...

Notes For British Palestine
Sep 11 2010

By Dr. K.A. Rodgers Few tracts of real estate on our planet engender such intensity of emotions as does Palestine. For millennia the land has consumed hearts, minds - and bodies. It is seldom out of the news these days. Little wonder then, that objects that evoke its history are in demand, more so when they carry potent symbols of the region's past. For many, the banknotes issued during the British Mandate in the early twentieth century epitomize the land and i...

The Order of the Thistle
Sep 06 2010

By Peter Galloway The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle was instituted by King James VII (of Scotland) and II (of England) in 1687 to recognize the loyalty of those who governed Scotland in his name. From those early years and through eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when political allegiance was often foremost in the selection of a knight, the Order of the Thistle has matured into an honour that recognizes Scots men and women of outstanding reputation and pre-eminent serv...

A Bibliography of 18th Century Numismatic Books
Sep 04 2010

By Christian E. Dekesel & Yvette M. M. Dekesel-De Ruyck Early numismatic publications contain invaluable evidence which can throw new light upon unsolved numismatic questions. This new work contains over 6000 numismatic works published between 1700 and 1800. The authors have studied each publication page by page and have meticulously categorized and analysed their contents. The first volume includes a detailed geographical, chronological and categorical analysis of all 18th century numism...

Portraits of Greek Coinage - 'Athens'
Jul 13 2010

  ARTetradrachm. c.450 BC. 17.18g (21/23mm diameter). Die axis, 315˚. Author's collection. Ex Spink, NCirc, August 2000, 2843. Cf. Starr, 196. Obv. Head of Athena r., wearing helmet decorated with three olive leaves and a curling palmette. Hair in two even loops across brow and temple. Disc shaped earring. Beaded edge to nape of helmet. Rev. Owl standing r., body leaning to r. with facing head slightly tilted. Conjoined tuft of tail feathers. Olive sprig and crescent...