Official commemorative medal honoring the 500th anniversary of the birth of Michelangelo, issued by the Franklin Mint under the name "International Society of Postmakers," Wawa, Pennsylvania, 1975

Abstract

General Description: Trademark for the International Society of Postmasters was filed by the Franklin Mint in 1973, registered in 1976, and expired in 1996. It seems to have been a pure marketing play for the silver medal and cancelled postage stamp combination sold as a unit. On the envelope for the medal, the Franklin Mint writes, "In Commemoration of the 500th Anniversary of the Birth of Michelangelo: This medallic first day cover pays tribute to one of the greatest artists of all time. It commemorates the 500th anniversary of the birth of Michelangelo. The stamp affixed to the cover was chosen by the International Society of Postmakers as the most outstanding stamp issued anywhere in the world during April 1975. It portrays the 'Pitti Tondo,' a relief sculptured by Michelangelo in about 1506 and exhibited today in the Bargello Museum in Florence, Italy. Known as a tondo because of it's circular frame, the relief takes it's name from Bartolommeo Pitti, who commissioned the work. In Michelangelo's monumental style, it shows the Virgin Mary with her left arm around the Christ child and with St. John the Baptist looking over her right shoulder. An official issue of 'Poste Italiane,' the stamp carries the Rome the first day of issue postmark of April 18, 1975. Combined with the stamp in the special commemorative cover is a sterling silver proof medal honoring the Michelangelo quincentennial. The distinguished Italian medallist Michael Rizello created the medallic portrait of Michelangelo. Rizello referred to Michelangelo's self-portraits to capture the facial features and expression of the great artist as he is about to begin a new sculpted work. Born on March 6, 1475, in the small village of Caprese near Florence, Michelangelo was in his 20s when he achieved fame with one of his best known masterpieces, the 'Pieta.' Completed later in his career, his Sistine Chapel frescoes depict the monumental story of creation and redemption. His magnificent marble statues of Moses and David are among the greatest works of art known to man."

Obverse Description: The obverse features a seated portrait of Michelangelo, depicting him leaning into his fist as his elbow rests on a podium, while in his other hand rests a mallet, presumably for working on marble. Around the portrait is the inscription "MICHELANGELO 1475-1564" in the surround. On the bottom right of the portrait relief, the artist has signed his name "Rizzello."

Reverse Description: The reverse features the inscription "OFFICIAL / COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE / Honoring the 500th Anniversary of / the birth of Michelangelo / April 18, 1975" followed by its reiteration in French reading "EMISSION COMMEMORATIVE / OFFICIELLE / En l'honneur du 500ieme anniversaire / de la naissance de Michel-Ange / Le 18 avril 1975." Above both inscriptions is the insignia for the International Society of Postmakers.

Historical Context:

Artist Biography: Michael Gaspard Rizzello (1926-2004) was born in London in 1926 to Italian parents. He studied at the Royal College of Art, where he won both the Drawing Prize and the Major Travelling Scholarship in Sculpture, enabling study in France and Italy. In 1951 he was awarded the Prix de Rome for sculpture. His commissions include work for Madame Tussauds, a bronze portrait of Lloyd George in Cardiff, a bust of Sir Thomas Beecham for the Royal Opera House, and the Dancer with Ribbon statue in Oxford Street, London. He completed many commissions of coins and medals from the Royal Mint and more than 90 other countries. He was made an OBE in 1977.

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