Only in America: the Story of Medalist Marcel Jovine

by Samuel Pennington

Only in America!

An enemy combatant, forcibly brought to the U.S. and held in a prison camp where he found life and love, returned to America after repatriation and became a talented toymaker, coin designer, sculptor, and an outstanding and most prolific medalist.

Such was the life of Marcel Jovine (1921-2003). An engineer in the Italian army, he was captured in North Africa during World War II and interned in a POW camp in Pennsylvania. There he met and fell in love with Angela D'Oro, a first-generation Italian-American pianist and singer who gave concerts for the prisoners.

With the war over, he was sent back to Italy in 1946 but kept up correspondence with Miss D'Oro. He returned in 1950 to the US where he soon married D'Oro and was naturalized as a US citizen.

According to his daughter Andrea Jovine, her father started his career dressing store windows in New York City. "He started fooling around with plastic and rubber substances to make things for the windows, which led to his designing and making toys with the substance he had created." He created the Playbook series of plastic figures in 1951, including Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack & the Beanstalk, Hansel & Gretel, Three Bears, and Cinderella. There was a plastic baby doll that the Ideal Toy Company named and sold as the Blessed Event doll. Next came a toy pirate ship and crew, followed by some army tanks and weapons.

The next toys, however, would have assured his fame even if he produced nothing further. Who doesn't remember the 1960 models of the Visible Man and the Visible Woman, both made of plastic and featuring removable organs, including optional sex organs that could be used or omitted, at the discretion of parents. For liberated parents there were even parts for the Visible Woman to show pregnancy.

Jovine sculpted bronzes of the Horse of the Year for the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America, Inc.: Affirmed, 1979; John Henry, 1982; and Conquistador Cielo, 1983.

He created his first medal in 1964 for his adopted hometown of Closter, New Jersey. Thereafter, his list of medals is impressive and long. He was the only sculptor to do three medals for the Society of Medalists, but according to numismatic author D. Wayne Johnson, writing in an obituary, Jovine's fame would be assured by one superb work.

"Among numismatists, however, his memory will exist for centuries for perhaps the most notable numismatic medallic work of the 20th century. This was the American Numismatic Society's 125th Anniversary Plaquette in which he replicated dozens of the most famous coins and medals from the Society's collections…This piece projects the essence of numismatics and vivifies the field we all hold dear in a stunning work of medallic art!"

The plaquette is also of interest to medal collectors for the way it illustrates several coin and medal making techniques.

In the July 2006 Presidential Coin and Antique Company auction catalog, H. Joseph Levine offered this description: "AMERICAN NUMISMATIC SOCIETY 125TH ANNIVERSARY MEDAL, 1983, 91 x 101 mm. Bronze. Marcel Jovine, Sc. Struck by Stefano Johnson, Italy. Choice Uncirculated. Serially numbered '492' near the lower right corner of the reverse. The obverse depicts a minter using the technique of hammer striking to produce a coin. Behind him are representations of various pieces from the ANS collection. The medal was produced using casts of actual specimens, which were then set in the model and reduced using the Janvier lathe process illustrated on the reverse of the medal. The choice of the Lincoln cent symbolizes the role of the Society in coin and medal design. Its sculptor, Victor D. Brenner, was an active member of the NS and had the support of the Society in getting his design adopted. Also on the reverse is a screw press which replaced hammer striking in the early modern period and remains as the basis for contemporary methods of coin production. An absolutely spectacular looking medal-undoubtedly the centerpiece of an ANS display." Levine estimated the auction price at $200/400. It brought $192 with buyer's premium.

Given the large number of medals to his credit, you might think medals by Jovine would be plentiful on the market, but it is not so. The ANS medal has come up a few times, as has his 13th medal in the Brookgreen Gardens membership series, a 1985 medal picturing a sculptor at work, which sold for $192 at the 2006 Presidential Coin auction. Steve Hayden at (www.civilwartokens.com/society_of_medalists.htm) will sell you the Society of Medalists #122, Michelangelo's Creation/ Biblical prophesy, for $375. SOM #101, Unicorn/ Medieval procession, has come up occasionally.

Marcel Jovine working on the plaster models for the 1985 Brookgreen Gardens membership medal. Photograph by Gene Washnik. Photo courtesy National Sculpture Society.

The 1985 Brookgreen Gardens membership medal. Brookgreen’s web site describes it: “Sculpture at work was the subject of the 1985 medal by Marcel Jovine. The obverse, modeled in high relief, shows a sculptor carving the head of a horse, his classical features in profile, eyes turned toward the sculpture. The horse’s head and neck dominate the field of the medal. The reverse depicts the completed sculpture of Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek mythology in full flight. The wings with detailed feather striations enfold the body of the rearing horse and frame the medal design. Pegasus, a symbol of artistic inspiration, completes the medal’s theme.”

American Numismatic Society 125th Anniversary medal. See text for description.

In fact, a search of "Jovine" on eBay brings up over 100 items from Marcel's daughter, the well-known fashion designer Andrea Jovine, and just one for him, a cheesy 1984 Olympic commemorative sculpture of a gymnast performing on the balance beam. It is made of polyester, pewter, and aluminum powder and has a "Buy It Now" price of $19.95. Fame is fleeting.

Marcel Jovine and his daughter Andrea, a noted fashion designer. Photo taken at a National Sculpture Society dinner around 2000. Photo courtesy National Sculpture Society.

This is a list of medals and plaques created by Marcel Jovine. The list is from American Artists: Diesinkers, Engravers, Medallists, Sculptors, an unpublished directory copyright 2007 as a work in progress by D. Wayne Johnson.

CAST MEDALS
1983 Minter Cast Plaquette (obv of ANS 125th Anniversary)
1983 Hand Over Oak Leaves Cast Medal

MEDAL SERIES
Brookgreen Gardens Members Medal Series:
1985 Brookgreen Gardens Sculptor at Work Medal

Medallic Art Company Calendar Medal Series:
1976 American Revolution Bicentennial Calendar Medal
1977 Salute to Old Glory Calendar Medal
1978 Zodiac Calendar Medal
1979 Sailing Ships Tall and True Calendar Medal
1980 Olympic Winter Games Lake Placid Calendar Medal
1981 History of Flight Calendar Medal
1982 Dreamer of Dreams Calendar Medal
1982 Northrup King Company Dreamer of Dreams Calendar Medal
1983 American Automobile Calendar Medal
1985 Rime of the Ancient Mariner Calendar Medal
1986 Statue of Liberty Calendar Medal (also called Mother of Exiles Calendar Medal)
1987 Eagle Calendar Medal
1988 Carousel Calendar Medal
1989 Pegasus Calendar Medal
1990 Great American Circus Calendar Medal

Society of Medalists Issues: (Jovine was the only artist to create three SOM issues)
1976 Society of Medalists Yankee Doodle American Bicentennial Medal
1980 Society of Medalists 101st Issue (also called Dreamer of Dreams Medal)
1990 Society of Medalists 122nd Issue (also called Creation Medal)

Society of Medalists 1976 bicentennial medal, “Yankee Doodle Came to Town Riding on a Pony.”

Society of Medalists #101, June 1980, Dreamer of Dreams (Unicorn)/ Medieval procession. David T. Alexander describes this medal in an offprint from The MCA Advisory, a monthly publication of the Medal Collectors of America: The obverse shows an “...endless circle of medieval hunters on horseback with hounds and attendants in search of the Unicorn, who is secure in a constricted circle at center.” The reverse shows the “...unicorn rampant [titled] ‘To/ THE/ DREAMERS/ OF/ DREAMS.’ “In his From the Artist, Jovine wrote, ‘A practical person would describe a unicorn as...“a fabulous animal...with the body of a horse, the hind legs of a stag, the tall of a lion with a single horn in the center of his forehead.” To the DREAMER OF DREAMS, the Unicorn is a reality and never more alive than when we need him most.’ He traced his design to Gothic tapestries of the Unicorn hunt and recalled Alice in Wonderland dismissing the Unicorn as a fabulous monster, only to have one tell her, ‘If you’ll believe in me, I’ll believe in you. Is that a bargain?’”

Society of Medalists #122, Michelangelo’s creation.

United States Capitol Historical Society Series:
1986 United States Capitol Historical Society Statue of Liberty Medal
1987 Constitution Commission Bicentennial Medal
1989 United States Congress and George Washington’s First Inauguration Bicentennial Medal
1990 United States Supreme Court Bicentennial Medal America’s Twin Viking Medal Set:
1976 Viking I and II Mars Landing Medal American Destiny Series: (Issued by American Mint)
1972 Manifest Destiny Keystone Medal (rev 9-line inscription, stagecoach)
1972 Battle of Wounded Knee Medal
1972 Cattle Drive Medal
1972 Covered Wagon Medal
1972 Dodge City Medal
1972 El Camino Real Medal
1972 Flight of the Nez Percé Medal
1972 Flying Cloud Medal
1972 Mountain Men Medal
1972 Oklahoma Land Rush Medal
1972 Palace Hotel Medal
1972 Oil Boom Medal
1972 Overland Trail Medal
1972 Plains Buffalo Medal
1972 San Francisco Earthquake Medal
1972 Wild Bill Hickok Medal
1972 Winter 1866 Medal

America’s Natural Legacy Series: (Struck by Metal Arts for Longines-Wittnauer, species selected & series sponsored by Sierra Club; modeled by Marcel Jovine & Joseph Di Lorenzo)
1972 American Plains Bison Medal
1972 American Bald Eagle Medal
1972 American Coyote Medal
1972 Bighorn Sheep Medal
1972 Green Turtle Medal
1972 Humpback Whale Medal
1972 Peregrine Falcon Medal
1972 Trumpeter Swan Medal
1972 Wild Mustang Medal

Acts of Congress Series:
19xx Jefferson Inaugural Medal
19xx Homestead Act Medal
19xx Suffragettes Medal
19xx Day of Infamy Medal

Lindbergh (Charles) 50th Anniversary Series: (Issued by International Silver)
1977 Lindbergh First Non Stop Atlantic Pilot Keystone Medal
1977 Lindbergh The Aviation Pioneer Medal
1977 Lindbergh The Explorer Medal
1977 Lindbergh The Conservationist Medal
1977 Lindbergh The Scientist Medal
1977 Lindbergh The War Time Test Pilot Medal
1977 Lindbergh The Visionary Medal Pasadena Centennial Medals:
1974 Huntington Library Medal
1974 Tournament of Roses Medal
1974 Rose Bowl Medal Palm Springs Golden Anniversary Series: (Issued by Westshore Financial Corporation)
1987 Palm Springs 50th Anniversary In the Palm of God’s Hands Medal (obv & rev by Marcel Jovine)
1987 Palm Springs 50th Anniversary The Pioneers Medal (obv designed by Olaf Wieghorst, modeled & rev by Marcel Jovine)
1987 Palm Springs 50th Anniversary Contemporary Face of the City Medal (obv designed by Anthony John Gray, modeled & rev by Marcel Jovine)
1987 Palm Springs 50th Anniversary Our Indian Heritage Medal (obv designed by R.C. Gorman, modeled & rev by Marcel Jovine)
1987 Palm Springs 50th Anniversary Leisure Time Medal (obv designed by Leroy Neiman, modeled & rev by Marcel Jovine)
1987 Palm Springs 50th Anniversary Vision of the Future Medal (obv designed byYaacov)

Winchester Western Series: (Uniface medals for mounting in gunstocks)
1974 Winchester Western Comanche Medal
1975 Winchester Western Little Big Horn Centennial Medal
1976 Winchester-Western American Bicentennial
1976 Winchester-Western Indian and Settler Fighting Medal
1976 Winchester Western Cheyenne Medal
1977 Winchester Western Horse and Rider Medal
1977 Winchester Western Famous Lawman Medal
1977 Winchester Western Cherokee Indian Medal
1977 Winchester Western Elk and Moose Medal
1978 Winchester Legendary Frontier Man Medal
1978 Winchester Western Bat Masterson Medal (1˝" (38.1 mm) nickel-silver)

Rockwell Society Calendar Series:
1979 Rockwell Society Calendar Medal
1980 Rockwell Society Calendar Medal

United Nations FAO Calendar Medal Series:
1980 FAO Calendar Medallion (theme: food security assistance scheme; obv by Jovine, rev by G. Tesi; probably struck by M. Bertoni, Milan)

Zodiac Series:
1984 Aries Medal
1984 Taurus Medal
1984 Gemini Medal
1984 Cancer Medal
1984 Leo Medal
1984 Virgo Medal
1984 Libra Medal
1984 Scorpio Medal
1984 Sagittarius Medal
1984 Capricorn Medal
1984 Aquarius Medal
1984 Pisces Medal

Miscellaneous Medals:
1964 Closter New Jersey Tercentenary Medal (by Jovine & Joseph Di Lorenzo)
1972 Hoover (J. Edgar) Medal (struck by Metal Arts for Longines-Wittnauer Precious Metals Guild)
1974 Ford (Henry) Dedication Medal
1974 Kentucky Derby 100th Anniversary Medal (struck by Metal Arts for Longines-Wittnauer)
1975 American Security Council Medal
1975 U.S./Russian Apollo-Soyuz Space Medal
1975 U.S./Russian Apollo-Soyuz Space Medal (Uniface for PNC issued by Unicover)
1976 American Freedom Train Medal
1976 NewYork Stock Exchange American Bicentennial Calendar Medal (obv by Jovine, rev by Augustus Luckman)
1978 Clairol Hair Fashion Medal
1980 Lake Placid XIII Winter Olympic Medal
1980 Lexington Kentucky Horse Park Medal
1980 Lodi Borough New Jersey Building Committee 86th Anniversary Medal
1980 McDonnell-Douglas Underwater Test Facility Medal
1981 International Violin Competition Medal
1982 Grand Central Art Gallery 60th Anniversary Medal
1983 American Numismatic Society 125th Anniversary Plaquette (struck by Stefano Johnson, Milan)
1987 American Eagle Medal