Small is beautiful -- especially if you would like to build a museum quality collection and are on a budget. Many museums build the context for works of art and historic legacies with related coins, stamps and certificates. One of the best places in America to see them and select good matches for your own collection is the Long Beach Coin and Stamp Expo, taking place today and Saturday at the Long Beach Convention Center.
Many stamps and coins were designed by distinguished artists. Japan and Italy have colorful images of artist designed stamps you can browse online using Bing images. A coveted stamp for serious collectors is Italy’s 600 lire stamp commemorating the Rome meeting of the International Stamp Collectors Society. Luc Luycx, an artist from Belgium, won the international competition to design the imprint used to make Euro coins.
Several dozen exhibitors at the Long Beach Coin and Stamp Expo also sell historic paper money, engraved certificates and ceremonial art as apart of their exhibits. This can be a good way to fill a hard to find gap in a themed collection. For example, collectors of Spanish art have few choices to collect art from the Spanish Civil War period since most artists were either in battle or in exile. There are, however, striking color designs on banknotes issued by the Bank of Spain in the style called “Futurism” printed during this period.
If you head south to Long Beach to take advantage of this special event, you may want to spend the evening at South Coast Plaza for another special event. The Jewel Court at South Coast Plaza is hosting a free special exhibition of “Art and Performing Arts of Monaco.” This special exhibition will spotlight Princess Grace’s classical fine arts training and her own achievements as a ballet performer and patron. Details are at this link.
Comments