Under Australian Decimal Circulating Coins, there is a thread No SD? with pics of a 2c piece. I asked, what's No SD? AJ informed me that it's in regards to Stuart's initials on coin. I said "ah, one of the greatest gold and silversmiths in the world and that I collected his work. AJ wasn't aware of Stuarts other work and not sure of how many others do either, so I thought I would write a little on our home grown genius for those who don't know.
Stuart was born in Geelong in 1931 and became an art teacher specializing in gold and silversmithing. In 1957 he studied for a Diploma of arts in gold and silversmithing at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. In 1958 he got a scholarship to study at Royal College of Art in London and was awarded a Harkness Fellowship by the Commonwealth Fund, He spent the two-year fellowship at Columbia University, United States. Stuart returned to Melbourne and became an inspector of art schools. As most of us know Stuart designed the reverse from the 1c through to the dollar coin by winning a design competition in 1964 for our decimal currency in 1966. Stuart has also designed coins for 36 other countries and also for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
In 1965 he moved to London to open his own workshop and that's where he marked the beginning of Devlin's own style, which often took the form of limited editions, the most popular being Easter eggs and Christmas boxes, now collectors' items. He also designed jewellery, furniture, and commissioned pieces of all types and even instruments for keyhole surgery. I think still the highest price paid for a commissioned piece is a silver candelabrum centrepiece that sold for $82,000 in 2007.
In 1982, Devlin was granted the Royal Warrant of Appointment as Goldsmith and Jeweller to Her Majesty the Queen.
Stuart has won so many awards and has achieved so much in his life that I could type another 5 pages, and his AUSTRALIAN, what a legend.
He was interviewed by a journalist and this is how it went,,
He's a charming man with a sharp sense of humour.
When I interviewed him in 1988 he told me that a lot of people who meet him ask if they can have a free sample of his work. He says yes, then hands them a one- or two-cent coin. He keeps a selection in his pockets for that purpose. He gave me one too, telling me it's one of only 238,999,000 minted in 1966.
"Keep it, it'll be worth something one day," he said.
Some of Stuart Devlins other creations (aside from coin designs) are these "surprise eggs". Quite a few have springs inside allowing some of the creatures to move. For example the four 'n' twenty blackbirds jiggle as they bake in their pie! And the kangaroos joey jiggles about. They are all silver and some gilt with some enamelling. I love them and have quite a collection. Can you identify the other two famous poems from the middle image?
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/devlin-egg-group-1.jpg)
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/devlin-egg-group-2.jpg)
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/devlin-egg-group-3.jpg)
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/hare-in-box.JPG)
:laugh2: I love the last paragraph, and appreciate the write up P27 but the only thing I'd correct you on is that he only did the obverse for the coin and not the hole coin as Arnold Machin did the first obverse portrait for 66, Raphael Maklout second portrait type and Ian Rank-Broadley did the third type but very well done and yet again I learnt something new so thank you very much and 10/10 :good:
I am impressed. Had heard of some of his other work but never realised how fantastic it is.
Cool thanks PP, another beautiful collection but you've been holding out as this should have come out ages ago when I asked about what else others collect, and not really sure sorry but humpty is in the middle :)
Tom,Tom,the pipers son,,Humpty Dumpty and got me on the third one.
ah is it 4 and 20 my little blackbird :)
Quote from: 'ausjack' pid='56934' dateline='1407925283':laugh2: I love the last paragraph, and appreciate the write up P27 but the only thing I'd correct you on is that he only did the obverse for the coin and not the hole coin as Arnold Machin did the first obverse portrait for 66, Raphael Maklout second portrait type and Ian Rank-Broadley did the third type but very well done and yet again I learnt something new so thank you very much and 10/10 :good:
I realise he didn't design both sides, but its the reverse Stuart designed.
All good mate just in case people didn't know and thought he did it all but credit to him for doing so much and they have served a long time and by the look will keep going for a few years yet as it's the monarch that will change so he's pretty smart that his design keeps going where as the others get replaced every so often. Wish I had as much talent that his got in his little fingrenail.
Good work on your nursery rhymes!!
Styles Silver (http://www.styles-silver.co.uk/acatalog/Stuart_Devlin.html) is where my first egg came from.
AJ -don't forget the Gottwald portrait.
Quote from: 'purplepennyhunter' pid='56990' dateline='1407969675'Good work on your nursery rhymes!!
Styles Silver (http://www.styles-silver.co.uk/acatalog/Stuart_Devlin.html) is where my first egg came from.
AJ -don't forget the Gottwald portrait.
Thats where I got my first piece from George, a Bristol 600 Goblet.
Sorry I should have PP, please forgive me :beg: Mate thanks you for the link, just exquisite craftsmanship with such fine detail so I could easily get into it but a bit dear for my pocket but very very nice :)