Regarding the Kennedy-Pope satire item discussed last week, a reader writes:

Tony Terranova of New York City writes:

Another reader writes:

Dick Johnson writes:

Dennis Tucker of Whitman Publishing writes:

In September 2014, Whitman Publishing introduced The Kennedy World in Medallic Art: John F. Kennedy and His Family in Medals, Coins, Tokens, and Other Collectibles, by William R. Rice. Riceis respected as a well-renowned Kennedy historian and his text shines a light on the more personal aspects of the life of President John F. Kennedy and his family. While President Kennedy is widelyconsidered one of the most beloved presidents of the United States, he also managed to strike a nerve among some American Protestants given that he was the first Roman Catholic president. In TheKennedy World in Medallic Art, Rice highlights one of the controversial medals that the enigmatic entrepreneur Robert Bashlow crafted to possibly capitalize on the anti-Catholic sentiment of thetime.

Robert Bashlow was known as a rather eccentric figure who financed many interesting and sometimes obscure projects. His endeavors in numismatic publishing are well established as he was close tocoin historian Walter Breen. Rice describes that Mr. Bashlow possessed a wide range of interests, as he was also known for his published works which focused on the Vietnam War, music, and sexuality.Bashlow also had a rather tumultuous personal life and he was eventually evicted from his New York Riverside Drive apartment for fighting with his landlord and failing to make rent payments on time.Unfortunately, in July 1979, the New York Times reported that Mr. Bashlow was one of 80 people who perished in a fire at the Coronade Aragon Five Star Hotel in Zaragoza, Spain. The fire started as aresult of a pastry machine exploding in the kitchen.

One of the legacies that Bashlow left behind was a Kennedy medal that is thought by Rice to be a practical joke, given his colorful history. Bashlow's 32 millimeter satirical John F. Kennedy medalwas struck in London, England, by the John Pinches Ltd. Co. and is available in bronze, silver, and gold mintages - the latter of which is reported to be held in the Smithsonian Museum. While themedal was produced in 1961 and sold by the Robert Bashlow Co. Inc. in New York City, its date reads 1963 on the obverse. Rice elucidates that the reason for this is because the common thought of thetime was that by the end of Kennedy's first term, the Catholic Church would be in total control of American politics.

While the satirical anti-John F. Kennedy medal certainly pushes boundaries, it is still a piece of history that symbolizes the turbulence of early-1960s America. The medal boasts a personality ofwry wit and satire befitting its creator, Robert Bashlow, who will perhaps always be remembered as one of the most infamous numismatic entrepreneurs in American history.

To read the complete article, see:
Bashlow's satirical anti-Kennedy medal highlighted in The Kennedy World inMedallic Art (http://news.coinupdate.com/bashlows-satirical-anti-kennedy-medal-highlighted-in-the-kennedy-world-in-medallic-art/)

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
NEW BOOK: THE KENNEDY WORLD IN MEDALLIC ART (http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v17n37a07.html)
NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: AUGUST 27, 2017 : Bashlow Kennedy Pope Satire Medal (http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n35a23.html)