Daniel Fearon

It has been a privilege to have been involved in the preparation and cataloguing of Michael Hall's splendid, esoteric and vast collection for the auctioneers Baldwin's.  I first met Michael when I was living in New York in 1969 and even back then, when I first saw the collection, it was impressive.  By then his life in the Movies was behind him - he will be remembered for playing the son of Frederic March and Myrna Loy in "The Best Years of Our Lives".  Like George III, Michael collected medals of “Illustrious Persons” and his collection provides a rich array of portraits. Medals always featured in displays of sculpture at his gallery in New York and over the years he has been generous with his time and with the sharing his knowledge.  Likewise he has been generous with his dealings with museums the length and breadth of America.
The sale, held on the 4th May, was an amazing success, selling for nearly £440,000 [hammer price] with only, when the dust had settled, three unsold lots and a total that was a percentage point or two from the high estimate.  Part II, less extensive than Part I, will be coming up soon and will include Papal and French Medal and certain others.  Again I will be delighted to accept commissions.