FRANK KATEN, 1903-2001

"Frank Katen passed away last Sunday afternoon, just hours before family and a few close friends were to gather for his birthday party. He was 98. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in Frank's name to the American Lung Association of Maryland, 14435 Cherry Lane Ct., Laurel, MD 20707. "

"Frank Katen was a man of few words and deep convictions. He will forever have a place in the history of Numismatic Bibliomania, for he was the first major dealer in the U.S. (at least since W. Elliot Woodward) to make a specialty of selling books about coins. He remains the only literature dealer to have conducted an ANA sale, and the only one to have attempted a "guide book" of literature prices (published in early editions of the Coin World Almanacs). Frank was the cataloguer of the Fuld collection, the first American blockbuster sale of literature, and also dispersed the greatest cache of 19th century catalogues, the Wylie Hoard. And he did all of this after having waited until middle age to become a professional numismatist. Frank Katen was the pathfinder of American Numismatic Bibliomania."

"I believe the "guide book" of literature prices first appeared in copies of Coin World before the Coin World Almanac was first printed. George Kolbe also handled an ANA sale but it was only literature, not coins. Frank did most first and handled more great material than most of us will ever see in our entire lives. I wish his wife well. Frank was always a gentleman to me and a dealer who tried to be fair to all of his clients. NBS will miss him. I know I will."

"Katen was a prominent general coin dealer before he specialized in literature. I believe that in 1948, when he conducted the ANA sale, he would still have been considered a general coin dealer. Back then some coin dealers sold books just as Bowers and Stacks sell books today.

As I was going through a collection of back issues of Coin World, I saved the annual book editions. In the center was a listing of books, with prices, provided by Katen. I think this was in the 1970's"

"The Numismatic world has suffered yet another great loss! With the passing of Frank J. Katen the Numismatic Literature field has lost its Moses. I have known Frank for over twenty- five years and it has been an honor and a privilege to be his friend. There are so many great stories to think back on, I would not know where to begin!

The story that comes to mind first, is when Frank drove his Red Cadillac to the 1992 ANA Convention in Orlando Florida to receive his 50 year gold membership medal. After the convention Frank and Laurese drove to Port St. Lucie to visit Sherry and I at our bookstore. Frank loved that Cadillac, but it broke down two miles from my store! I picked them both up and took them to a repair shop, the caddy was towed in and Frank and Laurese spent the day at the bookstore with us! I do not think there was a single book in the entire shop he did not pick up and look at!!

He was a great supporter of people's ventures. During that visit I made a deal with Frank and purchased all remaining stock from big February 1992 fixed price list, over 3500 books!!! I always enjoyed getting one of Franks auction catalogues, you never knew what little treasure was waiting for you within those pages. To Frank I would say but one thing, THANK YOU! The entire Numismatic Literature world says, THANK YOU! "

Wayne Homren, Editor

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The E-Sylum: Volume 4, Number 5, January 28, 2001, Article 2

FRANK KATEN, 1903-2001

Wayne Homren, Editor