The E-Sylum:  Volume 11, Number 3, January 20, 2008, Article 8

MORE NOTES ON RETIRING ANS LIBRARIAN FRANK CAMPBELL

David F. Fanning writes: "I've known of Frank Campbell's
pending retirement for some time, but it is still sad to
see the official announcement. Frank has been a tremendous
asset to the American Numismatic Society, and I have always
found him a pleasure to work with. Some numismatists tend
to criticize the ANS for appearing to focus all their
attention on the relatively few with serious money. As
someone who does not fall into the moneyed camp, I can
say that Frank single-handedly dispelled any notion I
might have that this was the case.

"I frequently e-mailed him about ANS Library holdings for
use in my research, and he was always prompt and courteous
in his responses and would photocopy what I needed and pop
it in the mail at no charge. While I am an ANS member, I
did appreciate his willingness to help me out when many
would have seen me as simply pestering him for free
information. He will be missed."

Dan Hamelberg writes: "The ANS library really took form
under Frank's watch.  50 years at it. Unbelievable.  Those
familiar with the vast resources contained in the library
of the ANS know that it has been Frank's stewardship along
the way that brought the library to prominence. During the
first 50 years of the ANS, the great numismatic literature
was maintained by some of the more involved members of the
ANS.  Since the ANS really had no permanent home until
Broadway and 155th, the library started a serious climb
to significance during the next 50 years.  During the last
50 years, the library has seen tremendous growth and
refinement.  Thank you, Frank.

"Personally, Frank has been most helpful in assisting me
with refining my own library of U.S. numismatic literature.
More recently, he was instrumental in the discovery of the
Watkins broadside sale of 1828 within the confines of the
ANS library; the first numismatic auction sale listed in
Attinelli. When I had the idea of creating facsimile copies
of the sale and making them available to collectors, Frank
was most helpful in making the Watkins broadside available
to me.  The complete story of the Watkins sale will appear
soon in the Asylum, and the facsimile of the broadside
will soon be available to collectors."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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