NEW BOOK: IDENTIFICATION OF 2X2 ENVELOPES

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V15 2012 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 15, Number 23, June 3, 2012, Article 5

Here's a new book that bibliophiles and researchers could go bananas for; it's a very obscure niche subject, but extremely important for understanding and tracing the pedigrees of coins. Only a handful of researchers to date have been versed in this arcane subject, but now it's accessible to all. Dave Bowers wrote about it in his Joys of Collecting column in the June 11 issue of Coin World. -Editor

Today, niche specialties are as strong as ever. One of the most obscure, yet interesting, of such came to my attention recently when I received in the mail a nice book, color-illustrated and on fine paper, The Copper Collectors Guide to Identification of 2x2 Envelopes, by Ralph Rucker with the assistance of Del Bland (long-time copper cent specialist).

Many of you remember the small paper envelopes with the flap, measuring 2 inches by 2 inches, that were the standard of the hobby in the 20th century. They are still seen now in some instances, but they are increasingly rare.

Go back to a coin show 30 years ago and cases would be filled with paper envelopes with coins sitting on top. Today a case can be filled side to side with plastic slabs without a piece of paper in sight.

Ralph spent 147 pages illustrating paper envelopes used over the years by different collectors and dealers. Most of these bear hand-written inscriptions, but others are typed.

The study begins with John W. Adams, whose superb collection of 1794 cents was sold by my firm Bowers and Ruddy Galleries back in 1982. Since then, John has been a fine friend. His envelopes on yellow stock are carefully hand lettered.

Those of Willard C. Blaisdell, a collector from New Jersey who was a familiar at conventions in the 1950s and 1960s, feature a general description on the top line, Sheldon attribution (Early American Cents and later, Penny Whimsy by William H. Sheldon), grade and a pedigree.

Walter Breen wrote in pencil on his envelopes, information about the variety, die state, and rarity.

These paper envelopes themselves have little monetary value to anyone other than a copper cent specialist. But, how interesting they are to contemplate! I personally knew or still know the vast majority of the envelope writers.

Perhaps researchers in other areas could expand our knowledge by publishing similar books featuring the envelopes of collectors of other specialties. The article didn't state ordering details for the book. Can anyone fill us in? -Editor