SELECTIONS FROM THE SKLOW LITERATURE SALE #21

301. Gouge, William M. A SHORT HISTORY OF PAPER-MONEY AND BANKING IN THE UNITED STATES. INCLUDING AN ACCOUNT OF PROVINCIAL AND CONTINENTAL PAPER-MONEY. TO WHICH IS PREFIXED. AN INQUIRY INTO THE PRINCIPLES OF THE SYSTEM, WITH CONSIDERATION OF ITS EFFECTS ON MORALS AND HAPPINESS. New-York: Published by B. & S. Collins. 1835 second edition. 42pp., 64pp. 8vo. tan cloth covers with the ornate plate of Nelson T. Thorson on front, original paper covers are bound in, spine label - Paper Money - Gouge 1835.

A most interesting work; basically in two parts as the title details; important for content on state banks being organized; also of interest is the fact that a second edition is not mentioned in Davis, or Clain-Stefanelli; this example is ex: libris of Nelson T. Thorson [past President of the ANA] with his ornate bookplate on front pastedown and ex: libris the Philamatic Center of Boys Town Nebraska with their bookplate below Thorson's and their stamp on the front endpaper, check out sheet on back pastedown; no library markings on internal pages; some foxing throughout; a scarce item, with a great pedigree; Clain-Stefanelli 13482 [1840 edition] Davis 442 [first edition]; Ex: Library [but nice]. (150.00)

1045. Daycius Galleries, Martin Nathaniel. ANNOUNCE: A PUBLIC AUCTION SALE - BOOKS AND CATALOGS ON COINS & SUNDRY ITEMS. Fort Worth, Texas. On Wednesday the First of April [1992] at 1204 Magnolia. Fort Worth, Texas 10:30 AM Sharp. 1 sheet 8.5 x 11 inches. Original duplicated typescript on pale blue paper. Once folded horizontally and with staple marks at top and bottom, mounted and matted in black.

The obverse of the flyer bears the title and address above, with the following text below - "Many 100's of lots, recently discovered, From a long deceased dealer. Old coin books. Many old catalogs in beautiful leathers, though a number marked up with prices and various names. Nice photos in a number. Lots of old records and invoices also. Several box lots of old coin envelopes, letters and so on. Large pile of old coin scales, a few going back to the 1820's. "TERMS OF SALE: CASH ONLY ALL ITEMS MUST BE PAID FOR AND REMOVED AT END OF THE SALE. M. N. Daycius, Auctioneer, Carrollton, Texas."

The flyer was folded, hand addressed in ink, with postage stamp affixed; this example being mounted, the mailing side is not visible, BUT, you can determine the name that is handwritten using a magnifying glass, it reads REMY BOURNE; the flyer was sent out by "unknown" person or persons;

An article appeared in The E-Sylum April 7, 2002 Vol. 5. #15 [as there was no E-Sylum in 1992] an excerpt of the editor's comments are offered here [with permission];

"A number of U.S. bibliophiles received a flyer postmarked Ft. Worth, TX, advertising an upcoming event run by an auctioneer named Martin Nathaniel Daycius. The auction consisted of an extensive numismatic literature library with items printed as early as 1820.

The address of the auction turned out to be of the B. Max Mehl building in Ft. Worth. Mehl's coin business was shut down decades ago, but to an expectant bibliophile, his library, if kept intact, could be a bonanza. Could it have been in storage all these years?

In every great con, the mark has to WANT to believe. And the flyer found a number of believers, some of whom went as far as booking flights to Texas prior to the sale date, Wednesday, April 1st. I checked my schedule and prices for flights too, but putting money down was too much of a leap of faith. Setting out to confirm the auction, I was frustrated by the lack of a contact phone number on the flyer (which you would think would be a big clue...)

There was no auctioneer named Daycius in the phone book. Ever resourceful, and knowing that auctioneers are generally licensed by the state, I called the licensing office and was told they had no record of the gentleman. 'But if he's holding an auction, we want to know about it. He'll be hearing from us.' Hmmm, clue number two.

Still undeterred, a few more phone calls and lots of southern hospitality later, I found myself talking to a clerk in a shoe store across the street from the Mehl Building. No luck. 'Oh, no,' she said, 'that place has been boarded up for years.' Clue the third?

I knew something was fishy, but it didn't dawn on me until later that evening. Sitting in night class I mentally pronounced the signature at the bottom of the flyer: M.N. Daycius. Men Daycius. Mendacious!......" -Editor {Wayne Homren};

This example is defect free and a great piece of numismatic literature lore; probably one of greatest numismatic April Fool's Day pranks ever executed; to this day no one has come forward to claim responsibility, BUT, many bibliophiles have their own idea of who sent the flyers! Fine+ (100.00)

David Sklow-Fine Numismatic Books
P.O. Box 6321
Colorado Springs, CO 80934
PH: 719-302-5686
FAX: 719-302-4933
Email: numismaticbooks@aol.com
Web Site: FineNumismaticBooks.com

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If you would like to be considered for this position please contact Q. David Bowers by mail or by email with your resumé, samples of your past writing (on numismatics or other subjects), and salary requirements: Mail to the attention of Q. David Bowers, PO Box 1804, Wolfeboro, NH 03894. Email to: Ckarstedt@stacksbowers.com