THE HELFENSTEIN LARGE CENT SALE COVER PHOTO

I Found The One That Got Away

When I was a boy of around 12, I came across an old auction catalog of large cents. Specifically, it was the Louis Helfenstein Collection of Large Cents, sold by Lester Merkin in 1964. The cover photo stopped me in my tracks. See below for that image.

His large cent collection was out of this world in terms of quality. I purchased the catalog and that was that.

Then, sometime later, I was lucky enough to win a scholarship to attend the ANA Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs. And there, in the darkened bowels of the ANA museum there was a large, back-lighted image of this famous (in the numismatic world, anyway) photo above a display of large cents. I don't remember the coins in the display, but when I saw that image "floating" in a darkened room it was a near religious experience for me.

Fast forward to the mid-1990's.

The eminent numismatic book dealer Mr. Charles Davis had a stack of maybe 25 or 50 of these images at a coin show in Boston. They were poster size, in full color -- just beautifully done. Exactly what I was looking for. Wow! My dream had finally come true.

So I obviously went right over there and purchased one. Right?

Wrong-o.

He had a whole pile of them, and I was very busy at that show. Besides, I didn't want to put that fragile photograph behind my table and then carry it home for fear that I might damage that precious cargo. So I told myself I'll buy a copy at the next show when I'm better prepared to handle this fragile, awkward item.

So right at the start of the next show on the circuit I ran up to Charlie's table and told him to put one aside for me.

He said: Sorry. They are sold out.

Wha...?

All gone? So quickly? He had a big pile of them about 3 weeks before!

Long story short -- I have spent the next 21 years looking for one of those damn posters.

And wouldn't you know it? At this Spring's Early American Coppers show in Philly, Charlie Davis once again had a (very small) stack of them. This time I bought one right away.

Now I can die a happy man.

As an epilogue to this story, later in that show a good friend and customer said - "I've got a present for you." And sure enough -- he had bought another one for me at the same show, not knowing I already bought one. I thanked him profusely, of course. (I had told everyone who would listen during those 21 years my tale of woe and of "the one that got away". Remarkably enough -- he remembered. My stories must be more memorable than I thought).

So I went from no posters, to 2 posters. I've since given one away to a family who is collecting high end early copper in a big way. Hopefully they will enjoy the image as much as I know I will.

Photographic print, 20x24" taken directly from the original transparency of the classic image, a cropped version of which was used on the front cover of the August 14, 1964 auction sale conducted by Lester Merkin who also commissioned 5 in the 20x24" size. The present print is one of 100 made in 1996 from the original transparency and is superior in all respects those done by Merkin. being less cropped and with colors more vibrant. For the full story and a illustration of the 1964 print, see lot 409 of the November 17, 1994 Armand Champa Library sale (Bowers & Merena). Sold unframed and shipped in large tube with perfect delivery guaranteed.

For more information, or to order, see: Merkin: Color Photograph, 20x24", of the Louis Helfenstein Collection of Large Cents (https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/charles_davis/44/
product/merkin_color_photograph_20x24_of_the_louis_helfenstein
_collection_of_large_cents/106784/Default.aspx)

To read the complete article, see:
Making the Grade #36: Authenticating Coins vs. Modern Art; Plus - The One That Got Away (http://www.davewcoins.com/newsletter/making-the-grade-36-authenticating-coins-vs-modern-art-plus-the-one-that-got-away)

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