Welcome to The E-Sylum: Volume 4, Number 26, June 24, 2001: 
an electronic publication of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society. 
Copyright (c) 2001, The Numismatic Bibliomania Society. 
  

SUBSCRIBER UPDATES 

   We have seven  new subscribers this week:  Arnie Margolis, 
   courtesy of Susan Nulty,  NBS Secretary-Treasurer Dave Hirt, 
   Rich Hartzog, Kirk Davis, Chuck Smith, Douglas Bennett, and 
   Dave Kellogg.   Welcome aboard!   One person unsubscribed. 
   Our subscriber count is now 406. 
  

NEW SUBSCRIBER PROFILES 

   Some of this week's new subscribers were referred to 
   The E-Sylum by L.D.Mitchell in his announcement of the 
   termination of NumLit mailing list.  Larry is an NBS 
   Board member who maintained the mailing list, which 
   is being shut down by the service provider's new owner. 

   Chuck Smith is from Montgomery Village, Maryland, 
   and reports his interests in numismatic literature as 
   follows: "Ancient, medieval and modern issues linked 
   with the territories of modern Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia 
   and Herzegovina, Serbia, FYRO Macedonia and Albania." 

   Dave Kellogg writes: "My interests are in ancient numismatics 
   and the references to them, including antiquarian books. 
   I look forward to learning more about the newsletter and 
   the website." 
  

OVERSEAS BALLOTS 

   NBS member Darryl Atchison of County Cork, Ireland writes: 
   "A few brief comments regarding the latest E-Sylum which I 
   found to be as interesting as ever. 

   First of all, it never ceases to amaze me the diversity of material 
   that is covered.  Mint Engravers, Comic Strips, Mark Twain, 
   etc. all in one publication.  I am sure all the other subscribers 
   appreciate your efforts and look forward to Monday mornings 
   now as a result. 

   Secondly, I have a concern regarding the upcoming election. 
   Given that the ballots were only mailed on last Thursday (June 
   14th) and have to be back by July 10th - this only leaves about 
   a three and a half week turn around for overseas voters.  This 
   is not enough time to guarantee that our votes would be 
   received and counted. 

   I realize that overseas and international members may only 
   make up a small proportion of the overall membership (10% 
   - and probably less) but we are as entitled as any other paying 
   member to cast our ballot.  This is not a problem that is unique 
   to the NBS.  I remember receiving my ballot for the Canadian 
   Numismatic Association's election two years ago with about 
   two days to go until the ballots had to be received by the 
   counters.  As a result,  I did not get the chance to vote.  This 
   was a very important vote which had serious implications on 
   the future direction of that association.   As it turned out, it did 
   not matter that my votes were not cast as all of the candidates 
   (or at least the majority of them) that I supported won their 
   positions." 

   In response to this concern, the NBS Board has opted to 
   delay the deadline for international ballots by fifteen days. 
   Domestic ballots must still arrive by July 10th. 
  

LAKE BOOKS LATEST SALE 

   Fred Lake of Lake Books reports: "Our 59th mail-bid sale of 
   numismatic literature is now available for viewing on our web 
   site at the following address: 
   http://www.lakebooks.com/current.html 

   The sale has a closing date of July 31, 2001 and contains Part 
   Two of the Dr. R. J. Hubartt library. There are 660 lots in the 
   24-page catalog. 

   Dr. Hubartt has been involved in numismatics for over forty 
   years and his interests covered many areas from Ancient 
   coinage to Early American coppers and later series.  Spanish 
   and Latin American coinages were a specialty of his and there 
   are works listed here that are relatively scarce and quite 
   important. 

   All facets of the numismatic experience are to be found, 
   including tokens and medals, paper money, U. S. and foreign 
   auction catalogs, treasure books, and other subjects." 
  

DONATION AUCTION 

   We had a lot of fun and raised some funds for NBS with 
   an auction of donated numismatic literature at last year's 
   general meeting at the ANA convention in Philadelphia. 
   We'd like to try it again this year in Atlanta.  The society 
   is solvent, but these auctions help boost our rainy day 
   fund. 

   If you have items you'd like to donate, please bring them 
   to the meeting a few minutes early.  If you cannot attend the 
   meeting, contact me or one of the NBS Board members 
   to make arrangements to ship the items to us. 
  

BOOK CONSERVATORS 

   Steve Pradier writes: "In the June 17th issue of the E-Sylum 
   some one needed at book binder.  Please refer them to The 
   Heckman Bindery at http://www.boundtoplease.com. 
   They have an 800 number: 800-334-3628. They do excellent 
   work and have very reasonable pricing. 

   I have used them on several occasions. They do work for large 
   Universities, the Library of Congress and other libraries 
   throughout the U. S." 

   Brad Karoleff writes: "I have had good luck using The Ohio 
   Bookstore in Cincinnati on Main Street for my conservation 
   projects, as well as leather bindings.  I use Jim Fallon Jr. in 
   the binding department.  I could supply the phone if needed. " 

   Bob Knepper writes: "In "The E-Sylum", Vol 4 #25 for June 
   17,  Paul Di Marzio asked about book repair and binding. 
   If he doesn't find a reasonably priced professional, he should 
   consider doing it himself.  I could not find a reasonable binder 
   or a class - so I read a book on the subject, practiced on one 
   "throw-away" book, and then did my own.  Although a book 
   press would be nice, I used only the C-clamps and other tools 
   I had in my garage.  Required about two hours per book 
   spread over several days.   I wouldn't try this on a valuable 
   book - but I'm happy with my results on ten books.  Details 
   available." 

   He adds: "If someone worries about being crushed by movable 
   bookshelves, they could take along a small chair or stool." 

   Allan Davisson writes: "Re restoration (rather than replacement 
   of a binding): Campbell-Logan Bindery in Minneapolis does 
   excellent restoration work on old bindings. (They also do 
   excellent work on standard library bindings and limited edition 
   artistic book bindings, for example, George Kolbe's recent 
   publication of ILLUSTRIUM IMAGINES.) 

   I have some highly important works in my library -- Coates' 
   own large paper copy of Burns on Scottish coins is a prime 
   example--that I have had restored maintaining the original 
   binding. Campbell-Logan's work is not cheap in either price 
   or quality.  But I have never regretted the investments I have 
   made in their binding work.   I have seen, and own examples 
   of, the work of other binders, both American and European. 
   Campbell-Logan's work is better than most and the equal of 
   any." 

   Joe Boling writes: "I have used Alan Grace to rebind several 
   books. He did Armand Champa's library. The most recent 
   address I have is: Alan Grace, 1201 Overstreet Lane, 
   Lagrange, KY  40031-9504,  502-222-5554.   I have no 
   idea if he is still there; it's been several years since I sent him 
   any work. He does exceptional work at above-average prices." 
  

CATALOGUE FOUND 

   Dick Hanscom writes: "I have had several replies to the request 
   to borrow the Smith catalogue of the Dr. Edward Maris sale. 
   I am happy to report that I have borrowed a catalogue and will 
   be returning it shortly. 

   My thanks to Mr. Richard Crosby for the kindness he has shown 
   in allowing me to borrow this catalogue.  Also R.W. Julian, Peter 
   Irion, and Mr. George Fuld for their offers of assistance, either 
   with scans or loans of the catalogue." 
  

AVIAN EXPERIENCE 

   Michael Sullivan writes: "Walking in the door of my abode last 
   week after work, I was quickly taken aback by the black soot 
   strewn through the house and a golden lab that could pass as 
   a chocolate.  Had the dog gone digging in the fire place?  At 
   ten years of age, I doubted this was the case as she even 
   abides by the "four on the floor rule" at dinner.  Further 
   investigation revealed a bird had fallen through the chimney as 
   evidenced by "the mess", but I couldn't find the bird.  While 
   checking e-mail in the library, I heard a noise, then the bird 
   emerged from behind a shelf of 19th century numismatic books. 
   Turns out this dove was of the literary type and elected to hide 
   behind a nice collection of books for the day.  Is this the year of 
   the bird?" 
  

HARTZOG EXONOMIA E-ZINE 

   John and Nancy Wilson write: "Dear E-sylum readers: We just 
   received an e-mail containing Volume One, Number One of an 
   e-mail from Richard Hartzog from Rockford, IL.   Rich is a 
   well known dealer in Tokens and Medals.  After going over 
   the site we think it is an excellent location to find information 
   regarding exonumia and or tokens and medals.   Many, many 
   dealers and organizations are listed.  We think the site is a 
   good place to visit if you collect tokens and medals 

      http://www.exonumia.com/art/v1n1.htm 
  

ON MOVIE MONEY 

   Alan Luedeking writes: "Regarding movie money, I'm sure 
   I'm not the only one who observed the little detail in the 1997 
   movie Titanic-- after the kid finished drawing the beautiful 
   naked girl she handed him a dime for his efforts-- a Barber 
   dime!  My friends have universally derided me for noticing 
   this item when at that moment there was something far more 
   appealing to see (the delectable Kate Winslet), however I 
   appreciated the little numismatic touch of period authenticity. 

   Later on, as the passengers were attempting to leave, one of 
   them waves a fistful of cash which looked like large-size 
   currency--- but this was most probably stage money.  One 
   little temporal incongruity did bother me though --- one of the 
   engine room panning shots featured a light green DC generator 
   that appeared to be vintage late 1940's or early 1950's! Oh 
   well, it's just a movie!" 
  

QUIZ ANSWER:  MYSTERY MINT EMPLOYEE 

   What employee of the San Francisco Mint gained 
   fame as an author?:  The answer is Bret Harte (1836-1902). 
   Harte was born in Albany, NY.  His father died in 1845. 
   His mother remarried and  moved to California in 1853. In 
   1854 Bret and his sister Margaret made the journey west to 
   join their mother.  He held many jobs to support himself, 
   working as a miner, school teacher, express messenger, 
   printer, and journalist.  About 1864 he was appointed 
   Secretary of  the U.S. Mint, a position he held until 1870. 
   His first love was writing, however - especially poetry. 

   During his time at the mint he published a number of 
   important works.  In 1866 he wrote a volume entitled 
   "Outcroppings of California Verse,"   In 1867 "The Lost 
   Galleon" appeared; in 1869 "The Heathen Chinee," and in 
   1870 "The Luck of Roaring Camp". 

   In 1871 he moved back east to Boston and continued his 
   literary career.  He signed a contract with The Atlantic 
   Monthly for $10,000 for 12 stories a year, the highest figure 
   offered an American writer up to that time. 

   In 1878 he began a new career as a diplomat, with an 
   appointment as United States consul in Germany.  He served 
   in various European posts and died in London in 1902. 

   Congratulations to John Burns, who came up with the 
   answer unassisted during a telephone conversation. Pete 
   Smith and Joel Orosz came up with the correct answer when 
   the question was posed by email to NBS Board members. 

   The first (and only!) E-Sylum reader to respond correctly was 
   Ron Guth,  who added: "Here are two omitted lines from his 
   first meeting with Mark Twain.  "His head was striking. He had 
   the curly hair, the aquiline nose, and even the aquiline eye -an 
   eye so eagle-like that a second lid would not have surprised \ 
   me - of an unusual and dominant nature." 

   The following web pages have more background information: 

      http://www.underthesun.cc/Classics/Harte/ 
      http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/18661913/lit/harte.htm 
      http://www.traverse.com/people/dot/harte_anxiety.html 

   Hoping that more about Harte's time at the mint may be 
   waiting to be found in "Selected Letters of Bret Harte", a 
   book edited by Gary Scharnhorst (University of Oklahoma 
   Press), I looked up the author and emailed him a question. 
   His reply:  "I'm also a coin collector--I wish I had a more 
   detailed answer to your questions.  None of Bret Harte's 
   letters I've ever seen mention his work at the SF Mint in any 
   detail. (The joke went around that Harte was paid $250 a 
   month for signing his name twice a day there.)  His job was 
   largely a sinecure, it seems." 
  

FEATURED WEB PAGES 

   The second San Francisco Mint building, "The Granite Lady" 
   which survived the 1906 earthquake, was begun in 1870 and 
   put into operation in 1874.  So Harte's office was in the first 
   Mint building, opened in 1854 on Commercial street,  between 
   Montgomery and Kearny.   An historic plaque marks the site 
   at 608-610 Commercial Street. 

   This week's featured web pages relate to Harte's mint 
   building.  The first is an early view of the first mint building; 
   the second is the site as it looks today. 

   http://www.sf50.com/sf/hpann93.jpg 
   http://www.sonic.net/~laird/landmarks/counties/San_Francisco.html 
  

  Wayne Homren 
  Numismatic Bibliomania Society