Welcome to The E-Sylum: Volume 6, Number 38, September 22, 2003:
an electronic publication of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.
Copyright (c) 2003, The Numismatic Bibliomania Society.


BACK IN BUSINESS

  This issue is a day late due to a problem which allowed
  incoming email but not outgoing, leaving me in an editorial
  comatose state.  All seems back to normal now.  Several of
  you wrote to inquire about your issue, and it's nice to know
  we're missed.   No one has been accidentally dropped, nor
  has a hurricane flattened the E-Sylum War Room or cut the
  power.  All is well.  Thanks for your concern and patience.
  -Editor]


NUMISMATIC WORDS ADDED TO OXFORD DICTIONARY

  Col. Bill Murray writes: "Perhaps NBS members and readers
  of The E-Sylum might be interested in knowing two new, well
  relatively new, numismatic words made it into the fifth edition
  of the Oxford English Dictionary.  Exonumia (but not exonomist),
  and scripophily (but not syngrapics nor lignadenarist).  We
  need to promote our hobby more, it appears.

  Keep up the good work, Wayne.  The E-Sylum continues to
  inform and titlliate.  Also, congratulations to all the newly elected
  and re-elected NBS Board members.  Thanks for serving."


UPCOMING KOLBE SALES

  From the Press Release: "George Frederick Kolbe/Fine
  Numismatic Books will conduct their 92nd auction sale of
  rare and important numismatic literature on Thursday,
  November 13, 2003. The sale features 1635 lots covering
  a wide range of numismatic topics.  Featured is the interesting
  and notable library of a "Sage Old Roman," selections from
  The Money Tree archives, and material from over fifty other
  consignors.  The firm's next sale will not be held until June 1,
  2004 when, in association with Stack's, George Frederick
  Kolbe will conduct the first public auction of the superb
  American numismatic library formed with dedication and
  great care by John J. Ford, Jr. over many years.

  A few November 13th sale highlights follow: a collection of
  175 bound Sotheby auction sale catalogues, 1830-1900,
  assembled by the renowned British coin collector Henry Platt
  Hall; an 1879 catalogue of Berlin coin dealer Adolph Weyl
  containing the previously unreported, earliest European
  appearance of an 1804 silver dollar at auction; many early
  Yeoman "Red Books," including a complete set; an unbound
  set of "The Numismatist," 1894-2002; classic works on
  ancient Greek and Roman coins; a complete set of B. Max
  Mehl auction sale catalogues, also very fine deluxe
  leatherbound copies of the Dunham and Morse, Faelton &
  Todd sales; an important selection of works on Napoleonic
  and other medals; legal documents and correspondence
  pertaining to the Roy E. Naftzger, Jr. versus American
  Numismatic Society litigation concerning the Clapp/Sheldon
  large cent controversy; important Walter Breen
  correspondence; rare works on Serbian numismatics;
  important antiquarian numismatic books dating from 1557;
  an original copy of Miles" "The Numismatic History of Rayy,"
  along with many other important works on foreign coins and
  medals; the paper money archives of Dr. John A. Muscalus;
  etc.

  The sale may be viewed at www.numislit.com. Copies of the
  printed catalogue are available for $15.00.

  The firm has already started work on the public auction sale
  of the John J. Ford, Jr. Library. To be held in association with
  Stack's, this landmark sale will take place on Tuesday, June 1,
  2004...  Periodic reports about the many rare and interesting
  things that will be in the sale will appear in the E-sylum, weekly
  electronic newsletter of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.
  Those interested in subscribing, free of charge, are invited to
  visit the society's web site: www.coinbooks.org.  Regular
  updates will also be posted on the firm's web site:
  www.numislit.com.

  [Many thanks for George for keeping us up to date and for
  promoting NBS and The E-Sylum via his press release.
  The first of his Ford Library updates follows.  -Editor]


KOLBE FORD LIBRARY UPDATE

  George Kolbe writes: "This past week, cataloguing began
  on the John J. Ford, Jr. Library. Slowly. Delightful surprises
  abound.   Among items catalogued from several cartons
  randomly unpacked are the following:

  F. C. C. Boyd's deluxe leatherbound 1941 Dunham sale
  catalogue, the finest example we recall ever having encountered.

  Three leatherbound volumes of Bureau of Engraving and
  Printing vignettes, any one of which would be the finest,
  condition-wise, compared to any previously encountered.
  Two are official productions, issued circa 1876, each with
  nearly 150 superb engravings. The third is a monumental
  volume, containing over 200 BEP engravings assembled
  privately by Joseph K. Edgerton,who served in Congress
  from 1863 to 1865 and presumably obtained them as
  perquisites of office.

  Several unique Chapman brothers bid books. Among them:
  Colin E. King with plates; Boeing-Bridgman with plates; and
  McCoye with a handwritten note stating that "The plates for
  this catalogue proved failures and were not issued but were all
  destroyed."

  S. H. Chapman's priced and named Stickney sale catalogue
  with superb plates no doubt handpicked by the photographer,
  i.e., S. H. himself.

  A fine example in the original printed card covers, with plates,
  of the 1914 Foster Lardner sale of large cents, along with a
  flyer promoting Lardner's skills as a magician and lecturer, and
  a superb photograph of Lardner.

  S. H. Chapman?s plated, priced and named 1915 Granberg
  Sale, perhaps the finest of the four or five plated examples
  that have come to market in the past quarter century.

  A superb example of the 1925 W. W. C. Wilson sale with
  the full complement of plates. Ex F. C. C. Boyd and perhaps
  Henry Chapman, whose lengthy invoice for the sale - including
  $15.00 for a plated copy of the catalogue - is included. Also
  catalogued were priced and named copies of the second and
  third Wilson sales.

  David Proskey's 1885 bid book of the Thian sale of Confederate
  paper money.

  Quite a start. Will future reports be as exciting?  I do not know.
  Stay tuned."


LAKE BOOKS PRL AVAILABLE

  Fred Lake of Lake Books writes: "The prices realized list for
  our sale #70 which closed on September 16, 2003 is now
  available for viewing on our web site at:
  http://www.lakebooks.com/archive.html

  When you reach that web page please click on the year 2003
  (or scroll down) and you will see the two options for opening
  the PRL (either PDF format or Word format).

  Many thanks to our bidders and please note that our next
  sale will be held on November 18, 2003 and features
  selections from the library of the late Stuart Hodge plus Part
  Two of the Dr. William Hopkins library."


GUTTAG BROTHERS COIN BULLETIN SOUGHT

  Gregg Silvis writes: "I'm trying to track down an item for
  research-related purposes:  I'm looking for the August,
  1928 issue of the Guttag Brothers Coin Bulletin.  The
  ANA Library has only the June, 1928 issue, which is
  volume 6, number 4.  The ANS Library has only 1928
  volume 6, number 1.  Any information on the whereabouts
  of a copy of the August issue would be greatly appreciated.
  I can be contacted at gregg at udel.edu.  Thanks!"


SWEDISH EURO HOLDOUT

  Bob Lyall reminds us that "Not only the Swedes but
  a majority of the British population do not want to join
  the Euro and throw away independence of financial
  control."

  Bill Swoger writes: "A note about another "holdout":
  Great Britain didn't accept the "new" calendar until
  1752.  Therefore, 1752 was the shortest year in
  U.S. history."


NUMISMATIC PLAGIARISM

  Allan Davisson writes: "Another plagiarism note: Much
  of the material in the Bell books on tokens ("Conders")
  was taken, without acknowledgment, from Saumuel's
  series of articles in The Bazaar Exchange and Mart published
  from 1880-1889."


THE HISTORY DETECTIVES

  Len Augsburger writes: "I did see an episode of "History's
  Mysteries" while channel surfing.  On the show I watched, a
  family in the deep south who owned a house wanted to check
  out some oral history which indicated a black man had owned
  the same home in the 19th century.  They wondered how that
  could have been.  The show visited 3 or 4 cities, and traced
  the individual in question, a free black as it turned out.  They
  were able to come up with some detail of the man's
  successful business, his family, and verified the story.  The used
  local professors and all the other usual historical resources (city
  directories, census data, state and local archives and historical
  societies, etc.)."

  Gar Travis writes: "A much better "view" than Antiques Road
  Show - the history sleuth's tell the truth to would be keepers
  of history - was the pocket watch a gift from Mark Twain -
  No!... and I enjoyed seeing the sleuth share the truth with the
  watch's keeper.

  We could use them on the newly "discovered" first dollar.
  My bet is that it is a later restrike like the 1804's - but for a
  collector later in the 19th century."


CALICO ENGLISH TRANSLATION ASSISTANCE OFFERED

  Alan Luedeking writes: "Regarding Mr. Hulse's request
  concerning availability of a translation to English of the
  Calicó-Trigo catalogue "Monedas Españolas desde Felipe IV
  a Isabel II - 1621 a 1868" , I am not aware of any such
  translation, however, I'd be pleased to help him translate
  anything he wants to/from Spanish/English, providing it's not
  the whole book!  What puzzles me though, is Mr. Hulse's
  asking specifically about the third edition (1979) of this work:
  each subsequent edition expanded this excellent reference a
  little further, both forwards and backwards in time, to where
  the current (9th) edition now covers the whole enchilada
  from Ferdinand & Isabella to 1998 in one large volume.
  Why that old edition Mr Hulse??"


1909 PHOTO UPDATE

  Regarding the request for help identifying people appearing in
  the 1909 American Numismatic Association photo, David
  Sklow, ANA Historian adds: "Mrs. Zerbe's name was Bessie,
  that was Farran's first wife -- he married her in 1908 and
  married Gertrude in 1932.  Mrs. Waldo Moore's name was
  Imogene."

  Karl Moulton  writes: "In response to additional names for the
  1909 ANA photograph, here are a few:

  Number 1 is Paul Napoleon Breton, who earlier that day had
  tried to disrupt the business meeting.

  Number 2 is Judge William A  Ashbrook, who was elected to
  the board of governors.

  Number 3, the taller gentleman with the gray hair is most likely
  William Forrester Dunham, also elected to the board that year.

  Number 4 may be J. de Lagerberg, board member.

  Number 5 may be M. Belanger or M. Tessier.

  Number 6, the older gentleman with the gray beard may be one
  of the names  mentioned in number 5.  One of the other two
  may be Mr. Mousseau or Mr. Richards,  both were newspaper
  reporters covering the convention.  One of these reporters is
  standing in front of the two ladies in the back row on the far right
  side.   The third reporter, of "La Patrie", a French daily, was Mr.
  Edmond Chasse and his young wife of a few weeks.  They are
  in the back row to the left of  Ben Green.

  Number 7 possibly Henry Chapman's wife, as she is sitting next
  to Henry in  the "official" convention photograph described below.

  This photograph is just one of several taken at the convention.
  As it was taken on a separate outing early in the proceedings on
  Tuesday August 10, I  doubt that it is the official convention
  photograph, even though it is the one published in the September/
  October issue of The Numismatist, p. 259.  A more believable
  "official" convention photograph was taken on Thursday, August
  12 in front of the Cartier Normal School and was published in
  Mehl's Numismatic Monthly, September 1909, p. 131."


PAPER MONEY LONGEVITY QUESTION

  David Fanning forwarded this question from Lisa Mao,
  Segment Producer, Indigo Films: "I had contacted you in
  the spring regarding Ft. Knox when we were producing a
  show on the gold depository.

  Currently I am doing research on paper money and am looking
  for an expert who can talk about its "shelf life".  Do numismatists
  deal only with coins or do they also take an interest in paper
  money?  I am interested in contacting someone who can tell me
  how long paper currency can last, and under what conditions?
  For example, if money is buried in the ground for 50 years, will
  it still be intact or will it have disintegrated?

  Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to your
  response."

  [Does anyone have some answers?  We'll forward them to
   Ms. Mao.  Meanwhile, anyone wishing to experiment is
   invited to deposit any sum of paper money in a hole I'll dig
   in my back yard, free of charge.  -Editor]


HANDLING HEAVY BOOKS

  Regarding our earlier Topic of the Week, Bob Fritsch
  writes: "I did not see many replies to this particular topic.
  Q. David Bowers' book on the S.S. Central America
  Treasure certainly needs special handling to prevent personal
  injury.  Several years ago I acquired a music stand from a
  music store that was going out of business.  Not one of those
  flimsy fold-up things, but a good heavy chunk of bent metal.
  Some call it a Concert Stand.  It is not only handy as a
  portable lectern, but is great to hold the Standard Catalog of
  World Coins (for example) beside my work table while
  cataloging those collections.  It has held the aforementioned
  SS CA book while I comfortably recline on the couch happily
  absorbing the material.  I paid about $30 for mine but imagine
  the price has gone up as it has for everything else."


REVERSIBLE BANKNOTE SPECIMENS

  In response to my query about Rene Laflamme's "reversible
  banknotes,"  Alan Roy writes: "I had bid on one at a Jeffrey
  Hoare Auction in 1997.  It was a $1 note that went for $21
  Canadian plus 10% commission.  There is a picture in the
  catalog if anybody is interested in a scan."


HAITIAN AUCTIONS

  Alan Luedeking writes: "Regarding Bob Merchant's query
  regarding Haitian coinage sales in E-Sylum v6#36, the 1998
  Spink sale in question is the Spink America (New York) sale
  of 1 December 1998.  It is indeed an important sale for Haiti.
  I can also recommend the Mangones Collection Sale by
  Harmer Rooke, New York, 8 April 1976, as one of the most
  important sales ever for Haiti.  Two other good sales are
  Spink London #87, 9 October 1991, important for Emilio
  Ortiz's West Indies material, which included some good Haiti,
  and Adolph Weyl's Auction Sale No. 80 (Berlin) of 4-6
  January 1887, containing "...Eine Nahezu Komplette
  Sammlung der Insel Haïti."


TOO MANY BOOKS?  NEVER!

  In response to a recent note on the Colonial Numismatics
  email group declaring that "One can only have so many books
  in one's library...",  Dan Friedus replied: "I keep trying to find
  the upper limit but have not discovered it yet.  My bookshelves
  are long since full but somehow there's always another corner
  into which I can cram a book."

  Ray Williams added: "I know what you mean about the size
  of libraries.  Attached is a picture of Diane's china cabinets
  (2 of three - the third is also filled with books).  Did I marry
  well, or what!!!   If there were a contest for "Numismatist's
  Wife of the Year..."


WORD FUN

  [Not numismatic, but E-Sylum readers include quite a
  few word mavens, so I thought I'd pass this along.
  -Editor]

  David Cassell writes: "Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at
  Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the
  ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist
  and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae.  The rset can be a total
  mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is
  bcuseae the huamn mnid deos nt raed ervey lteter by istlef,
  but the wrod as a wlohe."


FEATURED WEB PAGE

  This week's featured web page was mentioned on the
  Colonial Numismatics email list by E-Sylum subscriber Ray
  Turcotte. It's a page that is devoted to coin maker Abel
  Buell and it includes good images of his counterstamp.

     http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~silversmiths/16/12130.htm



  Wayne Homren
  Numismatic Bibliomania Society