Welcome to The E-Sylum: Volume 7, Number 06, February 8, 2004:
an electronic publication of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.
Copyright (c) 2004, The Numismatic Bibliomania Society.


PRUSMACK MEMORIAL TRIBUTE

Nancy Wilson writes: "Dear Numismatic Friends:
Bob Hurst, John and myself attended the Memorial Tribute
lunch for Tim Prusmack yesterday at the Gator Trace Country
Club. Both Bob and John spoke in regards to Tim and his
hobby contributions, and how he affected our lives. Tim's
sister Nancy Tenure Prusmack handled the Memorial Tribute
to Tim. Nancy also brought several things that Tim had
produced, old photos of Tim and other memorabilia that was
set up on a table. Dr. Armand Prusmack and Florence
Prusmack gave moving memorial tributes to their son.
Nancy Tenure Prusmack also gave a moving testimonial to
her brother Tim.

Several other close friends representing some of the coin
clubs Tim belonged to also gave memorial tributes to Tim.
Several members from his local home coin club the Treasure
Coast Coin Club in Fort Pierce, FL., (he was President of
the TCCC for several terms) spoke and gave special tribute
to a good friend and excellent coin club member.

Representatives from the American Numismatic Association,
Florida United Numismatists, Inc., Ocala Coin Club, Fractional
Currency Collectors Board and Society of Paper Money were
also present at this Tribute to a great Money Masterpiece artist.
A close coin dealer friend in Fort Pierce, a comic dealer friend,
who gave a moving talk about how Tim also collected Monster
and other comic books. He said that Tim became known as
the Monster Man when he came into the comic book store.
Several others also spoke in tribute to Tim. It was a solemn
yet beautiful tribute to a friendly and personable person Tim
Prusmack. Tim affected many people during his short life.

The Memorial Tribute to Tim gave all his friends and
associates a chance to say a few words in regards to Tim,
a friendly and giving numismatist, share thoughts with other
folks who attended, and give their condolences to the
Prusmack family. We think the family left with a feeling that
many, many people loved Tim in a lot of different ways. It
was a very nice tribute to a good person and friend.

We talked to Professor Prusmack who said that they will
probably continue to sell the remainder of Tim's stock. We
told the Professor that the Master was gone but his
Masterpieces would be with us forever. His last work was
the Lazy Deuce series. We were honored that he used our
Wisconsin Lazy Deuce to reproduce this beautiful work in
close proximity to the actual $2 National Bank Note. He
was taken away from us before he could do his next series
on State Quarter Fractional Notes. He was going to include
his Florida Quarter design which was a finalist. Go to his
website: www.money-art.com http://www.money-art.com 
for information on Tim, the many tributes to him, and examples 
of his great art work.

A nice memorial story on Tim Prusmack can be found at the
link below which is an online newspaper in Fort Pierce, FL.
When you get to the online newspaper site in the upper right
hand corner is a Search area. In this search site put in the
name Tim Prusmack. You can then hit the links pertaining to
Tim Prusmack.
http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/tribune/

Rest in Peace Tim, your good friends John and Nancy Wilson,
Ocala, FL."

[The direct link to the article is

Direct link to article

-Editor]


TOKENS IN DENMARK VOL. 2 PUBLISHED

Jørgen Sømod writes: "Vol. 2 of my work Poletter & Pengetegn
i Danmark (Tokens in Denmark), which includes the time 1900-
1924 and also the tokens from Southjutland, which was under
Germany until 1920, is now ready for print and will be published
May 24, 2004. There are no valuations, but around 1000
pictures of the tokens. Size A4 = Legal 8½ x 11, 222 pages,
hardbound. The price is Danish kroner 420,- postpaid all over
the world.

numis at vip.cybercity.dk
http://www.cam.org/~anfc/p_somod.htm
See also http://www.gladsaxegymnasium.dk/2/litts.htm"


THREE CENT NICKEL BOOK PUBLISHED

Allan Gifford of Three Cent Nickel Numismatics writes: "We
have a brand new book dedicated exclusively to U.S. Three
Cent Nickels that is now available for sale. It is a 500 page
hard-bound book with over 2,175 images. Proofs, Non-Proof
Business Strikes, Repunched Date, Misplaced Date & Die/Hub
Doubled Varieties are all included."

From the press release: "Each & every proof working die
variety & major die state is individually listed. Every significant
business strike working die variety is also individually listed in
addition to each & every business strike working die variety
and major die state for the lower production years of; 1879,
1880, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1887, 1888 & 1889.

189 Repunched Date, Misplaced Date & Doubled Die & Hub
varieties are individually listed including 91 new discoveries.
Patterns & Rotated Die varieties are also included in addition
to the attribution of all Master Hubs and Master Dies.

$175.00 (Plus $19.95 for insured shipping & handling.
Plus Missouri State Sales Tax if applicable.
AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM:

THREE CENT NICKEL NUMISMATICS
1732 RUDELLE DRIVE
FLORISSANT, MO 63031
(314) 831-8898"


ARTICLE: THE TRIME

Another U.S. three-cent coin, the silver three cent piece
or "trime" was discussed recently in a publication of the
Cleveland branch of the Federal Reserve. Written by
Michael F. Bryan, the article provides and interesting
history of the coin from an economic perspective.

http://www.bartleby.com/61/69/C0746900.html


JOHN J. FORD LIBRARY SALE UPDATE

George Kolbe writes: "To date we have catalogued slightly
under 800 lots, with estimates thus far totaling $800,000
or so. The June 1, 2004 public auction sale will probably
include about one thousand lots. Several prospective
attendees have inquired about the schedule for the June 1,
2004 public auction. The sale will be an all day affair,
probably featuring 1,000 lots, starting around 9:30 AM
and ending around 6:30 PM, or possibly later.

Additional Ford Sale Highlights:

The Bid Book of Wayte Raymond's Rare 1917
A. N. A. Sale

The Bid Book of the Extremely Rare Fourth and Final
W. W. C. Wilson Sale

Henry Chapman's Bid Book of the Final W. W. C. Wilson Sale

Two 1853 California Gold Rush Letters, one reading in part:
"Enclosed I send you a Gold 1/4 Dollar'", another: "'get all
the 16¢ pieces and the French one franc pieces, and send them
out here and I can get 25¢ for all"

Apparently a Proof or Sample impression of Levick's 1869
Plate of 1793 Cents, Inscribed

A. M. Hart's 1851 History of the Issues of Paper-Money in
the American Colonies, Complete With the Large Folding
Historical Chart

A Superb 1869 American Bank Note Company Sample
Book, with Text in Several Languages

Ed Frossard's Own Set of His First 150 Auction Sales,
Leatherbound in 15 Volumes, virtually all Handpriced with
Plates, Including Several Unrecorded Catalogues

One of the most remarkable items thus catalogued is a four
volume compilation by Francis Worchester Doughty. In it,
Doughty illustrates via rubbings his work on New York
Tradesman's tokens which appeared in 1885-1886 issues
of the Coin Collector's Journal. Important alone for the
well-executed rubbings of the tokens in his collection, also
included are "thousands of illustrations of various kinds,
including engraved views and maps, early photographic
views, halftone, engraved, lithographic, and other illustrations
of tokens, etc.; along with a bewildering variety of
printed and other ephemera, including newspaper articles
and advertisements, documents, correspondence, flyers,
etc." Among these are many wonderful examples of
Numismatica Americana relating to 19th century coin
dealers and collectors who were involved in issuing tokens.
Present are many photographs of these famous early American
numismatists, rare printed ephemera issued by them, and on
and on. One of the most delightful items, quoting Doughty, is
a remarkable silhouette of the father of the American coin
trade, "Edward Cogan; cut at a Numismatic dinner given at
Coney Island about 1860. From Mr. Geo. B. Mason, to
whom Mr. Cogan presented it."

Two very fine original 1876 editions of Attinelli's
"Numisgraphics," one being J. N. T. Levick's interleaved
and annotated copy

A complete eleven volume set of the American Numismatic
Society Library Dictionary Catalogue, including all three
supplements

Seventeen bound volumes of Glendining Coin and War
Medal Catalogues, 1908-1925

Barry Goldwater's 1979 Memoirs inscribed "To my
neighbor the Bomp" (a family nickname for John Ford)

An Original Manuscript of Dr. Thomas Hall's Coins of
Connecticut belonging to W. W. Hays

A remarkable manuscript by Edgar H. Adams on Varieties
of Early U. S. Gold, including a Supplement of Private Gold
Coinages of California, all photographically-illustrated

A complete very fine set of the American Journal of
Numismatics, uniformly bound

The Private Letter Copy Book of C. G. Memminger,
Secretary of the Treasury of the Confederate States of
America, covering his activities, many of great numismatic
interest, from appointment until the outbreak of war

An 1861 Abraham Lincoln letter, signed

Lyman Low's Extensively Annotated & Extra-Illustrated
Interleaved Copy of his 1899 work on Hard Times Tokens

A superb example of the rare 1904 promotional volume
issued by the Birmingham Mint

F. C. C. Boyd's personal annotated copy of Valentine's
1925 Fractional Currency work

The "Nineteenth" Edition of Wayte Raymond's Standard
Catalogue, the original manuscript by Walter Breen

Breen's Specialized Catalogue of U. S. Coins, including
Colonials, an original 1953-1957 typescript, extensively
annotated

Original Plate Paste-Ups for several New Netherlands'
Sales, including the 1952 A. N. A. Sale "


OTHER UPCOMING FORD SALES?

Steve Pellegrini writes: "Brad Karoleff's offer of client
representation at the Kolbe-Ford Library Sale is a very
welcome one. By now most E-Sylum readers know that
the upcoming Kolbe sale is technically Part 2 of the sale
of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. It will also be the first
opportunity to bid on books from the 'virtually unimprovable'
Ford Numismatic Library. My question now is, What's next?

I seem to remember reading that the disposition of the
entire collection is going to be spread over the next few
years. With most of the auctions being held in the US and
one or two of the later ones perhaps being held in Europe.
Does any of the readership know if this, broadly speaking,
is going to be the plan? And just as importantly, does
anyone yet know what category or type of material is being
planned for inclusion in each of the auctions?

If we get any answers to these questions I hope there will
be room to include it in next week's E-Sylum."

[The next item give us a peek at the next Ford sale,
but does not address the overall plan. -Editor]


GREAT DEBATE REDUX

Mike Hodder writes: "Following up on John Kleeberg's
cri de coeur in last week's issue, I might mention that John
Ford's collection of private and territorial gold coins and
gold ingots will be sold in Stack's upcoming May auction
in New York City. Included are USAOG pieces, other
coins, and gold bars made by western assayers like Blake
& Co., Harris, Marchand & Co., and others. As with the
first Ford catalogue, this next one will also include essays
by John that deserve wider appreciation."

[Stop reaching for the dictionary. A "cri de coeur" is
"An impassioned outcry, as of entreaty or protest."
http://www.bartleby.com/61/69/C0746900.html
-Editor]


1893 AND 1907 SCRIP PROJECT UPDATE

Tom Sheehan writes: "I would like to publicly thank you and
the entire E-Sylum staff for the mention re research into this
scrip. It brought several responses including one from Dick
Doty at the Smithsonian. I stopped there on the way from
the FUN show in Orlando on the way to the New York
International. Spent the better part of the day recording
many specimens that I had not known about before. My
thanks to Dick for taking the time to help out. When the
time comes our national museum and Mr. Doty will receive
thanks again.

I will have to get back to the East Coast to work in another
museum where unfortunately I have to record each item by
hand since photocopies are not allowed. Perhaps some time
this summer."

[The E-Sylum staff consists of me, myself and I. Guess
which one of us is in the running for Employee of the Month?
Anyway, we're glad to assist this important project, and again
and encourage anyone with information about this series of
notes to contact Tom. -Editor]


NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF NUMISMATICS

We recently discussed the new England Journal of
Numismatics and the refund checks subscribers received
following the parent firm's bankruptcy. As coincidence
would have it, I just came across one of the mailings in
my ephemera files. It is from the firm of Brown, Rudnick,
Freed & Gesmer of Boston, MA and postmarked Jan 9,
1990: "United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of
Massachusetts / In re: Standard Financial Management Corp.,
d/b/a New England Rare Coin Galleries."


S.S. REPUBLIC SALVAGE UPDATE

David Lange writes: "This project truly is a big one. NCS
is expanding rapidly to accommodate the handling of so many
coins.

The only downside in this is that I'm losing my office to the
expansion. For the second time in a year I have to relocate
NGC's Research Room. While the last move was to a bigger
space, this week's move is to a much smaller one. I'll likely
have to put some of my books and catalogs in storage, at
least until conservation of the Republic treasure is completed.

Such is the price of success."


BRITISH NORTH AMERICAN COLONIES

Following up on our "United Statesians" topic, Ron
Thompson writes: "I actually think the correct term should
be "the British North American Colonies," but why be picky?"


DREWING DETAILS SOUGHT

Philip Mernick writes: "The January 18 E-Sylum edition
mentioned a review by Russell Rulau of the book on
Nuremberg Counters by Benjamin Fauver. It quoted a list
of authors whose work this might replace. I know all of them
except for Drewing. Can someone tell me the name of the
Drewing publication?"


DELLQUEST "RED BOOK"

Neil Shafer writes: "Have a question for The E-Sylum: I
have a "red book" but it dates from 1935! Actually what
it is is a small hardbound piece called "Burt's United
States Coin Book" by Augustus Wilfrid Dellquest, published
in Chicago by A.L. Burt Company. 71 pages, red binding
(so it really IS a Red Book). It lists many US coins with
premium values. Does anyone know about this publication?
I never saw it before, but that in itself is not surprising.
Thanks for any help on this- kind regards. "


BY GEORGE, SOMEBODY'S GOT IT!

The January 12, 2003 issue of The E-Sylum (v6, n2)
included the following item:

Wheres's George

We've profiled the "Where's George" web site before.
The site allows people to register the serial numbers of
U.S. currency passing thru their hands. This week, I
received in change a note that had been overstamped
with the Where's George URL and other slogans. So
I registered the note and shoved it back in my wallet.
For those who care, it's a 1999 series $1 note, serial
number K40586052D. I wonder where it'll turn up
next? See Where's George for more
information.

This week I received the following report via email:
"Your 1999 One dollar bill with serial number K4058---2D
has just been re-entered into Where's George?

Here is a link you can use to see the tracking report:

Where's George"

The report follows:
"One Dollar Bill, Serial# K4058---2D Series: 1999
This bill has traveled 594 Miles in 1 Yr, 33 Days, 12 Hrs,
34 Mins at an average of 1.5 Miles per day.
It was reported on Feb-04-04 at 11:17 PM in Cullman, AL"

Heaven only knows where the bill traveled between Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania and Cullman, Alabama.


MILITARY HISTORY SOURCE

David Menchell writes: "In my quest to acquire reference
material for my Coinage of the Americas conference (COAC)
research, I've come across some additional interesting sources
of historical material that I thought readers of the E-Sylum
might find interesting. First, there are a series of monographs
published by Osprey Publishing (www.ospreypublishing.com)
dealing with military history. While the series includes books
describing events occurring during ancient and medieval
times, most of the books deal with events of the 17th and
18th centuries, including American Colonial engagements
(Ticonderoga, Louisbourg, Boston, Saratoga, etc.), as well
as descriptions of the various troops (French, British,
American) deployed throughout the Colonial period. Another
neat reference is a collection of documents meant to
accompany a textbook of American history, "Selected
Historical Documents to Accompany America's History" by
Carlton et al. The cost is nominal (it cost me $7 + shipping via
Amazon.com) and this monograph can stand alone as a nice
compilation of interesting items, ranging from an excerpt from
Columbus' journals to a Dutch letter confirming the purchase
of Manhattan Island to Thomas Jefferson's First Inaugural
Address. Many important Colonial events are represented; in
addition, individuals researching the early industrialization of the
U.S., slavery, Indian relations, and economic issues will find
relevant material. It would probably require a bit of work
searching through a variety of sources to find the material
included in this one volume. The publisher also mentions a
website meant as a study guide for the text
(www.bedfordstmartins.com/history/henretta). I haven't
explored this as yet, but the description mentions the inclusion
of additional documents, maps, photographs, and links to
other history sources."


PETER ROSA FOLLOW UP

Gene Anderson writes: "John Kleeberg's expanded information
on Peter Rosa was very informative. I plan to locate his article
in the Colonial Newsletter. A couple of things mentioned by Mr.
Kleeberg regarding Rosa's uniface copies are significantly
different when it comes to the 1804 Becker large cent pieces
that I have.

First, the diameter of the obverse and reverse match a genuine
cent. Second, both obverse and reverse appear to be made
of only copper. For those who have not seen Superior's Michael
Arconti catalog, I have copied the catalog description of lot 57
below. Bob Grellman wrote the description for Superior.

1804 S-266c Becker Counterfeit of Obverse and Reverse EF40.
High quality struck uniface copies of the obverse of the late die
state, each marked on the plain back with "BECKER". The
"BECKER" stamp on the obverse is incuse while the one on
the reverse is in raised letters. These marks are carefully
positioned so they fit into each other when the two sides align
exactly like a genuine 1804 cent. These are not the thin
electrotype "shells" used to encase a base metal core to create
an electrotype copy, but are struck pieces slightly more than
half the normal thickness of a genuine cent. Together they weigh
220.7 grains, which is well above the 168-grain standard of
that year. Apparently made from transfer dies, the original
example grading VF30 or better. These two copies are very
slightly worn, and the only marks are some faint hairline scratches
on the face of Ms Liberty. Glossy dark chocolate brown with
lighter brown highpoints. An extremely rare pair from this
"master counterfeiter." Two pieces in this lot, one obverse and
one reverse. Ex Bill Anton-Michael Arconti."


COLONIAL NEWSLETTER FOUNDATION INTEREST GROUPS

James C. Spilman writes: "On April 16, 2001 the Colonial
Newsletter Foundation, Inc. (CNLF) established the first
"electronic Special Interest Group" (eSIG) with the objective
of conducting an iterative Research and in-depth Study
dedicated to "Counterfeit British Halfpence Believed to Have
Circulated in America." It was an experiment in using digital
Information Technology (IT) as a mechanism for numismatic
research by sharing digital images of coins in member's
collections and discussing these images among themselves.

This first CNLF/eSIG in just under three years has made
astonishing progress. Far more so than could have been
accomplished in a conventional study situation. In this short
time almost 30 stylistic "Families" of coinage have been
identified with each indicating a common source or diesinker.
It appears that many more exist and that continued iterative
Research and Study will identify them. Die interlock plates
are being constructed with excellent images gleaned from a
multitude of cooperating collectors. This new approach
appears destined for unimagined ultimate success under the
direction of two very talented co-Moderators.

Because of this success, CNLF has decided to establish a
considerable number of additional eSIGs dedicated to each
of the major categories of Early American coinages, and the
printed Currencies as well. Included are two supporting
eSIGs devoted to the ancillary functions of History and
Technology associated with the study of Early American
numismatics. An experienced and well recognized
Numismatist has agreed to champion each eSIG and to serve
as eSIG Moderator.

Each eSIG is a fully functional Internet website based on the
Yahoo eGroup Service and supported by CNLF.ORG
which will, later, provide comprehensive FTP file storage
facilities for the eSIGs.

We anticipate that the discussion level will be of an advanced
nature in most cases, but newcomers to our Early American
numismatic hobby are always welcome. Participants must
agree to share digital images from their collections and to post
their real names on the Yahoo Profile page; all other entries
in the Profile are optional. All eSIGs are private and are not
listed in the Yahoo index - membership is by invitation or
application, only, and are under the control of each Moderator.

The eSIGs, their Moderators and their Internet URLs are as
shown below:

(1) ColNewsLetFndn (original CNLF eGroup & includes
CNLF-1 and CNLF-2) (Closed eSIG) Byron Weston
& Clem Schettino co-Moderators)

(2) Blacksmith Tokens
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JCSpilman
Blacksmith Tokens

(3) Connecticut Coppers
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Rock
Connecticut Coppers

(4) Constellatio Nova
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tony Carlotto
Constellatio Nova

(5) Continental Dollars
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Hodder
Continental Dollars

(6) Fugio Cents Of 1787
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Palmer
Fugio Cents Of 1787
(7) Higley Coppers
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . Dan Freidus
Higley Coppers

(8) Machin's (Atlee) Halfpence
. . . . . . . . .. . . . Gary Trudgen
Machin's (Atlee) Halfpence

(9) Massachusetts Copper
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Packard
Massachusetts Copper

(10) Massachusetts Silver
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Hodder
Massachusetts Silver

(11) New Jersey Coppers (including St.Pats.)
. . . . . . . Ray Williams
New Jersey Coppers

(12) Vermont Coppers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . Tony
Carlotto
Vermont Coppers

(13) Virginia Halfpence of 1773. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Roger Moore

Virginia Halfpence of 1773

(14) First U.S. Mint. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JCSpilman
First U.S. Mint

(15) Early American Numismatic History (CNLF-EANH)
. . . .Mike Hodder
Early American Numismatic History

(16) Early American Tokens & Minor Coinages (CNLF-EATMC) 
........John Kleeberg
Early American Tokens & Minor Coinages

(17) Early American Printed Currency (CNLF-EAPC)
. . . . . Lou Jordan
Early American Printed Currency

(18) Science & Technology (CNLF-SCITECH)
. . . . . . . . Mike Hodder
Science & Technology

If you would like to join one or more of these CNLF/eSIGS
just click on the appropriate URL and when you reach the eSIG,
read the introductory material and click on "Join this Group".
The Moderator will contact you by eMail. Thank you. "


BOVINE BANKING

Not numismatic, but amusing nevertheless, is a this February 6
report from Reuters on an incident in northern Germany:

"A Friesian cow took a detour from a wedding where she
was meant to be a guest of honor, wandering into a German
bank where she was caught on security cameras sidling up
to the tellers.

Top German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on
Friday published four robber-style photos of the cow, named
Paula, strolling into the Sparkasse savings bank in Wunstorf,
a small rural town in northern Germany.

"The cow entered, made an elegant turn and walked right
back out," a bank spokeswoman said. "It was an
extraordinary experience, but it was over very quickly."

For the full article (and the learn why the cow was invited
to a wedding in the first place), see:
Cow Article

FEATURED WEB PAGE

This week's featured web page illustrates how software can
be used to generate three-dimensional images of prospective
coin designs. It is from the web site of Daniel Carr, who
entered winning designs for the New York and Rhode Island
state quarters.

http://www.designscomputed.com/coins/

See also:
sculpture picture


  Wayne Homren
  Numismatic Bibliomania Society