Welcome to The E-Sylum: Volume 7, Number 31, August 1, 2004:
an electronic publication of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.
Copyright (c) 2004, The Numismatic Bibliomania Society.


LAKE BOOKS SALE #75 PRL AVAILABLE

  Fred Lake of Lake Books writes: "The prices realized list for
  our sale #75 which closed on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 is now
  available for viewing on the Lake Books web site at:
  Sale #75

  The PRL is available in either PDF or MS WORD format.
  When you reach the "Past Sales" page either scroll down to
  sale #75 or click on the link marked "2004" to see the links.

  The sale was a very busy one and we appreciate the spirited
  bidding."


SPINK LITERATURE OFFERINGS

  Hadrien Rambach writes: "As in every issue of the Numismatic
  Circular, the oldest fixed-price list in the numismatic world,
  founded in 1892, and now published every two months, the
  August issue of Spink's Circular will offer many rare and out-
  of-print numismatic books.  There are 100 items in this
  interesting issue, on many different subject areas:

  Italian coins (a complete, but for a reprint of the 20th volume,
  of the "Corpus Nummorum"), Banknote forgeries (two copies
  of the rare "Report of the Committeee?" of 1819), English
  coins (with a superb and almost complete set of the "British
  Numismatic Journal"), etc. Some of the bindings on the books
  in this list are exceptional: a full morocco binding on a copy
  of the "Monete Cufiche" (Milan 1819), a superb set in the
  original Spink morocco binding of the "Biographical Dictionary"
  by Forrer (1904-1930), the crimson quarter morocco set of
  Roman Imperial Coins from the Bastien library, a full calf
  "Numismata Orientalia" by Marsden, etc.

  However this issue of the Circular is mainly notable for its
  antiquarian rarities. It includes no less than three different
  and early editions of Bude's "De Asse", including an amazing
  1532 Parisian edition which according to Dekesel is not held
  in any public-library in Paris! This list of books also includes
  the first edition of Agricola's "De mensuris & Ponderibus".
  A highly unusual item is also listed for sale, being a series of
  coin-engravings by the famous artist Jacques Callot (1592-
  1635). A large selection of coins is, as usual, also included."


AUCTION CENSUS DEADLINE EXTENDED

  Karl Moulton writes: "By request, the deadline for the19th
  century auction catalogue census, being conducted by the
  Numismatic Bibliomania Society, has been extended to the
  end of October.  Several people with large libraries have
  asked for more time.  If you haven't added your material to
  this compilation and wish to contribute, contact me at
  numiscats at aol.com and I will send out a census form."


A WONDERFUL LITERARY SURPRISE

  Lane Brunner writes: "The end of the day was the same as
  most others. After a warm greeting from my kids following
  work, I noticed a small box with a  familiar label. "How nice,"
  I thought, "a package from Charlie  Davis."  I just purchased
  a copy of Musante's book on the medallic  work of Bolen,
  so I was anticipating a package and reasoned that  Charlie
  just sent it very quickly.

  After dinner and time with the kids, I sat down for a quiet
  read. Much to my surprise, the book was not the anticipated
  one on Bolen's work, but rather a copy Gilboy's book on
  Pillar coinage, "The Milled Columnarios of Central and South
  America. Spanish American Pillar Coinage 1732 to 1772,"
  and the book was number 4 of 500. This was indeed a
  special book, albeit not my special book. Naturally, I
  thought Charlie made a rare shipping error. Now, it's not that
  I naturally assume Charlie makes mistakes; quite the opposite.
  I could not, however, think of any other reason why I would
  have received this wonderful book.

  I sent Charlie a short email telling him of the book and
  asking if I can forward the book to its awaiting new owner. A
  little while later, Charlie returns my message indicating that the
  book was a gift for me and he was asked to send it without
  any paperwork included. I was speechless.

  Since the topic of the book is rather focused and concerns
  an area in which I am attempting to educate myself, it is a
  timely and much appreciated gift.  My literary benefactor
  remains unknown, but is obviously someone who appreciates
  fine numismatic literature. If the kind person who sent me this
  wonderful gift is reading this passage, please know that the
  book will have great use in research and education and will
  be a valued addition to my library. Thank you so very much!"


NBS 25TH ANNIVERSARY ARTICLE

  Thanks to Numismatic News for publishing online a short
  article on the 25th anniversary of the founding of our Society.
  Based on a press release by E. Tomlinson Fort, editor of our
  print journal The Asylum, the article descibes the forthcoming
  276-page special  issue "containing articles from hobby figures
  such as researcher Q. David Bowers, researcher Professor
  John Cunnally, Dr. Christian Dekesel of the Bibliotheca
  Numismatica Sicilians in Belgium, researcher Dr. David
  Fanning, former NBS President Wayne Homren, Douglas
  Saville of Spink and Son in London, and NBS President Pete
  Smith."

  To read the full article, see:Full Article

  The article has one mistake, however - it describes The
  Asylum as being 25 years old, but the anniversary is of the
  founding of our organization in 1979; the first Asylum
  issue arrives a year later.


UH-OH: ANNIVERSARY ISSUE  DELAYED

  Tom Fort writes: "The good news is that we (myself, David
  Fanning and George Kolbe) recieved the proofs of the
  Summer issue of The Asylum from the printer. The bad news
  is that they were not up to the standards we expected.  I am
  working to rectify these problems with the printer. Sadly,
  they will delay publication and it is very unlikely that the issue
  will reach members before the ANA convention. While this is
  certainly a disapointment to many (especially myself), I feel
  that it is better that we have first rate production to go with
  our first-rate articles. The one silver lining in this large cloud is
  that those who successfully bid on the proofs we will be
  auctioning at the ANA wil get to read the issue before
  everyone else. Also, I will have a bound proof with me at
  the ANA, if you see me I will be happy to show it to you."

  [Tom also wanted me to add, for the benefit of those attending
  the Great Numismatic Libraries of Pittsburgh tour, that there
  is a cat in residence at his home, so those with allergies should
  be aware. -Editor]


ANA LITERATURE EXHIBITS

  Chief Judge Joe Boling reports that there are four exhibits
  totaling seventeen cases entered in Class 22, Numismatic
  Literature at the upcoming American Numismatic
  Association convention in Pittsburgh.  Be sure to take a look.
  Their titles are:

 1. Coin Boards 1934-2004
 2. A Tribute to Randolph Zander
 3. An 18th Century Magnum Opus
 4. Numismatic Literature of Western Pennsylvania Numismatic
     Society Members: The First 100 Years


GRAVER PHOTOGRAPHIC NUMISMATICS TALK

  NBS member Nicholas M. Graver returns to his home town,
  presenting "Photographic Numismatics", a slide lecture in the
  Numismatic Theatre at the upcoming ANA convention in
  Pittsburgh, Wednesday afternoon, August 18 at 3:00.   The
  updated talk shows numismatic items related to Photography,
  and all manner of Photo Antiques having a "money" connection.
  Audience members will receive an elongated nickel, depicting a
  photographer and his studio camera taken from a CDV photo
  in the Graver collection.  This piece describes Nick as
  photographic antiquarian (collector of daguerreotypes, photos,
  etc.)

  Readers not attending ANA, may receive the elongated nickel,
  by sending a SASE to N.M. Graver, 276 Brooklawn Dr.
  Rochester, NY 14618.


U.S. ESSAY, PROOF AND SPECIMEN NOTES, 2ND EDITION

  The 2nd edition of Gene Hessler's "U.S. Essay, Proof and
  Specimen Notes" has been published.  From the Press Release:

  A FEAST FOR THE EYES! That's what is being said about
  the 2nd edition of U.S. Essay, Proof and Specimen Notes.
  This expanded 272-page book is a banquet of remarkable
  bank note illustrations that have never been published before.
  For illustrations of U.S. paper money designs that "might
  have been" and rare issued notes that are shown here for the
  first time, this is the only source available. The first edition was
  published in 1979.

  "Meticulously researched and written by the premier researcher
  of U.S. paper money of our generation, the new work rightfully
  deserves a prominent place along side Gene Hessler's other
  standard and classic U.S. currency, engraving and bond volumes."
  Fred Reed, editor of PAPER MONEY

  Paper money catalogs mention but have never illustrated three
  1863 interest-bearing treasury notes of $500, $1000 and $5000.
  The author has uncovered these rarities and now you can see
  them for the first time. In addition to proofs and specimens of
  rare notes you will see designs that will make you wonder why
  they were never issued.

  There are very few remaining drawings and sketches that
  preceded the final design and ultimate engraving of bank notes.
  In these pages there are examples of these rare images and
  references to the artists who created them.

  Collectors will want this book just for the color illustration on
  the cover. Professor Roman Hellmann, retired designer for the
  National Bank of Austria created this $1 design with the portrait
  of Thomas Edison as a test piece for a De La Rue Giori Press.
  In the foreword to the 1st edition, James A. Conlon director of
  the Bureau of Engraving and Printing from 1967-1977 said,
  "I am particularly impressed by Mr. Hessler's research on
  proofs, essays and experimental designs-the what 'might have
  been.'"  This book includes information that would have been
  lost, Mr. Conlon says, "if it were not for the imaginative
  interest and diligent research of devoted scholars like Gene
  Hessler. I learned new and interesting facts in the pleasurable
  reading of this well-done work."

  The foreword to this edition by Executive Vice President
  Stephen L. Goldsmith of R.M. Smythe & Company lends
  another perspective. "The new edition," he says, "comes at a
  time when interest in paper money is at an all-time high, and for
  a variety of  reasons." This new edition will be extremely
  valuable to collectors.  Mr. Goldsmith continues, "I believe
  there was another important element at work, the constant
  effort of Gene Hessler, researching, writing, lecturing, and
  tirelessly teaching us to appreciate the rich heritage of
  America's paper money."

  Gene Hessler, past editor of PAPER MONEY is the author of
  three additional books (the Comprehensive Catalog of U.S.
  Paper Money, An Illustrated History of U.S. Loans, 1775-1898,
  and The Engravers Line) with another to be published in 2005;
  he has written over 300 articles including columns for Coin
  World and the Numismatist. He served as curator for The
  Chase Manhattan Bank Money Museum and the St. Louis
  Mercantile Money Museum.  Mr. Hessler, a retired musician
  has traveled the world and has performed with many of the
  most famous names in jazz and classical music. He is listed in
  various editions of Who's Who in the Midwest, America and
  the World.

  The cost of the book is $40; a limited collectors' edition is $95.
  Include $4 per order (not per book). Send orders to BNR Press,
  132 E. Second St., Port Clinton, OH 43452. Order online at
  www.papermoneyworld.net, or use PayPal
  (bnrpress at papermoneyworld.net.)


PHILIPPINE JOURNAL BARRILLA INFO SOUGHT

  Ralf Böpple of Stuttgart / Germany writes: "I have a question
  for the E-Sylum community - maybe somebody can come up
  with a quick answer. I am looking for the period during which
  the Money Museum of the Central Bank of the Philippines
  published their journal BARRILLA.

  The first volume came out 1974, it was published quarterly
  until 1979 and semi-annually thereafter. The Library of Congress
  does not state that the publication was discontinued, but on the
  homepage of the Central Bank there is no hit for the title as
  search word. Does anybody know whether the journal was
  stopped being published, and if so, when?"


ISRAELI NOTE FALLS VICTIM TO CREDIT CARD USE

  Bill Rosenblum writes: "Another enjoyable E-Sylum as usual.
  In regard to the item about the trooper collecting fines on the
  spot via credit card it seems that the increased use of credit
  cards in Israel has stalled the issuance of a 500 Sheqalim note
  (about $110 US)  there. The note was scheduled to be released
  a few years ago but  according to my contacts there so many
  people now use credit cards that  the need for the note has
  decreased dramatically. Ten years ago very few Israelis (at
  least the ones that I did business) with used credit cards; now
  more than half my sales to Israelis is by credit card."


DICKESON PANORAMA ON EXHIBIT

  NBS President Pete Smith writes: "Last night (7-29-04) I
  visited the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. What drew me was
  their exhibition "Currents of Change / Art and Life Along the
  Mississippi River, 1851-1861."  A highlight was a panel from
  John J. Egan's Mississippi panorama, "The Monumental
  Grandeur of the Mississippi Valley."  They also had a video
  screen where a  viewer could scroll through the entire
  panorama, some 430 feet long.

  This panorama was used as a backdrop for Professor
  Montroville Wilson Dickeson who toured and lectured before
  the Civil War. He is known to bibliophiles for the first
  American numismatic encyclopaedia published in 1858.

  For me, seeing the Dickeson / Egan panorama was as exciting
  as seeing four 1913 Liberty nickels. (But not as exciting as
  seeing the fifth.) Also on exhibit was a large marble of
  Hiawatha by Augustus Saint Gaudens, another numismatic
  connection. The exhibit has been extended into October."


PITTSBURGH CONVENTION SUPPLEMENTAL WEB PAGES

  Regarding the web address published last week for the
  benefit of those attending the upcoming convention of the
  American Numismatic Association in Pittsburgh, Bill
  Rosenblum also asks: "Your list of eating establishments in
  Pittsburgh will be put to good  use. You said it was a
  supplemental list. Was there another list published with
  other places listed that I missed?"

  There are no other restaurant lists that the convention
  committee has published.  "Supplemental" meant that all
  the web pages prepared by the local committee are meant
  to supplement the information provided on the ANA's
  web site.   The pages are hosted on the web site of PAN,
  the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists.  See
  ANA Supplemental.


THE ENIGMATIC COUNTERSTAMPED QUARTERS

  Regarding last week's item about the  "E" and "L"
  counterstamps found on the obverse of many 1815 and
  1825 U.S. quarters, Tom DeLorey writes: "I tend to doubt
  this theory, on the grounds that the counterstamps
  apparently were done in the Mint with the coins resting in
  the reverse die to prevent distortion of the reverse surface
  during the counterstamping.  The same thing was done with
  the 1848 $2-1/2 "CAL." counterstamp, with the coins
  resting in the obverse die during the process. A private
  organization would not have had this option available to
  them, unless one of their members was a Mint employee
  with high privileges.
.
  My personal theory is that the "L" was meant to
  commemorate the widely heralded visit of Lafayette to
  America in 1825. However, I have no idea who "E"
  might have been. Does anybody have a good account of
  Lafayette's tour that might prove a visit to Philadelphia,
  and if so does it mention a traveling companion with the
  initial "E"?


SELTIC SULTURE

  Dave Kellogg writes: "I enjoyed the debate within the v7#27,
  July 4th edition regarding the pronunciation of certain Latin
  words.  For example, "Another is the word Caesar.  In
  English, it's See-sar; in classical Latin, it's Ky-sar."  And,
  "The letter c in Latin was hard, regardless of what letter
  followed ....".  Based on the above, should we then refer to
  the Celtic Civilization as the Keltic Kivilization?  Or, if that
  sounds odd, perhaps we should go with the soft c, as in
  Seltic.  The Seltic Sivilization - that sounds better.  Now
  about the Celtic Culture.  I guess it should be the Seltic
  Sulture!"


CHASE MANHATTAN MONEY MUSEUM HISTORY

  Regarding last week's question about the disposition of the
  Chase Manhattan Money Museum collection,  Robert J.
  Galiette writes: "Gene Hessler may be a good source of
  information regarding the Chase Manhattan Bank Money
  Museum.  He used to be curator of it.  He's also an
  accomplished musician and he'd tell me that it was very
  convenient being in New York because he regularly had
  musical engagements in which he could participate during
  parts of the day.

  His former work as curator is noted in some of his books,
  such as on the dust jacket of "An Illustrated History of U.S.
  Loans, 1775-1898", BNR Press, 1988, a book for which
  Gene spent fifteen years gathering photographs of loan
  documents that in many cases existed only as unique proof,
  specimen or remainder examples.

  Thanks for your invaluable work with the E-Sylum.  It's a
  labor of great dedication on your part to have it come
  forward so regularly each week."

  Martin Gengerke writes: "Regarding your story on the
  whereabouts of the Chase Manhattan Money Museum
  holdings - I can fill you in a bit on the paper money.

  Some notes went to the American Numismatic Society,
  but the bulk of the federal notes and (I believe) the
  obsolete as well, went to the Smithsonian Institution.

  One notable exception is the 1862 $1 Legal Tender note
  with Serial Number 1, from the first series of the issue.
  This note, with a vignette of Salmon P. Chase, is the first
  Dollar Bill issued by the United States - it went to Chase,
  and eventually to the Chase Bank. The bank still has it today.

  The first $2 bill issued by the U.S. is also known, and
  was sold by R.M. Smythe a few years ago."

  Douglas Mudd, Curator/Director Money Museum,
  American Numismatic Association writes: "The bulk of the
  Chase Manhattan Money Museum collection went to the
  National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian -
  something like 26,000 objects, including the primitive money
  collection, the checks (as you mentioned), and a wide
  selection of paper money and coins of the U.S. and the
  world."

  Fred Reed gives this chronology:  "In 1967 Gene Hessler
  became curator of Chase Manhattan Bank Money Museum.
  The Chase Manhattan Bank Money Museum closed in 1977.
  David Rockefeller negotiated to give the Chase Money
  Museum Collection to the Smithsonian Institution's National
  Numismatic Collection.   On Jan. 16, 1978, the Smithsonian
  Institution acquired the Chase Manhattan Bank money
  collection. On Feb. 7, 1979, the Smithsonian Institution
  unveiled highlights from the Chase Manhattan Bank Collection
  to great fanfare."

  Pete Smith writes: "I believe the majority of the coins from
  the Chase Manhattan Money Museum were put on long term
  loan to the Smithsonian. I visited the Smithsonian around 1986
  and saw a special exhibit of the Chase coins. I recall that I
  bent over a case to get a close look at a "Jefferson Head"
  cent and set off a security alarm.  I believe those coins were
  later transferred permanently to the Smithsonian.

  The national museum's exhibit of coins was already old when
  I visited. I believe it was installed some 20 years previously
  and had not been updated to correct a few errors in the
  exhibit. I agree that it is time for the exhibit to close, but I
  wish it would be replaced with a new exhibit.

  Gene Hessler writes: "I was the last curator (1967-1975) of
  the Chase Manhattan Bank Money Museum.  I was
  completely against closing the museum, since it continued to
  draw numerous visitors every day, as many as 1500 per day
  during peak tourist seasons.

  When the bank decided to close the museum and donate the
  collection to the Smithsonian for a major tax deduction, I saw
  no need for the Smithsonian to have another 1804 silver dollar.
  I explained this to the PR Department, who was responsible
  for the museum. Therefore, I was responsible for and was
  successful in having the 1804 dollar and a few pieces of world
  paper money sent to the American Numismatic Society."

  [My info on Eric Newman's role in obtaining the 1804 dollar
  for the ANS was based on an item found on the ANS web
  site.  Thanks for setting the record straight.  -Editor]


PROMINENT COLLECTOR UNMASKED?

  Last week, W. David Perkins gave us this question at the end
  of his submission on "a prominent early silver dollar collector
  (active in the 1950s and 1960s)"  He asked, "What was the
  name of the :prominent collector?:  Hint, this collector was
  the subject of a talk I gave at the NBS Annual Meeting a few
  years ago at the Philadelphia ANA Convention."

  There have been no guesses submitted yet.  I'll publish my
  answer next week.


JOHNSON IS A FAST READER!

  We at The E-Sylum love words, and Dick Johnson sends
  us two new numismatic word definitions.  He writes: "I'm
  still reading the August issue of "Readers' Digest."  Last
  week I wrote about the typo 'model' for 'medal,' about the
  athlete who won a 'bronze model.'  That was on page 18.
  This week I am up to page 47 (I'm a fast reader!)  I
  learned two new words -- 'arcadian' is related to
  coin-operated games and 'paradigm' is a set of two coins.
  I'll bet the last is a set of P-D ten-cent coins."


FEATURED WEB SITE

  This week's featured web site is submitted by Larry Mitchell:

  "This site provides information about the United Kingdom
  Honours System, which includes the Order of the British
  Empire, the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the Royal
  Victorian Order, and several other awards.  Provides details
  about award eligibility, order of wear for badges and
  decorations, and details about bravery awards such as the
  George Cross, the Victoria Cross, and the George Medal:"

  Featured Web Site 

  
  
  Wayne Homren
  Numismatic Bibliomania Society