BREEN'S CYNIC'S DICTIONARY

In response to my question about Walter Breen's "Cynic's Dictionary, David Fanning writes:

"I don't know the answer to this question, though I've wondered about the Dictionary fairly often. I was a good friend of Walter's and stayed with him for three weeks ten years ago, during which time I read much of the manuscript/typescript.

I have copies of a number of entries, mostly included by him in letters to me. I got out of the coin business in 1990 and so don't know if he published any of the definitions in numismatic publications around that time (except in the Legacy interview).

In a letter to me written on Sept. 28, 1989, he wrote

"I have been working on this project since 1982; it is complete but in process of updating. My agent is enthusiastically showing it to various NY publishers, almost certain that one or another will buy it. The latest news is that Oxford Univ. Press wanted it but that someone upstairs (outranking their editor in chief) was scared off by its extremely controversial political positions and its use of four-letter words. It exposes every sacred cow I can find as baloney in drag."

One of the definitions I have is for "Coin Dealer," which reads as follows:

coin dealers n. phr. Apt to believe themselves prey of cherrypickers. Nevertheless, many brag to their peers about the rarities they just cherrypicked from some walk-in yokel. Prov. 20:14; Isaiah 24:16.

Even some of the least educated display the title "Professional Numismatis," like Eeyore's tail pinned to his rump. Their pitfalls are greed, dishonesty, and stupidity. God bless the rare exceptions.

I lost touch with his family after he died and so don't know what became of this book. I'd very much like to read it."

Wayne Homren, Editor

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The E-Sylum: Volume 3, Number 31, July 30 , 2000, Article 3

BREEN'S CYNIC'S DICTIONARY

Wayne Homren, Editor