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V4 2001 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 4, Number 44, October 28, 2001, Article 9 HALLOWEEN ANSWER. "The American numismatist was M.L. Beistle. His full name was Martin Luther Beistle. His book, of course, was "The Register of Half Dollar Die Varieties and Sub-Varieties." (Beistle's firm published his book in 1929, based on his own half dollar collection. It was reprinted in 1964.) Early in the 20th century Beistle purchased a paper product company he worked for, whose major product was fake trees. In 1910 he purchased the technology to manufacture a party goods specialty, honeycombed tissue. The firm prospered in World War I when such party goods could not be imported from Germany. And over the years the firm manufactured millions of tissue pumpkins and ghosts and goblins and bells and hundreds of other items. Beistle was a native of central Pennsylvania, but the early company was located in Pittsburgh. After he purchased it he moved his company to Shippensburg in 1907. Born in 1875, Beistle died in 1935. But his company lived on and is still owned by his family. For his Halloween connection see: http://www.spookshows.com/beistle/beistle.htm For pictures of Beistle and his story see: http://www.cumberlink.com/50_in_250/beistle.html But most interestingly, visit his company's home page. Here you will see a medal the firm had struck for their 100th anniversary in 2000. In 1950, for their 50th anniversary, they had Medallic Art Company strike a medal with three portraits. In addition to Beistle's portrait is that of Henry E. Luhrs (his son-in-law) and Jeremiah S. Omwake (another company founder). The obverse with three portraits was created by sculptor Jeno Juszko. The present medal, whose design is based on the earlier one, shows five portraits. The reverse (unfortunately not shown) displays eight company products; it was by Rene P. Chambellan. See: http://www.beistle.com Happy Halloween!"

Wayne Homren, Editor

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