The E-Sylum:  Volume 6, Number 14, April 6, 2003, Article 4

FROM THE SHORES OF SAN SERIFFE

  An email making the rounds of the Internet on April Fool's
  Day stated:

  "In 1977, the British newspaper "The Guardian" published a
  seven-page supplement to honor the 10th anniversary of
  San Serriffe, a republic in the Indian Ocean consisting of
  several semi-colon-shaped islands.

  Its two main islands were Upper Caisse and Lower Caisse;
  its capital was Bodoni, and its leader was General Pica.

  Few "Guardian" readers, who rang up the offices all day
  asking about the idyllic spot, noted the use of printer's
  terminology."

  Your Editor's first introduction to the Republic of San Seriffe
  spoof came with the publication of "The First Fine Silver
  Coinage of the Republic of  San Seriffe" by Henry Morris of
  Bird & Bull Press.  350 copies were produced, each containing
  a one-ounce serially-numbered silver proof commemorative
  coin and certificate of authenticity.  This is one book I don't
  yet have in my library, as it's pricey and not exactly in my line
  of interest.  But it sounds fun.  If any of our readers have a
  copy, could you tell us if Morris acknowledges the 1977
  Guardian article?  Is the reference to the 1977 article correct,
  or yet another Internet spoof?   Gawd, I'm confused.

  Morris also published "The Booksellers of San Seriffe" in 2001,
  which, if I'm not mistaken, includes a token of George Frederick
  Kolbe, Bookseller.

  The April Fool email seems to have been cribbed from the
  "Museum of Hoaxes" web site, which notes:

  "At the Guardian itself the island of San Serriffe became a
  running gag in the years to follow. The island reappeared on
  April Fool's Day in 1978, 1980 and 1999. Moreover, each
  time it reappeared the island had changed location. It began
  in the Indian Ocean, moved to the South China Sea, and
  ended up in the North Atlantic. "
  http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/af_1977.html

  For amusement, read the site's list of the "Top 100" Hoaxes.
  Be sure to check out  #10, "The Predictions of Isaac Bickerstaff,"
  which was perpetrated by Jonathan Swift.
  http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/top100.html

  Quick Quiz:  Who can tell us Swift's connection to American
  numismatics?

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

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