The E-Sylum:  Volume 6, Number 29, July 20, 2003, Article 17

ZINC WHITMAN COIN FOLDER PRINTING PLATE

  Inspired by our discussion of the odd numismatic collectibles
  that attract E-Sylum readers, David Lange writes:

  "For my collection of coin boards, albums and folders, I
  recently acquired a very interesting item. It is a zinc plate
  used to print the cover of one of Whitman's coin folders
  during the 1960s. As printing technology evolved during
  the 1970s and '80s, such plates were no longer used, and
  Whitman came up with a clever way to dispose of its stock.
  The letter that accompanies this plate tells the story. A form
  letter, it explains how such plates were often ground down
  and then retooled to keep up with changes in cover graphics.
  Below this typed text is a 1984 handwritten note from Dick
  Yeo, pen name R. S. Yeoman, explaining to the recipient of
  the plate that Whitman was sending these obsolete relics to
  their better wholesale customers as thanks for years of
  patronage.

  The plate I have is for folder No. 9038. This is Part Four
  of a four-part sequence covering the Liberty Seated Half
  Dollar series. This particular folder includes the dates 1873
  Arrows through 1891, a title no longer offered by Whitman.
  In fact, this catalog number has more recently been re-used
  for Washington Quarters 1988-2000, a title which, by virtue
  of the state quarters program, is itself probably no longer in
  print.

  The plate I have bears the eagle logo used by Whitman on
  its folders only during the years 1965-67, after which time
  it was replaced by the Western/Whitman globe logo. Now,
  here's the really strange part: Despite owning a folder for
  every edition for which this title was offered (1953-70),
  I'm lacking the one edition that bears the eagle logo! If
  anyone finds folder No. 9038 for Liberty Seated Half Dollars
  1873-1891 bearing the eagle logo on its front cover, please
  let me know. I want very much to acquire it for my collection
  or, at the very least, confirm that this plate was actually used."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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