The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 13, March 27, 2005, Article 9

HODGES' AMERICAN BANK NOTE SAFE GUARD

Regarding Anne E. Bentley question about Hodges'
American Bank Note Safe Guard books, George Kolbe
writes: "I believe that Roy Pennell's 1977 reprint is of the
1865 edition of Hodges (is the original now in the American
Numismatic Association library?). The Massachusetts
Historical Society copy appears to be undated, i.e., "n.p. n.d."
usually translates as "no place or date of publication noted."
The inscription does not necessarily indicate the date of
publication. Dillistin, however, records copies of the 1865
edition at the Baker Library and MHS though it might be
interesting for Ms. Bentley to compare the MHS copy with
the easily obtainable reprint, as Dillistin also indicates that
neither is a "revised edition." I do not recall having handled
an 1865 edition over the years but would need to wear a
bib if examining the truly remarkable MHS example."

[A bib! Is that why they call use drooling numismatic
book fiends BIB-liomaniacs? -Editor]

Eric Newman writes: "The inquiry of Anne Bentley as to
Hodge's Bank Note Reporter was answered by you to
a great extent but so far as I know no detailed bibliographical
list has ever been published of these volumes, and should be.
This style of bank note description began with Dye's
Delineator in 1855 and was apparently acquired by Hodge
for his 1856 edition. There were editions thereafter which
were quarterly for a time and then only annually.

If your readers would list their editions, date and number of
pages I will try to assemble the data. Our collection has 10
issues. The Civil War period issues gradually include Federal
issues and fractional currency and eliminate bank note issues
of the Confederacy. The numismatic book dealers or others
could check prior auctions. It is a most interesting series
because it has constant new issues, constant bank failures and
defaults. constant new counterfeit and alteration problems, etc.

[This is exactly the sort of project E-Sylum readers should
be able to take on. If any of our readers can supply
information on these books, I'll put them in touch with Eric.
-Editor]

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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