The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 26, June 26, 2005, Article 16

THE TWO SCHULMANS: HANS AND JACQUES

To clear up a question about last week's items on Hans
Schulman, George Fuld writes: "Yes, we are confused. The
Dutch Schulman was JACQUES, while Hans was an immigrant
and a first cousin as I recall.

I visited Jacques' store in 1960 and got a royal welcome. I
bought some rare books-- the French Van Loon, and the earlier
one on Dutch medals whose name I've forgotten. The prices
were insignificant in today's world. I bought some tokens, also.

I dealt with Hans in New York certainly as early 1955 and
bought from many of his auctions. Hans was a great promoter
with a large ego but was always pleasant to me and my father.
I hope this clarifies the matter."

Richard Margolis writes: "I am sure that I will not be the first to
write concerning Nick Graver's reminiscences of his visit to Hans
Schulman. Actually, he visited the offices not of Hans, but of his
cousin, Jacques Schulman, who was located for so many years
at Keizersgracht 448 in Amsterdam. Many years ago I hailed
a cab at Schiphol Airport, asked to be taken to Keizersgracht
448, and the driver immediately responded, "Ah, the coin king
of Holland!"

As for Hans, I knew him for many years and although I found
him gracious, helpful, and a real charmer, it was important to
know exactly what you were buying from him."

Ken Bressett writes: "I never met anyone who did not like Hans
and enjoy his humor and stories. One of his best that he told me
was about a time he and his wife were dining with King Farouk.
After dinner the King lit a cigar and offered some to the Schulmans.
Protocol called for them to accept. After nearly gaging on them,
Farouk admitted it was a joke and they all had a good laugh."

Alan V. Weinberg writes: "Jacques Schulman, controlled the
shop at 448 Keizersgracht, Amsterdam on one of the canals for
many decades. Hans never had a shop in the Netherlands and,
as memory serves, left the US for Spain sometime in the 1980s
under questionable circumstances (can anyone speak to this issue?).

Jacques, the older brother, resembled Hans in build and face.
He was gregarious and spoke English well. I recall, on one visit
to his large shop on Keizersgracht, he related that a massive
U.S. Presidential gold lifesaving medal, cased, originating from
him and still in my collection was actually awarded not just to a
Dutch ship captain but a notorious pirate captain, a background
probably unknown to President Lincoln when it was engraved/
presented!

The facts surrounding the Jewish Schulman family's survival in
Amsterdam and the safe storage of the numismatic stock and
retention of even their prominently-placed Keizersgracht address
is mystifying given the thoroughness of the Nazi assets confiscation
and expulsion of the Dutch Jews. Even the alleged numismatic
interests of Nazi generals alluded to in E-Sylum cannot account
for the Schulman's survival. It certainly didn't help the Jewish
families' expertise in the fine arts in Nazi-occupied countries.
It's long-ago history but has anyone else had a conversation with
Jacques or Hans on this subject?"

Nick Graver writes: "Yes, obviously, it was Jacques in Amsterdam,
so sorry about the confusion. I do recall Hans at ANA shows, and
there was a strong resemblance. The memories from the visit were
otherwise genuine. Please excuse the error."

[Absolutely! -Editor]

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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