The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 35, September 3, 2007, Article 6

ON THE ANA'S SPONSORSHIP OF LANGE'S 'U.S. MINT AND ITS COINAGE' BOOK

Author David Lange writes: "I want to clarify a couple of
misunderstandings in your story last week about my mint history
book and the ANA. The book was indeed commissioned by the ANA
in 1995, but the plan was to publish it in-house as part of
the ANA's series of correspondence courses. The manuscript
was completed early in 1996, but then it sort of languished
within the Education Department for the next several years.

"When the manuscript was finally laid out and illustrated by
Mary Jo Meade (who has performed the same work for my current
book), the resulting product was good enough that the ANA's
Money Market head Rudy Bahr desired to have it produced as a
commercial book, with the proceeds going to the ANA. I had
already signed away any rights to it a few years beforehand,
on the assumption that it would remain simply a correspondence
course for educational purposes.

"Still, I didn't object to the change of plans, and Rudy even
attempted to get me some sort of royalty as an honorarium.
Everything was set to go, and Mary Jo had already prepared a
beautiful cover design, which was shown to a few people during
the 2003 Summer Seminar to much approval.

"Things began to unravel when Rudy was let go by the ANA in the
fall of 2003 as part of a widespread purge of the then-current
staff. Mary Jo and I were left in the dark as to what, if anything,
was happening with the book. I wrote several emails to Chris
Cipoletti in an attempt to get an answer, but nothing was
forthcoming until early in 2005, when I found out that the ANA
had turned over the book to Whitman. Despite my repeated emails,
I was unable to affect the remaining changes I needed to make
to it before I learned second-hand that the book was already
in print.

"Nevertheless, I'm pleased with the finished product, though
I still prefer the original cover design, which featured the
familiar painting of the first mint's buildings. The cover
design actually used was prepared by Whitman's art department
without any input from Mary Jo or me, but it seems pleasing
enough to the public.

"I don't know what sort of deal was struck between the ANA and
Whitman, and my attempts to find out what the ANA received for
the book have been unsuccessful. As I stated before, I
understood years prior its publication that I would not be
paid or receive royalties. That's not where the injury lies,
but rather it is in the ANA's failure to acknowledge that
this was a commissioned work and that it was an outright
donation from the very beginning.

"I suspect that the ANA may have lost money on this project,
since it had to pay Mary Jo for her professional services,
and the book's very low list price suggests that Whitman
acquired it quite reasonably. If it was indeed a loss to the
ANA, the previous board of governors did not, to the best of
my knowledge, investigate, though I did raise this issue
with it.

"I'm not seeking money for the work I did on behalf of the
ANA, only a truthful acknowledgment of the facts to the
current board and the membership. While I'm pleased with the
recognition that the book has brought me, the ANA management's
handling of the project has left me feeling somewhat injured
by the whole experience."

[My note last week was based on my incomplete recollections
of what I'd heard about the project from various people. Many
thanks to Dave for clarifying his side of the story for us.
-Editor]

Roger Burdette writes: "The E-Sylum article about David Lange's
donation to the ANA of his book, and the work's subsequent
addition to a nationally recognized reading list touched a nerve.
I had seen nothing in the ANA's publications about this and am
concerned that the ANA has not been very appreciative of Mr.
Lange's efforts.

"I've written to ANA President Barry Stuppler and copied the
Board of Governors suggesting that some sort of immediate
recognition be provided. I hope they will understand how much
the ANA could benefit from the positive publicity, and how
much they owe the author for his research and work."

"This would be a great opportunity for the Board to show
they are not only in control but prepared to turn the ship
around and head back on course in a positive and productive
manner."

[As I noted last week, I think the ANA Board has many important
issues to deal with right now, but several board members are
regular E-Sylum readers.  Roger's notes and these E-Sylum items
have made the board aware of the issue, and I trust that in due
course the board will review the situation and act appropriately.
Meanwhile, I would recommend to everyone to get a copy of the
book and enjoy reading it. Great job, Dave, and congratulations
again on the book's honors.  -Editor]

 LANGE'S U.S. MINT AND ITS COINAGE CHOSEN AS ESSENTIAL COLLEGE READING
 esylum_v10n34a03.html
Dave adds: "By the way, the latest date on delivery of my
Coin Board books is September 10, yet another two weeks later
than I was told by the printer. The books are already printed,
but there seems to be a delay at the bindery. I apologize
to anyone who has ordered the book, and I ask for their
continued patience."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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