The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 50, December 9, 2007, Article 9

REVIEW: THE GOBRECHT JOURNAL 100TH ISSUE

David Lange writes: "I just finished the new 100th issue of
The Gobrecht Journal. Not only is this specialized journal
still thriving after 30+ years, but its landmark 100th
issue is of particular interest to bibliophiles and numismatic
historians.

"Bill Bugert contributed a long and well researched biography
of Martin Luther Beistle, author of the pioneering 1929
reference on half dollars. It includes his life story, as
well as a history of The Beistle Company. Within this is an
excellent study of the development of Beistle's Unique brand
coin pages, better known today as the National brand, its
name after Wayte Raymond undertook the marketing of this first
coin album. Before reading Bill's article I didn't realize
that both the National albums and their low-budget companions,
the Popular brand, continued to be manufactured by The Beistle
Company for decades after Raymond took over. His death in 1956
saw the Faxons continuing their sales of these familiar items
through the 1960s. They were yet being produced by The Beistle
Company, which still exists today, though it no longer produces
coin hobby products. Should I ever get around to doing a book
about coin albums, which remains a goal of mine, I'll be
drawing heavily on Bill's research and reference sources.

"Of particular interest to numismatic bibliophiles is
Bill's study of M. L. Beistle's book on the half dollar
series. Included are specific facts about the printer of
this book, the number printed of each edition and their
ultimate dispostion, as well as Beistle's cost for the
press run and Aubrey Beebe's acquisition of the unsold
remainder from Beistle's estate. My own library lacks an
original Beistle, as I have only the reprint Beebe produced
after selling the last of the original copies.

"Also included in this outstanding issue is Len Augsburger's
biography of Kamal M. Ahwash, famed for his pioneering
specialization in Seated Liberty coinage and his authorship
in 1977 of the first detailed reference book on Seated Liberty
Dimes. I knew Kam only casually and cannot contribute any
more to what Len wrote, but Kam had a very interesting and
varied career that is well presented in this article.

"The balance of the issue is typical of the material usually
included in The Gobrecht Journal, consisting of detailed
studies of particular Seated Liberty coins and series. There
is, however, a brief tribute to Al Blythe, author of The
Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dimes. I did know Al
quite well, and I can affirm Mark Sheldon's depiction of him
as a generous and good natured individual.

"I've been a member of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club
for 30 years, and in that time I can't recall an issue of
its journal that I enjoyed so thoroughly as this landmark
100th number. NBS members should definitely acquire this
issue for its unique material."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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