The E-Sylum:  Volume 11, Number 11, March 16, 2008, Article 5

BOOK REVIEW: THE NOTES OF THE ISLAND OF PUERTO RICO BY HUMBERTO COSTA

[The following review of Humberto Costa's "The Notes of
the Island of Puerto Rico" was written by Peter Huntoon
and published in the March 2008 issue of Bank Note Reporter.
With permission of the author and BNR Editor Dave Kranz,
I'm reprinting it here.  Thanks, guys!  A well known and
respected researcher in the paper money field, Peter is
also a new subscriber - welcome aboard!  -Editor]

"The Notes of the Island of Puerto Rico" just landed on my
desk.  WOW, it features a comprehensive assemblage of high
resolution color photos of every class of Puerto Rican
paper ever issued.

The nucleus of illustrations are actual notes collected by
Humberto Costa during the past 60 years.  What he was unable
to obtain is fleshed out with photos of available pieces
from other collections, or proofs from the American Bank
Note Company.

The 210 page book was published by Westernbank, el Banco del
Pueblo, Puerto Rico.  It measures 11 x 8 2 inches, and utilized
coated paper allowing for high quality color illustrations.
The scans that accompany this announcement are scans from the
photos in the book, not the actual notes, that's how good the
illustrations are!

Humberto tells the story of his passion for collecting.  He
is Puerto Rican which gives the book an added dimension of
sincerity and authenticity. The history of the use of paper
money on the island is related by Eduardo Rodriguez-Vazquez.
Vazquez-Rodriguez begins this tour with the Spanish colonial
era in 1766, and carries you through the national bank note
era under U. S. colonial rule.

The authors walk you through each series and denomination in
a very usefully, highly organized fashion.  If it was made
between 1812 and 1909, you're going to see a great illustration
of it.

Available data on manufacturer, printings, and other useful
tidbits are provided where available.

The layout work couples photos of the notes with historic
island scenes, people and vignettes.  The presentation is a
visual feast, far more elegant than the vast majority of
numismatic books.

What is significant is that there are both Spanish and English
language editions of the book.  Don't procrastinate; this is
a limited edition work. Ordering information is through:

Humberto Costa
1026 Vigereaux Ave, Apto. 23-E
Guaynabo, PR 00966-2504
787-781-9963

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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