MORE ON AMERICAN FAROUK AUCTION ATTENDEES

Kathy Lawrence, Past President of the Dallas Coin Club writes:

I have enjoyed the recent articles devoted to Americans who attended the Palace Sale of King Farouk's coins sequestered by the Republic of Egypt. One name that seems to elicit only the most limited recognition was a man shown in the group photo in the Oct. 16 issue: James P. Randall of Chicago. Here was a colorful character about I had learned a lot in the early 1950's.

At that time my family lived in Florida and my late brother John and I became what are now called YN members of the very active Miami Coin Club. The club had been founded in 1948 with Randall among the charter members. His name came up at nearly every meeting, especially if the business segment was a trifle slow.

It developed that member Randall (once a Chicago dealer with a major interest in Far Eastern material) had strenuous objections to the second slate of officers elected to lead the club. He expressed his distaste in a series of letters that were considered defamatory and the club expelled him forthwith. Randall then sued the club alleging that his expulsion was illegal. The matter passed through Dade County courts and on up to the Florida Supreme Court over the years at considerable expense.

Another club leader was the late William Fox Steinberg, a prominent dealer ordinarily noted for his calm and affable demeanor. "Foxy" came to a meeting in the 1950's and took the floor to read a section as written by the unhappy Randall, in which he offered a substantial cash reward ($10,000 if I recall correctly) "to any CHRISTIAN lady or gentleman who has heard me described as insane!" I noticed with surprise that "Foxy" was now quivering with fury, as he announced, "You know what I say to that !?! I say CHUCK YOU FARLEY!!!"

Soon after the state Supreme Court examined the suit, deciding that Randall had indeed been illegally expelled according to the bylaws! He was promptly re-instated and sent a new membership card. It returned virtually overnight, ripped into tiny pieces and stuffed into a sealed envelope! The membership cost ONE DOLLAR! What devotion to principle!

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: AMERICAN FAROUK AUCTION ATTENDEES (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v14n44a06.html)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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