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V18 2015 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 18, Number 28, July 12, 2015, Article 33

Jeff Reichenberger also submitted these thoughts about Whitman's A Guide Book of United States Coins, the "Red Book". Thanks. -Editor

A brief one year follow-up on my Little Free Library (E-Sylum Vol. 17, No. 28, July 6, 2014):

Hands down the most popular item that invariably goes within two days of its availability is the Red Book. I obtain outdated copies from a dealer friend and put them in the library regularly, I have distributed 32 of them in this first year since we built the Little Free Library. A testament to the universal popularity and usefulness of the Red Book.

On another note concerning the Leather Bound Limited Edition Red Books, I have to confess to feeling a smidgen disgruntled.

I have collected the Leather Red Books since their inception in 2005. I love the look, and feel, and of course the utility of the books, and that they are signed by Ken and numbered. I believe the first issue was priced at $59.95 and the price gradually increased over the next ten years until the 2014 edition was $79.95. However, in 2014 they never announced the publication of the 2015 edition and I wondered what was up, so I called Whitman and was disappointed to learn the Leather bound books would be discontinued.

Then came the surprising announcement in the May 24, 2015 E-Sylum (Vol. 18, No. 21) that they were publishing the 2015 and 2016 volumes of the Leather edition simultaneously, at a print run of just 500 each, and at a price of $99.95 each. Wow! thank you for resuming the issue, but OUCH, now the collector has to expend $200 to get the '15 and '16 issues at the same time, and feels he has to do it quickly because of the low 'printage'.

Is this a formula for attempting to create a rarity? I don't know, but I am one collector who is out of the race. Stopping at ten issues isn't so bad. It's a nice round number and they still look great on my shelf.

And here's a question from Nick Graver. Thanks. -Editor

I found myself reading the Suzy B. (local Rochester gal) entry in the 2016 Red Book and puzzled over the claim:

“First time that a woman other than a model or mythical figure has appeared on a circulating U.S. coin.”
Page 234 Susan B. Anthony Dollar -Par. two -

Of course Queen Isabella instantly comes to mind on the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Isabella Quarter. She was as real as could be, and that was, in fact, the era in which Ms. Anthony was so active on behalf of Women’s Rights.

I’d like Whitman to reconsider that entry, giving credit all around, for the women on our coins.

I think the key word here is "circulating". The Isabella Quarters were sold as souvenirs; while some entered circulation, that was not the intention. -Editor