WALTER BREEN's COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA

WALTER BREEN CREATES HIS U.S. COIN ENCYCLOPEDIA

Stanley Afelbaum was the driving force behind the publication of the greatest American numismatic book. Walter Breen was on his staff as cataloger for his numismatic auctions. Stanley was well aware of Walter's vast knowledge of American coins of every denomination.

Stanley recognized he could capitalize on Walter's knowledge and what better way than a catalog of U.S. coins. But Walter needed direction and oversight, as Walter was easily distracted.

My knowledge of how he wrote the manuscript may be supplemented by others who recall these events as well.

Stanley established Walter in an empty office in midtown New York City with the essentials to compile the manuscript, including a secretary to do the typing. Walter had a box of notes, but the text mostly came from his experience and extensive knowledge in handling the rarer pieces plus knowing where to find the data on all else.

Walter had a remarkable memory, what some call a "photographic memory." He remembered everything he read, being able to recall this at will. He was a voracious reader. I once asked him what his IQ was. He replied it is impossible to measure it but he estimated it was 180 or more, perhaps over 200 on the Benet scale, where 140 and above is considered a genus.

I don't know how many months he worked on the manuscript, but I can imagine Stanley's persuasion to complete it. My office at the time at Medallic Art Co on East 45th was a few blocks from the unknown location of where Waster was working but I was unable to reach him. I would have been a distraction.

The manuscript was completed, index, appendences and all, by late 1987, and published the following year. The book was relatively free of typos attesting to excellent proofreading. Since publication the most major criticism was mintage figures of some early Mint issues. Where the data was unavailable, it was claimed Walter made it up.

Stanley was a master marketer and Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins sold well. At a New Jersey coin show Walter was seated at a table near the entrance to the bourse room signing copies. A truck outside contained boxes of the book as sales of the book were brisk and a large supply was needed. I was there early the second day. Walter numbered the copies sold at the show. Mine was number 97.

The team of Walter Breen and Stanley Afelbaum created a book unequalled in American numismatics. In 2009 the Numismatic Bibliomania Society conducted a survey among members to name the greatest American numismatic books. The number one choice was Breen's Encyclopedia.

For all the thirty years since its publication it had remained supreme in American numismatics.

To read an earlier E-Sylum article, see:
THE ONE HUNDRED GREATEST ITEMS OF U.S. NUMISMATIC LITERATURE (http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v12n25a06.html)

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