MORE ON JAMES C. RISK

Your note about James C. Risk, "a friend of the Queen" is correct. During World War II, Jim was a Naval Attache to Russia and also worked in England.

Jim was an authority on English medals and badges, and the British Government, after the war, wanted the military medals and badges, put back in order, re-identified and even have some of the ribbons replaced. The Royal Family for many centuries retained the orders given by or to Royalty, by the existing Royal Family members, and were retained, not in perfect order, and some were even misplaced and had to be found, and were stored in the Tower of London for safe keeping. During World War I and later in World War II they were moved from the storage at the Tower, and put in a safe place, until after each of the World Wars were over.

James C. Risk, having studied and knew quite a bit, if not completely, the history of each of the medals - who they were given to, which went to the ruling King or Queen, at the appropriate times in their reign - and therefore was asked by Her Majesty to help the local scholars to put the decorations, and medals in perfect order once again. Jim would spend his monthly holiday in England, reviewing and placing the proper identification on each medal and declaration so that they are now on full exhibit in the Tower, for all to see and admire.

The Queen was so impressed with his work and ability, that she would visit with him when he was in London, to review the progress he made and to personally re-examine the items as they were replaced to the exhibit.

Just for his numismatic abilities, Jim was with Stack's as a cataloguer for over three decades, and besides cataloging, he ran Stack's Foreign and Ancient company, Coin Galleries, edited and help create many of its catalogs, (which were mainly by Mail Bid Only), in both the Foreign and Ancient fields they specialized in, and was a very important member of the New York collector organization, and gave lectures to many of the local clubs, and at the American Numismatic Society.

We were proud that he was part of our staff, as well as a close friend of the Stack Family.

To read the complete article, see:
HARVEY STACK'S NUMISMATIC FAMILY, PART 36 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v22/esylum_v22n04a19.html)

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