JEWELL, HAMELBERG AND THE SPECIAL ADAMS-WOODIN

PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE FULL ISSUE PREV FULL ISSUE

V23 2020 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 23, Number 46, November 15, 2020, Article 9

E-Sylum readers know Dan Hamelberg as an NBS Board Member, donor, U.S. coin collector and numismatic bibliophile - he's built what is likely the largest and best private library on American numismatics. Rich Jewell edits The Clarion for the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists and is quite a collector himself, including three dollar gold pieces, U.S. commemoratives, patterns, tokens, medals and medallic artwork such as plasters and galvanos. Rich is also a buyer of numismatic literature and shares this story of how he first encountered Dan in the marketplace. -Editor

Elliott Smith special Adams-Woodin cover2

November 8th's E-Sylum article on Edgar Holmes Adams by John Lupia brought to mind my own experience with the Adams-Woodin book "United States Pattern, Trial and Experimental Pieces." Back in 2005 Heritage Auctions had the book in one of its auctions, I believe it was their Palm Beach Signature Sale, Session #7. I bid on the book and won it.

Shortly thereafter I was called by Greg Rohan, President of Heritage and asked if I'd give up the book. I asked why, and he stated there had been "a computer glitch" and another regular customer of theirs had bid higher but the computer had overlooked his bid. Being relatively new to auction bidding at the time I simply said I won the bid and I wanted the book (I had just started collecting patterns and thought this would be a great find for my growing library). Greg then asked if it was alright if he gave my name and phone number to the other bidder. I said fine but I wasn't going to change my mind.

Elliott Smith special Adams-Woodin spine

Well later in the day I received a phone call from a fellow by the name of Dan Hamelberg (and being new to book collecting I really had no idea who he was) and after introductions he asked me how many books I had in my library. Not trying to be a smart-Alec I think I told him "one!" We carried on the conversation for a few more minutes before I told him I wasn't ready to sell the book at this time. He informed me he had another copy of the book but this one was in much better condition and he thought it would go great in his library. We ended the call with pleasantries and that was over fifteen years ago.

Interestingly, our late friend American numismatic bibliophile Armand Champa had also been a collector of U.S. pattern coinage before discovering the joys of numismatic literature. Rich kindly shared photos of his prize, Elliott Smith's leatherbound special edition, #5 of 50. Thanks. This variant is missing in my own library. From the catalog description: "According to Pete Smith's American Numismatic Biographies, Elliott Smith was ANA Life Member number 1, a council member of the ANS, and a founding member of the New York Numismatic Club." -Editor

"I remember the book. In addition to the edition in question, I have an interleaved blue cover first edition copy signed by the authors. I also have Woodin's special first edition copy #1 in brown leather and gilt with other notes and photos tipped in, and William Guild's annotated copy as well. Along the way I have collected various editions in various formats along with a few autographed editions. Makes for a great story!"

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
EDGAR HOLMES ADAMS (1868-1940) (https://www.coinbooks.org/v23/esylum_v23n45a16.html)