"I've been reading with interest the recent explorations of Dealer Coin Envelopes. I have a bit to add to the coverage that has been offered up to this point.

"Some years ago, as I recall it was at the ANA National Money Show in Portland, I observed the display of a collection of coins that had ben acquired from the Tatham Stamp & Coin Company back in the early post-WWII years . . . complete with the envelopes the coins had been marketed in . . . that had been mounted by Gawain O'Connor. Chatting with Gawain as I was admiring the presentation, I offered that I would be interested in acquiring the collection if he ever determined to let go of it.

"A couple years later Gawain contacted me to inquire if my offer was still good . . . which I affirmed . . . so the collection became mine. I have subsequently exhibited it, non-competitively, on perhaps as many as a half-dozen occasions . . . Central States, Michigan State and PAN seem to come readily to mind . . . over a period of a couple years . . . several years ago.. Guess I should drag the exhibit out and share it some more one of these days.

"My interest in acquiring the collection stemmed from the fact that my very first numismatic acquisition was a selection of approval offerings from Tatham, back in 1950, so the envelopes were readily recognizable . . . but I hadn't saved any of them at the time . . . thus the motivation for a nostalgic acquisition."

Great story. This is the fun of collecting! -Editor

"I saw the little blurb about the Goebel Coin Collector figurine. I went on eBay and snapped one up. I had no idea they even made this. One more item for the coin room."

"Here she is hanging out with the Seleucids. "

She seems quite content! Happy collecting! -Editor

 

"I purchased a flexible, aluminum printing plate on eBay which was likely used for letterhead or some similar identifying document. William Bromley was a coin dealer active during the 1960s in Laurel, Maryland. His membership in the RCDA (Retail Coin Dealers Association) places it in that time period, as this organization was fairly short-lived. I believe it was created as an alternative to the Professional Numismatists Guild, which in those days was a very exclusive club. I recall reading that Sol Kaplan worked very hard to keep it that way, offending a lot of excluded dealers in the process. Eventually, the PNG loosened up a bit, and there was no longer a need for the RCDA.

I couldn't find much about Bromley at the Newman Numismatic Portal or The Numismatist archives, but I did learn that his membership application to the ANA was published in the April 1963 issue of The Numismatist. He was member 49284. I'd be interested in knowing whether readers can add anything to his story."

"I knew Bill, as I was just starting out as a dealer. He would occasionally attend coin shows and had the shop in downtown Laurel. He played cards with some of the local dealers from time to time. He kind of faded away in the late 1960's."

I also checked with Dave Schenkman, and Dave checked with Gene Brandenburg, but neither remembered dealings with Bromley. Dave didn't move to the area until 1971. Can anyone add more? -Editor

"I was going through my late father's effects when I found a group of photos that date to his Army basic training in Miami Beach during August-September of 1943. One of them has printed on its back "Col. E.H.R. Green Estate, Star Island, Miami Beach, Florida." It's a stock photo sold to tourists and not one he took himself, but it's fun to think that he made an unwitting numismatic connection while there."

   

   
Colonel Green Estate - Miami Beach 1943

Thanks - interesting connection. -Editor