DAVE PERKINS: THE DAY I STOPPED THE PRESS

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V25 2022 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 25, Number 18, May 1, 2022, Article 8

With permission, we're republishing an article by NBS Board member W. David Perkins. Dave's piece on correcting errors in the first printing of the 1999 edition of Jules Reiver's early silver dollars book was originally published in the March 2022 issue of the John Reich Journal, the official publication of the John Reich Collectors Society. -Editor

At some point in time Russ Logan sent me a package. Included was an e-mail note exchange between Russ and I dated Wednesday April 21, 1999.

Subject: Re: Jules Book

David:

Save all your notes, e-mails and correspondence on Jules' book in a safe place.

In fifteen years, they will make a great article!

Best……………………………………………………Russ

Jules' book was THE UNITED STATES EARLY SILVER DOLLARS 1794 to 1803 published by Krause Publications (1999). This book was to take the place of Milferd H. Bolender's THE UNITED STATES EARLY SILVER DOLLARS from 1794 to 1803 which had been first published in 1950.

Jules had updated the Bolender silver dollar book over the years for Krause Publications, primarily with changes in the rarity ratings and the addition of any new early dollar die marriages. Krause and Jules were jointly working on a new book to be published under Jules' name.

Both Krause and Jules were pushing hard to get the book published as soon as possible. Jules took all the photos from coins in his collection of early dollars by die marriage and die state and sent them to Krause for publication in the book.

I was a contributor to the book but was not given a chance to review it before publication. I'm not sure if Jules was asked to review it either (?).

On March 3, 1999 I received a few copies of the book from the publisher. It didn't take long to realize there were MAJOR PROBLEMS. I first spotted a 1799 B-10 Dollar mixed in with the 1798s. I quickly found other incorrect plate coins. I worked from home at the time and took a little time off that afternoon to go through the book and attributed every plate coin. According to my notes I found 20 incorrect plate photos.

I immediately notified the editor and suggested she may want to Stop the Press! In reality, it was too late as boxes of the books had already been shipped to distributors. I learned this when our JRCS President and Editor called me and asked what was going on. He had received the books he'd ordered from his distributor who was asking for the books to be returned.

The copies printed prior to the errors being discovered have the copyright listed as:

Much of March 1999 was spent correcting the plates and book. I sent a list of the errors and corrections and in April 1999 the corrected book was published and distributed. I have an original copy with errors and my correspondence with the Editor of the book.

The copies printed after the recall and corrections have 2nd Printing added, as follows:

2nd Printing

Image: Page 41 from the first printing of the Reiver Book. The 1799 B-10 Dollar is clearly out of sequence and is surrounded by 1798s.

For more information on the John Reich Collectors Society, see:
https://www.jrcs.org/