MOROCCO 100 FRANC PROOFS

 

Arthur Morowitz died a few weeks ago (1943-2023). Arthur started out in the entertainment business where he was well knon nationally. He was best known these days as the owner of Champion Stamp Company. Among many other things tanley was proud of the fact that Champion is the last stamp company in New York City to have a street level shop.

Arthur was a friend of the greater MPC community. I did not obtain a lot of notes from Arthur, but the two that I recall were special! Arthur knew that I collect everything related to the E A Wright Bank Note Company and like any good dealer, he watched for items for me.

One of the items that he found was quite spectacular. It was a set of Wright color/stage proofs of the World War II Morocco 100 franc that was printed by Wright. He had it for me at an ANA convention. He handed me the envelope with a twinkle in his eye. You will certainly understand that as you look at the images here. There is more to the story--much more.

The envelope was heavy. After I got over my shock at seeing such beautiful notes, there was still more in the envelope. I pulled out a second set of the proofs! Then a third set! Wow. You will be really surprised at the next thing. Something happened that never happens to me. I am often offered things that I like, but never in a situation like this. I am sure that my poker face was shot. Without having to ask, Arthur gave me the price--an absurdly LOW price. I did not quibble. I paid the price and hurried down the aisle. I did not want him to change his mind.

I took two of the sets to an MPCFest and sold the two "extra sets." I made the same mistake that Arthur did. I sold them for absurdly low prices! I regretted my offer the instant that I made it, but both sets, make that all three sets, now have good homes.

There is one final little twist. Within the last year, Arthur asked me if I remembered the Wright proof sets. Did I remember them? Wow. He followed up by asking if I still had one available or, if not, might I be able to get one back for him. Of course there was no chance. All three sets were in "strong hands" as they say.

The images that you see here have been placed in the manuscript of World War II Remembered 2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To read an earlier E-Sylum article, see:
ARTHUR H. MOROWITZ (1943-2023) (https://www.coinbooks.org/v26/esylum_v26n38a11.html)

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