QUERY: HOBART'S DENVER MINT BOOKLET

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V28 2025 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 28, Number 42, 2025, Article 15

Roger Burdette poses an interesting question for U.S. researchers and bibliophiles. -Editor

According to a letter of July 10, 1914 Denver Mint Watchman E[dwin] L. Hobart prepared a booklet describing mint processes. He intended to sell the booklet to mint visitors and had talked with the Superintendent"s personal secretary about the booklets. No one told him that employees were prohibited from selling pamphlets or souvenirs at the mint. He had 1,000 copies printed plus an advertising flyer, and was preparing to sell booklets when he was advised to get permission from mint director George Roberts.

Hobart wrote to Roberts who replied to Denver Mint Superintendent Thomas Annear that he would grant Hobart permission to sell the booklet ––

"In view of the fact which is not questioned, that Mr. Hobart was acting in good faith and without knowledge that what he proposed to do was contrary to the rules, I am disposed to allow him to sell the edition of 1000 copies which he has had printed on condition that the public shall not be solicited to buy, and that the attention of visitors shall be directed to the pamphlet in an entirely unobjectionable manner."
[RG104 E-235 Vol 403]

But the next day Roberts received one of Hobart"s advertising flyers sent anonymously,

"It illustrates that it is impossible to permit anything of this kind without causing criticism."
[RG104 E-229 Box 302. July 11,1914.]

Superintendent Annear was having none of it and quashed Hobart"s little venture.

"…I received your letter of the 10th giving him permission to sell 1000 copies. However, I have ordered the sale of the booklet and the giving of all circulars in connection therewith discontinued…. It seems this is the best way…."
[RG104 E-229 Box 302. July 14,1914.]

Has anyone seen a copy of Edwin Hobart"s booklet? A few must have been sold before it was discontinued – likely to visitors from the Denver vicinity.

Great question - can anyone help? I don't recognize the Hobart name. -Editor