The E-Sylum v5#47, November 24, 2002
whomren at coinlibrary.com
whomren at coinlibrary.com
Sun Nov 24 18:58:31 PST 2002
Welcome to The E-Sylum: Volume 5, Number 47, November 24, 2002:
an electronic publication of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.
Copyright (c) 2002, The Numismatic Bibliomania Society.
SUBSCRIBER UPDATE
Recent subscribers include Roger Siboni, courtesy of
John Adams, and NBS member Tom Turissini. Welcome
aboard! We now have 506 subscribers.
ANNIVERSARIES
Today is the anniversary of hijacker D.B. Cooper's 1971
parachute jump into oblivion. The banknotes comprising
his $200,000 ransom take have never been reported found.
The topic was discussed last year in The E-Sylum (volume 4,
nos. 48 & 49). Today is also the 40th anniversary of Jack
Ruby's gunning down of President Kennedy's accused
assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. No numismatic connection
there, unless you count the hasty legislation replacing the
Franklin half dollar with the Kennedy half.
MORE KOLBE SALE RESULTS
Picking up where we left off last week, George Kolbe writes:
"A "mint" copy of Frank Andrew's classic 1883 work on large
cents brought $715 on a $450 estimate. Haxby's four volume
work on obsolete bank notes went for $605.
Some results achieved on works on ancient, medieval and
modern coins and medals follow: Banti & Simonetti's 18
volume work on Roman Imperial coins sold for $605; the
1975 reprint of the Weber collection of ancient Greek coins
brought $495 on a $325 estimate; a complete set of Burnett's
"Roman Provincial Coinage" received several strong bids and
realized $$797; the reprint of Mionnet's 19th century classic
multi-volume work on ancient coins exceeded its $750
estimate, bringing $1017; a photographic archive compiled by
Ray Byrne on West Indies and other coins sold for $935; two
leather-bound Mexican numismatic periodicals, the "Boletin"
and "Monedas," brought over double the pre-sale estimates,
$825 and $ 550 respectively; an original set of Svoronos'
work on Ptolemaic coins realized $1265; a rare 1897 work
on Russian numismatics, estimated to bring $350, was avidly
pursued by bidders in both America and in Russia, finally
selling for $1210.
A few copies of the sale catalogue are still available and
may be obtained, along with a prices realized list, by sending
$15.00 to Kolbe (for a short period, it may also be viewed
at the firm's web site: www.numislit.com). The firm's next sale
is scheduled for February 20, 2003 and important
consignments are currently being accepted. The firm may
be contacted at P.O. Drawer 3100, Crestline, CA 92325;
by telephone at 909-338-6527; or by email at
GFK at numislit.com."
THIAN ALBUM ARTICLE PUBLISHED
As promised earlier by Paper Money editor Fred Reed,
George B. Tremmel's article on "The Raphael P. Thian
Confederate Currency Collection" has been published in the
November/December issue of Paper Money, the official
publication of the Society of Paper Money Collectors, Inc.
The article provides background information on Thian,
his books, and collections of Confederate currency, gleaned
from the 490 boxes and barrels of captured Confederate
documents shipped to Washington D.C. in 1865.
TO THE OR NOT TO THE
Kerry K. Wetterstrom, Editor/Publisher of The Celator
writes: "In the spirit of "better late than never", I am finally
sending the results of my informal and not so scientific
poll of E-Sylum readers of whether the name of "The
Numismatist" should be modified by dropping the word
"The". I received 15 responses to my question, 13 of which
agreed with me that there should not be any change. The
other two responses were of the "wait and see" variety.
I was hoping for a larger "voter" turnout, but perhaps
mid-term apathy is an excuse or maybe the balance of
E-Sylum subscribers are not bothered by the name change
or simply don't care!
Joe Boling and Ben Keele both commented that there
could be problems with bibliographic references and
how libraries treat the publication (especially the Library
of Congress) and . Joe also commented that "It seems to
me that, even if the name on the cover drops the definite
article, the formal name of the journal should not change."
I would agree with Joe."
[I tend to agree as well. I was initially in the "no opinion"
camp, but it would be a shame if libraries end up cataloging
the pre-2003 issues separately from the 2003 and later
issues. The format has changed a number of times over
the past century or so, but it always remained the same
publication (and will continue to be the same publication
after the changeover). -Editor]
QUEEN'S COLLECTION COMING TO THE COLONIES.
Dick Johnson writes: "The keeper of Queen Elizabeth's Royal
Philatelic Collection let slip (on purpose?) that her royal stamp
collection will be sent to Washington DC in 2004 for exhibition
at the Old Post Office near D.C.'s Union Station.
Any royal numismatic collection you would like to see visit
the U.S.?"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7351-2002Nov18.html
MONEY AND SEX
Now there's a headline you don't see in The E-Sylum very
often. Hopefully, your spam detection software didn't toss
this issue in the garbage bin.
From an American Numismatic Society press release
regarding a lecture by Edward Cohen on Monday,
December 9th at 6pm, 513 Fayerweather Hall
Columbia University, New York:
"Edward E. Cohen will present a talk entitled "Money and
Sex: Ancient Athenian Banking Scandals."
Co-sponsored by the American Numismatic Society and
the Center for the Ancient Mediterranean at Columbia
University.
Cohen, who received a Ph.D. in Classics from Princeton
University and currently serves as the CEO of Resource
America, Inc., is the author of several books on ancient
economic and social matters including The Athenian Nation,
Athenian Economy and Society: A Banking Perspective,
and Ancient Athenian Maritime Courts.
For further information, please contact Peter van Alfen
at the American Numismatic Society 212-234-3130,
x216; e-mail: vanalfen at amnumsoc.org"
SUBSCRIBER PROFILE: TOM TURISSINI
Tom Turissini writes: "I collect 1794 large cents by die
variety and also am trying to duplicate the 12 piece pattern
one cent sets sold by the mint. With regard to literature, I
collect plated Chapman sales, plated Elders, and just about
anything relating to early American Copper."
BOOK CONDITION JUNKIES
Dick Johnson writes: "Are numismatic book collectors as
fanatic as first edition collectors? Perhaps so. Sure, I have
books in my library that are objects of veneration. But the
more sophisticated I become in building my library, the
more I want books for their CONTENT. I have said
before I consume books. I read and re-read. I make notes
in the margins. I talk back to the author. I dogear pages
(not intentionally, of course). And bindings are vulnerable.
I long ago lost the spine on my Julian U.S. Mint book. It
is held together only by the head and foot bands (and my
prayers), I believe.
Anyway, E-Sylum readers might enjoy reading the essay by
a kindred spirit (David Lovibond) who collects fiction in first
editions:
"Like all junkies, my most important relationship is with my
dealer. He must be cajoled and wheedled to remember me
first, I must pay any price he asks and be grateful for the
chance, and in no circumstances can there be the faintest
whisper of complaint about the quality of the supply.
To be sure, bibliomania is not a comfortable addiction. To
feed my craving for modern first editions, including my
beloved Williams and Jenningses, takes a fifth of my income
— more than I spend on food or my children. I have lost
entire weekends in a haze of book fairs and pilgrimages to
remote bookshops (which typically prove to be closed).
Friends and family have felt obliged to shun me lest I drag
them down with my sordid behaviour; my burblings of
cracked hinges, crushed spines and discoloured front-end
papers. I am abandoned to the company of quiet men in
cardigans."
"Harrington, who has a first in fine condition of J.K. Rowling’s
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone for sale at £25,000,
insists that books should not be thought of as ‘investment
vehicles’, but dealers acknowledge that serious collectors will
have an eye to the asset value of their books. In the case of
modern firsts, condition is everything. Books and their
wrappers are graded from ‘good’, which in fact means bad,
to ‘mint’, which is as new. The aim should be to buy the best
possible copy; eventual resale will depend on the original
non-restored condition. Harrington, for example, who is an
Ian Fleming expert, offered a restored copy of Casino Royale
at £5,000 but wanted £20,000 for a fine unrestored version.
The condition of the book itself is, though, only half the story.
‘With modern firsts the value of a book in a dust wrapper is
ten times that of one without,’ says Nigel Williams, a London-
based specialist in children's books, who recently sold a copy
of the notoriously difficult to find William the Lawless for
£2,000. Mr. Williams says that now that collectors can check
prices on the Internet, a book should cost no more on the
Charing Cross Road than in the unlettered provinces."
http://www.spectator.co.uk/article.php3?table=old§ion=current&issue=2002-11-16&id=2467
CHEAPER THAN A MISTRESS
A related sentiment comes from the rear cover of the volume
1, number 1 issue of our print journal, The Asylum (Summer,
1980). It is a quote from bibliophile Norman H. Strouse:
"Look upon books frankly as a vice, but one which leaves
respectable evidence of its pleasures to show for it. It's
cheaper than a mistress, and far more amenable to your mood
and convenience. And if you pursue book collecting properly,
chances are that you can't afford a mistress, and that alone will
save you a peck of trouble!"
ARGENTINA'S EMERGENCY MONEY
The economic situation in Argentina has led to a
situation not unlike that of the U.S. during the Great
Depression of the 1930s. Municipal governments,
strapped for cash amid falling tax revenues, have
stooped to issuing bonds to pay their employees.
These emergency notes are called "patacones",
and sound very similar to what U.S. collectors call
"Depression Scrip"
From an article in the BBC News dated August 21,
2001:
"From this week 150,000 people who work for the state
of Buenos Aires won't get all of their salary paid in cash.
Some of it will now be paid in one-year bonds, called
"patacones", nicknamed after a long defunct currency.
Already McDonalds in Buenos Aires is planning to accept
the currency and is launching a special meal deal called the
"Patacombo".
Cash machines at the provincial bank in Buenos Aires are
being loaded up with $90bn worth of the freshly minted
Patacones bills, named after a currency which was last
around 120 years ago.
These will pay the wages of local state employees earning
more than $740 a month. This state, like many others, is in
dire need of cash.
It has been hit by falling tax receipts, customers have been
withdrawing their savings from the banks, and credit is drying
up."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1501239.stm
A web search found this photo of patacones:
http://www.lafuma.fr/lafuma/fr/outdoors/cyril_nico/photo/fevrier/patacones.jpg
Can any of our E-Sylum readers provide more information
on the use of patacones? Are similar currencies appearing
elsewhere? Any what were the original patacones?
BOOKPLATES
George Kolbe writes: "I can't resist making a few observations
on the book inscription responses. I largely agree with Ralf
Böpple's points, though a book, carefully read, might still
properly be described as being in "mint state," it seems to me.
Years ago, I disagreed with a "Letter to the Editor" in a coin
publication which stated that a coin received in commerce
could not be "uncirculated." Technically, that may be so, but
in practice is a coin that displays no signs of wear not likely
to be deemed "mint state"? Ditto a book.
In my opinion, circular blindstamps are an abomination. I
like Bookplates (generally the smaller the better) but
adhesive-backed bookplates often contaminate the paper to
which they are attached (much like "scotch tape"). Ideally,
bookplates are unique - I find ones with typed-in owner's
names offputting but maybe I'm a snob. Annotations are
great if the writer knows his subject. Ditto inscriptions
(not "Happy Holidays from Aunt Bess" however estimable
Aunt Bess might be).
If you love your books and wish to identify them with an
ex libris, I'd suggest that you spend a few bucks and
commission your own bookplate. I've done two over the
years and will probably one day do another. There are lots
of good bookplate designers out there - or do it yourself
if you have an artistic eye."
THE MUSEUM DISCUSSION CONTINUES
Bob Leonard writes: " I would make a couple of points:
1. Contra Larry Lee, it is unfortunately NOT true that "most
objects in museums, including coins, are in fact very well
organized, even if they may not be numismatically attributed."
When researching small California gold for the second edition
of Breen-Gillio, California Pioneer Fractional Gold (now
being laid out by the publisher), I attempted to find out what
small California gold pieces--by BG number and weight --
were in the Byron Reed collection, "curated" by the Durham
Western Heritage Museum in Omaha. Despite repeated
e-mails and calls, the curator positively refused even to
reveal the SHAPE of the coins they had (with a single,
useless, exception), preventing this important early source
from being properly published. Their excuse was that they
knew nothing about them (I of course offered to attribute
them over the phone) and did not have a competent curator.
Local collectors advised me to complain to the Omaha city
council, but I gave up instead. A second museum, the
Sanford Museum and Planetarium of Cherokee, Iowa, had
at one time some jewelry made of small California gold
pieces that had been acquired in the mid-1870s. When I
asked for a description, it could not be located.
The aggravating thing is, that if the Byron Reed collection
had been sold at auction in its entirety, I would not have
to guess the BG numbers of its small California gold. I
probably wouldn't know the weights, but then I don't have
them now. And the California gold jewelry in Cherokee,
Iowa, has probably been stolen and robbed of its important
early pedigree.
2. Which brings me to Dave Bowers' remarks about a
state university collection that was looted except for a single
coin. When I attended (another?) state university, the
University of Illinois, they had a fine collection of ancient coins
on exhibit in Lincoln Hall, which later became the Museum of
World Cultures. Being interested in coins, I was given
permission to examine some pieces not on display. In an
envelope supposedly containing a Roman gold coin, I found
a Lincoln cent!
In my opinion, coin collections should not be donated to
anything but real numismatic museums, with professional
numismatist curators, secure vaults, closed-circuit TV,
sign-in sheets for visitors, etc., etc., such as the ANS,
ANA, or British Museum. Even the ANS has had thefts,
but losses at institutions run by amateurs are just about
guaranteed--and the material is less accessible to scholars
than if it had been sold."
A LITERATE ENGRAVER: ANDREW BELL
A recent issue of NewsScan Daily included an interesting item
about a remarkable engraver, Andrew Bell, who engraved
banknotes of the Royal Bank of Scotland as well as the
illustrations for the early editions of the Encyclopaedia
Britannica.
"Creating the Encyclopædia Britannica was the joint idea of
Bell and Macfarquhar, who drew their inspiration for the
publication from the success of Diderot's Encyclopédie,
which in turn had been inspired by the impressive
Cyclopaedia brought out in 1728 by the London globe-maker
Ephraim Chambers. Obtaining subscribers and seeing to the
printing and other publishing details became the responsibility
of Bell and Macfarquhar, while Smellie, an Edinburgh
intellectual of proven scholarship, looked after the editing,
writing and arrangement of articles."
"Bell's business consisted of engraving letters, names, and
crests on gentlemen's plate, dog's collars and so forth. He
was never greatly admired as an engraver, and many of his
plates for the first, second, and third editions of the Britannica
are more highly regarded today than in his own time. How
the arrangement between Bell and Macfarquhar to produce
an encyclopaedia was made is not known; but it was Bell
who engaged Smellie as compiler of the first edition, and his
interest in the publication never flagged. He shared
proprietorship with Macfarquhar, and in 1793, after
Macfarquhar's death, he became sole proprietor."
Does anyone have access to information on Andrews Bell's
banknote engraving activities?
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WELL, YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE
From Arlyn Sieber's book on Krause Publishing, "Pioneer
Publisher," comes this anecdote about early efforts of Cliff
Mischler and Chet Krause to compile listings for the first
Standard Catalog of World Coins:
"Chet and Cliff gathered the listings they had accumulated
so far and took inventory. While Cliff concentrated on
Numismatic News and Coins Magazine, Chet set out to
fill in the gaps in the world-coin listings. He started working
the phones. Who collects Belgian coins? Who's an
authority on Japan? Who knows something about Middle
East? Among those his networking drummed up was Colin
Bruce in upstate New York. By day, Colin worked on
rehabilitating heavy construction equipment. By night and
on weekends, he worked on his world-coin collection and
dabbled as a dealer at local coin shows.
He was also an expert on coins of India and agreed to
review the listings for this fledgling Red Book of world
coins.
"Send me everything you have so far," Colin told Cliff on
the phone one day.
Cliff responded by shipping a ream of blank paper."
FEATURED WEB SITE
This week's featured web site is Jean Philippe Fontanille's
Menorah Coin Project, online since November 15, 2002.
"The MENORAH COIN PROJECT is a vast project
consisting of a die by die indexing, classification and
representation of Biblical coins. Each die is identified by a
reference number beginning by an "R" for regular dies or a
"V" for those presenting a variation to the norm. The
reference number used is the same as in David Hendin's
Guide to Biblical Coins."
http://www.menorahcoinproject.org/
Wayne Homren
Numismatic Bibliomania Society
The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a
non-profit organization promoting numismatic
literature. For more information please see
our web site at http://www.coinbooks.org/
There is a membership application available on
the web site. To join, print the application and
return it with your check to the address printed
on the application. For those without web access,
write to David Sklow, NBS Secretary-Treasurer,
P.O. Box 76192, Ocala, FL 34481.
For Asylum mailing address changes and other
membership questions, contact Dave at this email
address: sdsklow at aol.com
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