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&section=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?

   To subscribe or unsubscribe to NewsScan Daily, send the
   appropriate subscribe or unsubscribe messages (i.e., with
   the word 'subscribe' or 'unsubscribe' in the subject line) to
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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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