The E-Sylum v6#47, November 2, 2003
whomren at coinlibrary.com
whomren at coinlibrary.com
Sun Nov 2 20:51:42 PST 2003
Welcome to The E-Sylum: Volume 6, Number 47, November 2, 2003:
an electronic publication of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.
Copyright (c) 2003, The Numismatic Bibliomania Society.
SUBSCRIBER UPDATE
Among recent new subscribers are Karl Kabelac, courtesy
of Nick Graver, and Gawain O'Connor. Welcome aboard!
We now have 600 subscribers! Karl was #600 at the time
he subscribed, but we lost another subscriber in the meantime.
Gawain's subscription brought us back to 600. It would be
nice to end the year with a healthy margin above 600. If you
know someone who might be interested in our publication,
please invite them to subscribe.
KOLBE UPDATE: STILL NO POWER, BUT PROPERTY SAFE
Bill Rosenblum writes: "We're optimistic that things seem to
be looking better for George and his family and his books.
Wednesday we had wildfires raging in Colorado but the
temperatures dropped 50 plus degrees in 12 hours, plus
light winds and freezing rain made us all very happy. Had
dinner last night with Jesse Patrick and both he and I send
our best to George."
Bill McDonald writes: "Please convey to George the concerns
of those of us at the Classical & Medieval Numismatic Society
for him and his family - in fact on behalf of all numismatists in
Canada as we, in a number of areas in Canada have gone
through what George and his family are experiencing, although
not on such a large scale as the tragic events now unfolding in
California. Also we welcome the recent news that the situation
may be getting under control and hope and pray that all danger
may soon be over."
Barry Tayman writes: "Thanks for the update and the continued
good news. We are all grateful for your assistance in keeping
us informed. Hopefully, George's house and contents will
continue to be spared."
Ray Williams writes: "Thanks Wayne for keeping us informed as
to the Kolbe's being okay and that their home is ok so far.
I'll share this info with the colonial egroups."
This afternoon the following note appeared on George's
web site (http://www.numislit.com):
Due to fire threat in Crestline:
11/2/03 1:00 PM PST
Evacuation for most of Crestline has been lifted.
George has returned home. Office, house and
property fine. No power. Phone problematical.
No FAX or Internet.
We can all breathe a sigh of relief now. With luck George
will be back online by next week and will provide us with
a first-person update.
SO WHAT WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU?
David Gladfelter writes: "Thanks for this info. I am reminded of
the question asked by the character in H. G. Welles's Time
Machine, if you could choose only one book from your library
to take with you, which one would it be? I have no idea how to
answer that question and I would hate to be in a situation where
I would have to, but that's what has happened to 2,600 families
in the paths of the California wildfires, thankfully not including
George and Linda."
[So, dear readers, how would you answer the question?
If you could save just one item from your numismatic library,
what would it be, and why? -Editor]
THE LATEST ASYLUM
E. Tomlinson Fort, the editor of our print journal, The Asylum,
writes: "It has been wonderful to see all the outpouring of good
wishes for George Kolbe and his family during these fire
disasters in California.
While the Kolbe's remain in our prayers let us not forget the
thousands who have lost homes and possessions during this
tragedy. Also, stop and remember the firemen who are daily
risking their lives battling these fires. On National Public Radio
yesterday they interviewed a fireman who had been on the
front line 36 hours without break for either food or sleep.
During the interview he was finally getting a chance to have
some breakfast which would be followed by a few hours sleep.
These men and women are the true heroes of this crisis and
they deserve thanks and generosity of the entire country.
On a happier note, The Asylum is on its way to the printer
and should be arriving in people's mailboxes within the next
fortnight. The contents are:
"Recollections of D. Wayne Johnson" as told to Pete Smith.
"Ghostwriting in Numismatics," by David W. Lange.
"The Printer’s Devil: Bowers, Books and Bloviation,"
by Joel J. Orosz.
"About the Cover: A Rare Vellum Edition of Andrea Fulvio’s
Illustrium Imagines," by George Frederick Kolbe
"President’s Message," by Pete Smith.
"Numismatic Literature Bibliography 2000-2003,"
by E. Tomlinson Fort..
The Fall 2003 issue is almost finished and we hope to have
it on its way to the printer in a couple of weeks."
NEW ENGLAND SIXPENCE WITHDRAWN
Alan V. Weinberg writes: "For those who hadn't heard, the
New England sixpence in the Oct 22 Bonham sale in London
was withdrawn "for further study" due to serious questions
posted via email from a number of numismatists.
This info came from Andrew Litherland, Bonham's numismatic
cataloguer."
BOOK STORAGE QUESTION
Granvyl Hulse, Numismatics International Librarian writes:
"The NI Library must store a number of its books because of
lack of shelf space. The box is not a problem, but I would like
to know what to use to wipe off the covers before inserting
them in the box. Should something be placed between the
books to keep them from touching each other, and if so what,
and is it okay to use silica jell in each box to absorb any
moisture?
BUILT-IN BOOKCASES
Speaking of book storage, while waiting in line at Home
Depot last week I noticed that the latest issue of the
This Old House magazine has a feature article about
built-in bookcases. (Issue No. 73, November 2003)
The article isn't online, however.
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/magazines/currentissue/
I was running an errand for the Pennsylvania Association
of Numismatists coin show and convention last weekend.
It was setup day, and the crew was running out of extension
cords. So I stopped to buy some. Forty of them, actually.
That raised a few eyebrows in the checkout aisle. So I
told them my cell phone battery died....
IDELL LOT 630 SALE PRICE NEEDED
David F. Fanning, Editor-in-Chief of our print journal,
The Asylum writes: "I need to know what lot 630 brought
in the Bangs sale of the Idell collection (Catalogued by E.J.
Attinelli), January 8-9, 1878. A buyer's name would be
great, too, if someone has it. Thanks."
[By the way, congratulations are in order for David. He
received his Ph.D. in English from the Ohio State University
on Tuesday! -Editor]
NOSTALGIC GERMANS
On Wednesday, October 29, the Reuters news service
reported that: "Almost two years after the introduction of the
euro, nostalgic Germans are hoarding some 25 billion
Deutschmark coins -- worth about $4.2 billion -- as souvenirs.
The number of coins being held is about half the 49 billion
Deutschmark coins in circulation just before the single
European currency was launched in January 2001, said
Bundesbank spokeswoman Gabriele Reitz-Werner on Tuesday."
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?storyID=3714202
BACKUP E-SYLUM ARCHIVE
Bruce Perdue, our volunteer webmaster writes: "This address
allows you access to all of the E-Sylum newsletters that have
been sent since September 2002.
http://archives.binhost.com/~esylum/
[Binhost is the company that manages our mailing list and
forwards The E-Sylum to everyone on the list. They post
a copy on their server automatically, any this has been taking
place since we started using them in September 2002. So it
makes a nice backup copy of The E-Sylum and is one place
to turn if the latest issue isn't yet on our society website
(http://www.coinbooks.org).
LANKAN CATALOG INDEX SOUGHT
Kavan Ratnatunga writes: "My interest is in coins that
circulated in Lanka, for which the primary reference is
Codrington's Coins and Currency of Ceylon published
in 1924. It lists (pp 36-45) many ancient Greek and
Roman coins which have been found in Ceylon.
However, the identifications given are to
1) G.C.H.C. Greek coins in the Huntarian Collection.
Vol III George MacDonald, Glasgow, 1905
2) C. Medailles Imperiales, H. Cohen, Paris 1880-1892
3) T. Monnaises Byzantines, J. Tolstoi, Petersburgh 1912
Please let me know if anyone has worked out a cross
index from these catalog references to those of modern
catalogs, as online in websites such as wildwinds. Any
advice on how to create such an index will also be
appreciated.
With best regard
Kavan at lakdiva.org
http://lakdiva.org/coins/"
SOCIETY OF/FOR INTERNATIONAL NUMISMATICS
Gar Travis found a few tidbits about the Society of
International Numismatics on the web, but so far no
one has been able to confirm that the society is still
active. Some of the references use "OF" in the society's
name, and some use "FOR". So we're unclear on the
exact name of the group as well. If anyone can straighten
us out, please let us know.
MORE NUMISMATIC DEFINITIONS
In his search Gar located an interesting page on Howard
Daniel's web site. It consists of definitions of certain areas
of numismatics as defined by The Society for International
Numismatics. I've duplicated the text here for E-Sylum
readers. (Hopefully, I won't get a scolding email from
Howard in Vietnam). The web page reference is:
http://www.seasiantreasury.com/Title_Bar_Pages/definitions.htm
Exonumia: is that area of numismatics which deals with
primitive media of exchange; substitutes for money like hard
times tokens and scrip but no gold; special purpose tokens
and scrip like transportation, vending amusement, parking
tokens and canteen chits; patterns, essays, trial pieces,
experimental pieces and pieforts; pieces de plaisir, mint sports
and off metal pieces; jetons and counters; medals, medallions
and medalets; orders and decorations; coin weights; coin
scales; and charms, amulets and temple pieces. Source: The
Society for International Numismatics, 1974.
Mesonumia: is that area of numismatics which deals with all
coins and paper money which could have circulated as money,
but did not, due to their being used as backing for currency,
or for any other reason which kept it from general circulation.
This includes proofs, specimen and presentation pieces and
sets of general circulating coinage or paper money,
commemorative issues of coinage or paper money to raise
money and not otherwise meant for circulation, bullion coinage,
and mules and hybrid coins. Source: The Society for
International Numismatics, 1974.
Numia: is that area of numismatics which deals exclusively
with circulating medium of exchange; specifically, all coins
and paper money which is or was used in general circulation
for everyday commerce. This includes regular general coinage,
regular issues of paper money, commemoratives put into
general circulation, tokens and scrip in general circulation before
government issues, obsidional and siege pieces, only those
restrickes which are put into general circulation, and limited
general issue for special purposes like military payment
certificates. Source: The Society for International Numismatics,
1974.
Pseudonumia: is that are a of numismatics which deals with
those items which were produced to exploit numismatists and
collectors. This includes counterfeits, spurious pieces and
forgeries; Beckers, paduans and jewelry; fantasy pieces and
pieces de fantaises; restrickes, abschlag and refreppe; and
electrotypes and replicas. Source: The Society for International
Numismatics, 1974.
THIRD EDITION COUNTERFEIT CD AVAILABLE
Referring to his CD of "18th Century Contemporary
Counterfeits, British & Irish," Clem Schettino writes:
"I would like to announce that my CD is about to be
released in its Third Edition. I have added approximately
100 more images. You can find more information about
it here:
http://www.geocities.com/copperclem/Counterfeits_page3.html
The pricing structure is as follows...
I sell them for $45 to "people", $25 to researcher-cataloger
types. I charge $12 for Third Editions if you already have
purchased Edition One or Two. I plan to charge $5 for the
Third Editions if you hold both One AND Two. $5 each is
what I pay to have them burned, labeled and for supplies
and the time of my editor.
At $5 I would like to hand deliver them at the C4 convention
or would appreciate a couple of dollars for postage and a
padded mailer.
I will have a limited number of CD's with me at the C4
convention so if you would like to purchase yours there
please email me with you order. Thanks for your support."
VIETNAMESE REFERENCE: BANKNOTES OF NAM BO
Howard A. Daniel III writes: "By the time you have read this
here, I will be back from a four day visit to Hanoi looking for
my numismatic and related stuff. All available time not seeing
people will be in book stores! One book that was unknown
to me, I have been told, is available in Hanoi but not here in
Ho Chi Minh City is "Dong Tien Nam Bo Khang Chien, Dong
Tien Viet Nam Chien Thang" (Banknotes of Nam Bo in
Resistance Time, Banknote of Vietnam's Victory" and it was
published by the Ngan Hang Nha Nuoc (State Bank) in July
1993. I have been told it has 155 pages and is 12x33 cm in
size.
"Nam Bo" is the southern third of Viet Nam or what used to
be French Cochinchina. The "victory" in the title is when
they defeated the French in 1954. Books here are usually
printed in low numbers (1000-5000) for a population of
about 80 million, so I am not too optimistic of finding one
or more copies, but I will be looking for it. If I find it, and
there is more than one in their supply, I will try to buy at
least five of them so I can distribute them to others
interested in this area."
AMAZON'S FULL TEXT SEARCH
Responding to last week's item about the new full-text
book search at Amazon.com, Ed Sible reports:
"Three fully searchable numismatic books in Amazon's new
program are:
Handbook of Ancient Greek and Roman Coins (Klawans),
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/030709362X
Ancient History from Coins (Howgego),
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/041508993X
Coin Collecting For Dummies (Guth),
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0764553895"
The December 2003 issue of Wired magazine will feature an
article titled "The Great Library of Amazonia" by Gary Wolf.
The article has been posted online, and I've extracted a few
sections of note to researchers.
"The fondest dream of the information age is to create an
archive of all knowledge. You might call it the Alexandrian
fantasy, after the great library founded by Ptolemy I in 286 BC.
Through centuries of aggressive acquisition, the librarians of
Alexandria, Egypt, collected hundreds of thousands of texts.
None survives. During a final wave of destruction, in AD 641,
invaders fed the bound volumes and papyrus scrolls into the
furnaces of the public baths, where they are said to have
burned for six months. "The lesson," says Brewster Kahle,
founder of the Internet Archive, "is to keep more than one
copy."
"Books are an ancient and proven medium. Their physical
form inspires passion. But their very physicality makes books
inaccessible to the multi-terabyte databases of modern
Alexandrian projects. Books take time to transport. Their
text vanishes and their pages yellow in a rash of foxing. Most
important, it's still shockingly difficult to find information
buried in books. Even as the Internet has revived hope of a
universal library and Google seems to promise an answer to
every query, books have remained a dark region in the
universe of information. We want books to be as accessible
and searchable as the Web. On the other hand, we still
want them to be books."
"An ingenious attempt to illuminate the dark region of books
is under way at Amazon.com. Over the past spring and
summer, the company created an unrivaled digital archive
of more than 120,000 books. The goal is to quickly add
most of Amazon's multimillion-title catalog."
"And yet most books are not on the Net. This means that
students, among others, are blind to the most important
artifacts of human knowledge. For many students, the
Internet actually contracts the universe of knowledge,
because it makes the most casual and ephemeral sources
the most accessible, while ignoring the published books.
"It's shameful,"
[One key point the article makes is that the value of the
feature is in the connections researchers can now among
a vast array of books on all subjects. Heretofore unknown
mentions of numismatic topics could be brought to light.
For example, a newly-published diary of a Civil War era
soldier might mention the use of coins and scrip or sutler
notes. Such primary accounts are needles in a haystack
today, but a powerful search tool could enable researchers
to find them much more easily.
To read the full article, see:
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,60948,00.html
YEATS REFERENCES
Gawain O'Connor writes: I saw the reference to W.B. Yeats
and the design of Irish coinage. (Sept. 28, 2003). If it wasn't
mentioned, perhaps your readers would like to know that the
article Designing Of Ireland's Coinage (W. B. Yeats) was
reprinted in "The Numismatist", Vol.80 1967 April Pg. 411
and also in The Coinage and Banknotes of Ireland 1928-68
by Jerome H. Remick, Almanzar's 1967. "
CANADA TAKES OVER ENGLAND
Gawain O'Connor adds: "On a completely different topic,
something I recently noticed: Did you know that Mr. Canada
is president of the Bank of England?
The Bank of England, Arkansas, that is!
http://www.bankofengland-ar.com/
Thanks for your great work!"
FEATURED WEB PAGE
This week's featured web page pictures the old and
new coins of Germany.
http://utenti.lycos.it/numismaticait/germania/welcome.html
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 W. David Perkins, NBS Secretary-Treasurer,
P.O. Box 212, Mequon, WI 53092-0212.
For Asylum mailing address changes and other
membership questions, contact David at this email
address: wdperki at attglobal.net
To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum,
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at this address: whomren at coinlibrary.com
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