The E-Sylum v7#19, May 9, 2004

[whomren at coinlibrary.com]

Welcome to The E-Sylum: Volume 7, Number 19, May 9, 2004:
an electronic publication of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.
Copyright (c) 2004, The Numismatic Bibliomania Society.


SUBSCRIBER UPDATE

   Among recent new subscribers is Jim Lucas, the marketing &
   communications director at the American Numismatic
   Association, courtesy of David Sklow.   Welcome aboard!
   We now have 658 subscribers.


KOLBE FORD AUCTION CATALOGUES

   George Kolbe writes: "As of Monday May 3rd, the last of the
   June 1, 2004 John J. Ford, Jr. Library auction sale catalogues
   went out in the mail. Those not currently on our mailing list may
   order a printed catalogue by sending $35.00 ($37.71 for
   California residents) to George Frederick Kolbe. P. O. Drawer
   3100, Crestline, CA 92325-3100. Supplies are limited.

   We are also pleased to announce that, for the first time, a fully
   illustrated catalogue is accessible at our web site:
   www.numislit.com, along with an unillustrated version as usual.
   Comments are invited.

   Those wishing to attend the sale are advised that, subject to
   availability, special room rates may still be available at the
   Mission Inn. Please visit our web site for further information."


NBS ASYLUM ADVERTISERS WANTED

   David F. Fanning, Editor-in-Chief of our print journal writes:
   "I am soliciting ads for both the Spring and Summer 2004
   issues of The Asylum, the quarterly journal of the Numismatic
   Bibliomania Society.  While the Spring issue will be a normal
   issue of the journal, I'd like to remind everyone that the
   Summer issue will be a special issue to commemorate the
   25th anniversary of the organizational meeting of our Society.

   The special Summer issue will be considerably larger in size
   than a normal issue (at least 150 pages and perhaps a good
   deal more) and the plan is to publish a special limited edition
   hardcover version as well as the usual card-covered version.
   It will feature outstanding research from bibliophiles and
   researchers from across the globe, with a special emphasis
   on works of the highest quality.

   Ad rates for the Spring issue are the same as usual: $60 for
   a full page, $30 for a half page.

   Ad rates for the special Summer issue are $100 per page
   (no half page rate available).

   We would like all advertising materials for both of these
   issues as soon as possible. If you have questions about the
   technical requirements, please contact Editor Tom Fort at
   <etfort at comcast.net>.

   Thank you for your support of the Numismatic Bibliomania
   Society."


E-SYLUM AND ITS MEMBERS AMONG THE BEST

   Peter Koch writes: "The Internet is populated with sites
   offering regularly updated information to its visitors.
   "Updates made weekly, be sure to visit us often."
   Unfortunately, it's a promise that's tough to keep. Revisits
   to many of these sites reveal no new information, or that no
   one has updated the site in any way for months, or longer.
   Disappointing, but one can understand.  Anyone who's
   been involved in producing a periodical under a deadline
   knows, it ain't easy.

   That this newsletter has maintained a flawless published
   schedule at such a high level of quality is vibrant testimony
   to the marvelous collation of unique, enabling subject matter,
   knowledgeable members and contributors, and the
   commitment and tireless efforts of our editor. Amazing. The
   E-Sylum is well written, looks good and always informative.

   If there's another timely, superb resource in numismatics as
   good as this one, I truly would like to know.

   It's been more than a month since I posted a request for a
   copy of John Ford's 1957 Obituary of Wayte Raymond.

    No less than three subscribers came to my aid. I want to
    publicly thank David Gladfelter, Bill Malkmus and a special
    thanks to Bill Swoger for the speed of light in producing
   scanned images of the obit on my monitor.

   Fantabulous! My genuine thanks."


BOOK AUCTION TO BENEFIT THE A.N.S.

   George Kolbe writes: "On August 19, 2004 we will be
   conducting donated book auction to benefit the Francis
   D. Campbell Library Chair at the American Numismatic
   Society.

   1. We need your book donations with an average value
        of $300 each

   2. We need you to attend and bid wildly

   Place: Tambellini's Restaurant
   (easy walking distance from the ANA Convention)
   cocktails: 5:15 p.m.
   followed by dinner & Auction

   Tickets: $50.00 each, reservations to:
   John Adams
   60 State Street, 12th floor
   Boston, MA 02109
   jadams at ahh.com

   Books: Send to George Kolbe by the end of May
   P.O. Drawer 3100, Crestline, CA 92325."

   [I scouted the location and made the reservations.  It's
   a nice old-time Pittsburgh Italian restaurant in the
   Cultural District, just a few blocks from the convention
   center.  As noted in an earlier E-Sylum, I've contributed
   a few lots to the sale.  I'm looking forward to the dinner
   and auction - it should be a fun and relaxing evening for
   a great cause.  Please consider donating some material
   via George, and get your dinner reservatinons into John
   early.  We're looking forward to seeing many of you
   there.  -Editor]


NBS ACTIVITIES IN PITTSBURGH

   After a fun evening at the ANS book auction, there is
   even more in store for bibliophiles at the August convention
   of the American Numismatic Association.

   The following morning, August 20, the Numismatic
   Bibliomania Society will hold its annual meeting.  In honor
   of our club's 25th anniversary we are working to plan a
   lunch following the meeting.   After lunch, NBS members
   who have registered will embark on an afternoon bus tour
   to two private local numismatic libraries, those of Asylum
   Editor E. Tomlinson Fort, and myself.   See the next
   Asylum issue for more information.  Regretably, we have
   dropped the Carnegie Library from the tour due to time
   constraints.  Fortunately, there is little in the way of
   numismatic literature in the Carnegie collection that doesn't
   appear in one of our libraries.

   Equally regretably, we must cancel the planned viewing
   of coins from the Carnegie collection.  Although our contacts
   at the museum were initially willing to set something up, they
   have been overruled by their boss.   Like many museums
   across the country, The Carnegie is understaffed.  Recent
   layoffs have greatly depleted their staff.

   I'd like to thank and apologize to those who earlier expressed
   interest in the Carnegie visits, and hope you will be able to
   join us for the remaining library tours.


THE VICTORIA CROSS

   Joe Boling writes: "Whatever prices you were reporting for
   the Victoria Cross auction records, they came through severely
   truncated, no doubt because of the attachment of a non-standard
   Sterling symbol."

   [Mea Culpa.  From the beginning, one goal of The E-Sylum
   was to keep the format as simple as possible in order to allow
   the widest possible distribution.  Plain text is the lowest common
   denominator across the wide range of devices attached to the
   Internet.  I've allowed some special symbols to be published
   more recently, partly out of laziness, but also in order to see if
   problems would arise.  This is the first time I've heard of
   symbols being a problem.  I'll try to be more careful in the
   future.

   Meanwhile, here are the Victoria Cross hammer prices reported
   in last week's item.  All prices are in Pounds.

   Mr. Jackson's Victoria Cross "... went for 235,250 at the Spink
   auction house in London  on Friday, smashing the old record for
   a VC of  178,250."  -Editor]


   Doug Andrews writes: "Congratulations on yet another terrific
   issue of E-Sylum!

   Your "Featured Web Site" link on the Victoria Cross to
   http://www.victoriacross.net/ is a treasure trove of information,
   and I hope that E-Sylum readers will take full advantage of the
   links there to well over one hundred books about the Victoria
   Cross, its history, and its recipients.

   With the Royal Canadian Mint's recent coin issues honoring
   Canada's veterans, the numismatic connection to our military
   has never been stronger.

   Of the 90 Canadian recipients of the VC, three are particularly
   noteworthy for your readers. CSM Frederick William Hall, Cpl.
   Leo Clarke, and Lt. Robert Shankland were all from Winnipeg,
   Manitoba, where I live. They all were awarded the Victoria
   Cross for their gallantry in World War One.

   If having three Victoria Cross recipients from one city on the
   Canadian Prairies isn't a great coincidence in itself, all three
   lived on the same street, Pine Street, in Winnipeg!  The bravery
   of these men and their heroic deeds were recognized when Pine
   Street's name was changed to Valour Road.

   Many numismatists and bibliophiles also have an interest in
   military decorations. Whenever NBS members are
   contemplating an excursion to Winnipeg to visit the Royal
   Canadian Mint, or to view the Hudson Bay Company token
   collection, a side trip to Valour Road to see the plaque
   erected there would be highly worthwhile."


DYE-STAINED NOTES

   Joe Boling writes: "Regarding dye-stained bank robbery notes,
   I see notes in circulation regularly with these stains along their
   edges - usually $20 bills."

   [I've seen some inkstained notes, too, but hadn't given them
   much thought.  Perhaps that's what they were.  Interesting,
   but they would be far more interesting if the notes' stories
   were documented.  -Editor]


SALVADOR DALI, MEDALIST

   Dick Johnson writes: "Tuesday, May 11, 2004 is the centennial
   of the birth of Salvador Dali.  Did you know he was a medalist?

   He created four medals struck by the Paris Mint.  A series of
   12  medals of his design were struck in the USA by Medallic
   Art Company, and a separate Leda The Swan Medal by AMI,
   Art Medals Incorporated.  Yes, he is listed in my Directory of
   American Artists, Diesinkers, Engravers, Medalists and
   Sculptors.

   His first two medals, in 1967, were uniface models in which the
   Paris Mint added a reverse for each incorporating his famed
   signature. These were not wild designs as you might expect,
   but rather tame designs of Pallas Athena and Unicorn
   Dionysiaque.

   In 1969 came his wild design for the Club Francois de la
   Medaille.  It was modeled entirely of spoons!  Title:  Dali By
   Dali.  Perhaps you can find his portrait outlined in the obverse
   design of spoons.  He created a second Club edition in 1972,
   titled Sceau de Dali.  A supreme being at self promotion, yet
   these medals exhibit he did have talent.

   The American series is the Twelve Tribes of Israel; they were
   modeled by an Italian-born American, Domenico Facci, from
   Dali's graphic designs and struck in 1973-74.  Leda The Swan
   was also struck in 1974.

   Tuesday starts a Year of Dali celebration, mostly in his native
   Spain (centered at the Center of Dali Studies in Figueres, where
   he was born), but also in the US in Philadelphia, and at the
   Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida.

   I wish I had thought of it before he died (January 23, 1989).
   I would have suggested he create a Dali Deli Platter Plaquette.
   Oh, what he could have done with food!"


NATIONAL GALLERY NUMISMATIC VOLUMES

   Steve Pellegrini writes: "The National Gallery of Art, Washington,
   in their series of publications 'Studies in the History of Art' has
at
   least two volumes devoted to numismatics. I have Volume 22
   which is called 'Italian Plaquettes.' Volume 21 is about Italian
   Medals of the same Renaissance period. I have been looking for
   a copy of this volume for quite awhile without success. Any of
   my fellow Bibliomaniacs know where a copy might be had?"


MEDALS ON STAMPS

   Steve Pellegrini writes: "In the Perhaps Better Late then Never
   Category: Medals on Stamps. Munich medallist Karl Goetz
   produced an essai set of four stamps which featured four of his
   medal designs. These were produced for the 1932 Deutsche
   Bundespost stamp design competition. The 15 pfennig stamp
   carries the exact design of the medal Goetz lists as his Opus 289.
   Gunther Keinast, in his very scarce book 'Goetz II, A
   Supplement' gives the 4 denominations a group opus number of
   K-639. Also by Goetz is the ubiquitous postage stamp of the
   Weimar Republic - the medallion portrait of Presided Paul von
   Hindenburg.  This postal portrait is based directly on a 1927
   pattern 5RM commemorative coin (K-387) Goetz had
   submitted to the Bavarian Mint in competition. Although the
   Hindenburg 5 Mark pattern was not adopted by the Mint
   Goetz removed the denomination from the design and had it
   privately issued as a medallic gedenkentaler for Hindenburgs
   80th birthday (K-386). This 'so-called taler' was to become
   Goetz' best-selling work with a mintage of well over 100,000.
   These are today a perennial  favorite on EBay where a nice
   example can be picked up for about $35."


COINS ON COINS

   David Menchell writes: "A partial answer to Alan Luedeking:
   Perhaps the earliest examples of coins depicted on coins are
   the obol and hemiobol attributed to Samaria, listed in
   Meshorer and Qedar's Samarian Coinage as numbers 141
   and 142.  The reverse of these coins depicts five overlapping
   discs with images of owls on each, thought to represent
   Athenian coinage."

   Martin Purdy writes: "NZ $1 1983, South Africa 1 rand 1974
   (interesting because the coins depicted have had their
   denominations removed!),  Argentina 25 pesos 1964-68 - a
   genuine circulating coin this time, rather than a commemorative."

   Reid Goldsborough  writes: "I, and possibly others, collect
   modern coins and currency honoring ancient coins in those
   areas I specialize in, including:

   Alexander the Great

   * 1992 Greek 100 drachmas coin -- Alexander III portrait
       from Lysimachos' tetradrachms
   * 1956 Greek 1000 drachmas note -- portrait from Tarsos
       medallions
   * 1942-1943 (undated) Ionian Islands 10 drachmas note --
       portrait from a sculpture in the British Museum
   * 1941 Greek 1000 drachmas note -- portrait from Aesillas
       tetradrachms
   * 1941 Greek 2 drachmas note -- portrait from Lysimachos
       tetradrachms
   * 1926 Albanian one lek coin -- portrait from Aesillas
       tetradrachms
   * 1923 Greek 5 drachmas note -- portrait from Tarsos
      medallions
   * Wanted: 1921-22 Greek 50 drachmas note -- portrait from
       Aesillas tetradrachms

   Athenian Owls

   * 2002 Greek one euro coin -- owl from Classical Owl
      tetradrachms
   * 1973 Greek two drachmas coin -- owl from Classical
       Owl tetradrachms
   * 1944 Greek 100,000 drachmas note -- owl from
       Classical Owl tetradrachms
   * 1912 Greek ten lepta coin -- owl from ancient New
       Style tetradrachms"


VOTER PEACE MEDAL

   Steve Pellegrini writes: "I recently received in the mail a Voters
   Information Booklet for Multnomah County, Oregon.  Featured
   on the cover is a large photo of the handshake side of a Jefferson
   Indian Peace Medal. How cool. I wonder if we have a collector
   in the Voter's Info Office or if this was just a bit of random
   utilization. Another pleasant surprise was that the example  was
   not of a modern re-strike but was of an authentic original which
   had seen its share of honest wear. Indian peace medals are one
   of the few numismatic items I believe are far better holed,
   ticked-up and worn than in pristine, as-struck condition."


BREEN AND RAYMOND'S  STANDARD CATALOGUE

   David F. Fanning writes: "I know Walter Breen was involved
   with the 17th and 18th editions (1954 and 1957, respectively)
   of Raymond's Standard Catalogue of United States Coins,
   but was he involved with any earlier editions?  If so, in what
   capacity?  Thanks."


AMERICAN SESQUICENTENNIAL MEDALS

   Syd Martin writes: "With respect to the 1926 "so-called-dollar"
   discussed previously, the picture on the front was of George
   Washington, NOT Franklin."

   David Menchell writes: "In answer to Ron Abler's question
   about the "so-called dollar" for the 1926 Sesquicentennial, he
   appears to have most of the details correct, except that the
   obverse depicts a bust of George Washington facing right, not
   Ben Franklin.  Information can be found in Hibler and
   Kappen's reference, where this series of medals is listed as
   numbers 451 through 454.  It was minted in bronze, brass,
   nickel, and copper, the nickel being somewhat scarce and the
   copper rare.  The bronze pieces were struck from higher relief
   dies.  The medal was designed by Albin Polasek and struck
   in the Mint Exhibit at the Exposition."

   Dick Johnson writes: "To answer Ron Abler in last week's
   E-Sylum:  Medallic Art Company did strike a Sesquicentennial
   Medal in 1926, but not the official medal which is listed in So-
   Called Dollars by Hibler and Kappen. Medallic Art struck the
   Sesqui Sports Medal (26-28) which was modeled by R. Tait
   McKenzie for the celebration's sports contests in which the
   artist was involved.

   Incidentally, Ron, there is no "s" in Medallic Art -- either the
   name of the company or the field of fine medals. This is
   important because there was a firm in Rochester by the name
   Metal Arts -- with an "s" -- and by adding the "s" you could
   confuse your listener or reader.  Medallic Art Company is still
   in business (in Dayton, Nevada);  Metal Arts is no longer in
   business."


NEW MINT ARTISTS HAVE A LOT TO LEARN

   Dick Johnson writes: "To answer Charles Danek, the L.A.
   artist named to the Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program:  Perhaps
   the Janvier reducing machine is not what you think it is.  Are
   you searching for a machine only to reduce your bas-relief
   models?  The Janvier can do this, yes, but its primarily use
   is to cut a die (from a three-dimensional bas-relief pattern).

   From your clay model, a plaster cast is made, from that
   plaster cast a hard-surface pattern is made -- either by
   electrodeposition to form a galvano, or by casting in epoxy.
   This is what is mounted on a Janvier for a tracing point to
   traverse its surface and transmit this image pantographically to
   a cutting point that exactly duplicates that relief in a steel die.
   You cannot put clay or plaster on a Janvier – it must be a
   hard surface.

   There are other brands of die-engraving pantographs,
   each with its own distinctive characteristics. The Janvier, for
   example, starts with the tracing point at the center of the
   pattern, and the cutting point at the center of the die and
   both transverse outwards. Others start at the edge and
   progress inwards. Most mints and medallic companies
   prefer the Janvier, however, for its ease of use, its versatility,
   but most of all, for its integrity in reproducing all the detail that

   is in the artist's original model.

   Now there are some things the artist MUST know.

   One. No undercuts in your relief; a die cannot strike “overhang “
    -- a ten degree bevel is absolutely required on the sides of all
    your relief – for the die to strike and withdraw.

   Two.  No areas of deep depression surrounded by tall relief --
   in a die these deep areas are tiny tall projections and are
   vulnerable to breaking off.

   Three.  Be aware of the high points of your design; these will
   be where the coin or medal will wear.  (For large medals it is
   even recommended to put three equally high points on the reverse,
   these will be “support points” to bear the weight of the medal
   when it rests on any surface. Of course these points will wear
   first, but they will protect the rest of the reverse design from
wear.
   Often these high points can be incorporated into the design so
   they appear inconspicuously.)

   Four. Be aware of the border on your design. For coins, all
   your relief must be below the height of the border. Borders on
   medals do not require this but are more for the human hand to
   hold it – for a large medal consider making a border of several
   elements, levels and shapes – this aids humans’ tactile ability to
   hold on to it.

   Five.  Place a flange around your model, say two inches in
   width (this aids fastening the pattern onto the reducing machine).

   Six. Be super-aware of the height of your relief.

   Seven.  Ask for specific instructions from the mint or medallic
   company concerning the limits of this relief height and as many
   other particulars as possible. Ask if it is to be struck in proof
   surface or not. Once you are proficient, you could even ask
   about the kind of press in which the coin or medal will be
   struck, as the design you create in your studio could even
   eliminate problems in striking later on."


NUMISMATICS AND RIOTS

   Steve Pellegrini writes: "When thinking about the incidence of
   Riots on Medals I immediately thought of the 1478 medal by
   Bertolo di Giovaanni which commemorates the Florence riot
   instigated  by the Pazzi conspirators  to cover the assassination
   attempt on the Medici brothers, Lorenzo and Giuliano. In fact
   only Giuliano was killed. Lorenzo escaped with only a flesh
   wound. Stephen Scher, in his beautiful book 'The Currency
   of Fame' has assigned this medal #41 - and included photos
   of the historical piece on pp. 129 & 130.

   Another example of medals, or rather a tokens with riotous
   connections are the Middlesex Conder Tokens issued by
   Thomas Spence featuring the portrait of Mendoza, the popular
   prize fighter of 1790-1810 London. During the 'Old Prices'
   riots in Covent Garden in Sept.- December 1809 Mendoza
   and his boxing colleagues were hired by harassed theatre
   owner John Kemble.  Kemble hired Mendoza and his boxing
   cronies to help keep order in the theater on performance nights.
   The boxers were prominently seated (free of charge) where all
   the theater-goers could not fail to see them. Should any 'New
   Prices' dissenters begin to disrupt the performance Mendoza
   and his boxers very publicly made swift work of them.

   During this period prize fighting was dominated by Jewish
   boxers, much as was US boxing during the hard immigration
   years of the early 20th century. The anti-Semitic allusions found
   on these 'Old Price Riot' tokens stem from Kemble's
   employment of these Jewish boxers to suppress further rioting."


S. E. COE SOUGHT

   Saul Teichman forwarded the following request from
   Richard Frajola of  Ranchos De Taos, NM:

   "I just purchased a stamped cover from the mid 1860's
   because it is addressed to Elliot Woodward, who I know a
   little bit about.  Apparently from the docket it  enclosed a
   letter about a 1794 dollar from somebody named  S.E. Coe
   in Mohawk, New York. Does that name ring any  bells with
   our readers?  Who was S.E. Coe?"


JULIAN'S POLITICAL/SATIRICAL MEDALS

   Steve Pellegrini writes: "Over the last few years I have slowly
   but surely been assembling a set of R.W. Julian's series of
   Political-Satirical medals from the late 1970s and early 1980s.
   Each year a different medal with a different topic and featuring
   the portrait of a different great American.was struck.  The
   gallery included Washington, Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt,
   etc. Each was available in two different metals: Bronze and
   Cu-Ag.

   I've just about completed the entire set but have come to a
   screeching halt at the very last medal in the series, the 'Gen.
   Macarthur' medal. I imagine this medal, in either composition,
   is the 'key' to the series. As this issue seems so elusive I
   wonder was this medal produced in far smaller numbers than
   the others in the series? And if that's the case, what were the
   mintages for the Macarthur medal?  Is anyone familiar with
   the minutia of this great American series?  If there is any info
   among the membership please email me at
   ginocatt at comcast.net."


BISON RANCHER QUESTIONS HORNS

   A Saturday, May 1st article in the Kansas Star cites
   a bison rancher's complaint about the proposed design
   for the Kansas quarter.

   "The state animal will need a little cosmetic surgery if it's
   chosen as the design for the Kansas quarter."

   "In the design, the animal's horns point forward. A real
   bison's horns point up.

   "This my pet peeve about artists," former buffalo rancher
   Don Carbaugh said. "They assume buffalo have horns like
   cattle. But they're built differently."

   "But if the error isn't corrected, he said, "It'd just be an
   embarrassment. They'll probably turn into a collector's item.
   They sure screwed up there."

   To read the full article, see:
   http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/8568077.htm?1c


FEATURED WEB SITE

   This week's featured web site is recommended by Arthur
   Shippee.    It's the online version of  The Handbook of
   Biblical Numismatics."

   http://www.amuseum.org/book/page0.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
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