Table Of Content

asYLam TijE The Quarterly Journal of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society www.coinbooks.org CONTENTS President’s Message 106 by Pete Smith An American Numismatic Pamphlet Featuring the Execution of a Counterfeiter 110 Newman by Eric P. ANA Bibliomanics Share in Exhibit Hall 116 by John Kraljevich Sitting on the Shelf 118 by Karl Moulton An Old Book Brings Old and New Collectors Together 120 by William E. Daehn The Origin of Coin World Annual Book Edition and Remembrances of Frank J. Katen 127 by D. Wayne Johnson The Printer’s Devil: Dr. James Mease: A Forgotten Pioneer of Numismatic Literature 128 by Joel J. Orosz Numismatics in the Age of Grolier 135 "Of all the inanimate objects/ of all men's creations/ books are the nearest to us for they y contain our very thoughts/ our ambitions/ our indignations/ our illusions/ our fidelity to truth/ and our persistent leaning towards error. But most of all they resemble us in their precarious hold on life." JOSEPH CONRAD 1857-19x4 ProvidedcourtesyofGeorgeFrederickKolbe/FineNumismaticBooks - www.numislit.com THE ASYLUM Y FALL 2001 105 Numismatic Bibliomania Society 111 Officers President Vice-President Secretary-Treasurer Pete Smith John W. Adams David Sklow 2423 4th Str. NE, 60 State Street, 12th floor P.O. Box 761923 Minneapolis, MN 55418 Boston, MA 02109 Ocala, FL 34481 [email protected] [email protected] Members ofthe Board Dave Hirt, 591 1 Quinn Orchard Rd., Frederick, MD 21704. [email protected] John Kraljevich, P.O. Box 1224, Wolfeboro, NH, 03894, [email protected] Bob Metzger, P.O. Box 307, Lakeville, MN 55044-0307, [email protected] Joel Orosz, 4300 Old Field Trail, Kalamazoo, Ml 49008, [email protected] Scott Rubin, P.O. Box 6885, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, [email protected] Tom Sheehan, P.O. Box 1477, Edmonds, WA 98020, [email protected] The Asylum Vol. XIX, No. 4 Consecutive Issue No. 76 FALL 2001 Editor: E. Tomlinson Fort Editor-in-Chief: David Fanning P.O. Box 5035 2844 Clifton Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Columbus, OH 43221 [email protected] [email protected] Advertising Rates Full Page $60.00 Inside Front, Inside or Outside Back Cover 65.00 Half Page 35.00 Discounts for multiple issue advertisers are available. For rates please contact editor. The Asylum is published quarterly. Manuscripts sent to the editor should be accompanied, if possible, by a Macintosh (preferred) or PC (if necessary) compati- ble floppy disk, zip disk or CD. Authors, please put your name(s) on all submitted material. All accepted manuscripts become the property of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society. For more information, please contact the editor. N.B.S. Membership: $15.00 annual dues in North America, $20.00 else- where. Members receive all issues of the current volume. Requests for membership should be submitted to the Secretary-Treasurer. ©2001 Numismatic Bibliomania Society 106 FALL 2001 * THE ASYLUM message President’s by Pete Smith The American Numismatic We added six new members at Association convention provides the convention, mostly through an opportunity each year for the recruiting efforts of Bill NBS members to gather and dis- Murray. Those who joined at the cuss numismatic literature. This convention will be members for year the Atlanta convention the full year of 2002 and will get marked the transition between the fourth issue of our journal in the outgoing officers and the 2001 as a bonus benefit. newly elected board. want to The board enthusiastically I thank our officers, members and extended the appointment of friends who contributed to make Tom Fort as editor of The it a successful convention. Asylum. We also appointed also want to thank Wayne David Fanning to the position of 1 Homren for his leadership of the Editor-in-Chief taking over NBS for the past two years. duties previously covered by Bob Wayne will continue to main- Metzger and Wayne Homren. tain the NBS website and pro- ANA Librarian Nancy Green duce the electronic newsletter of joined us for the NBS Literature the NBS, The E-Sylum. Our Symposium on Thursday, August thanks also go to Larry Mitchell 9. She offered an update on the and Bill Murray who recently remodeling at the ANA head- completed their terms on the quarters in Colorado Springs. board. She joined the panel of NBS The incoming and outgoing board members John Kraljevich, boards met on Friday before the Bill Murray, P. Scott Rubin, Tom general membership meeting. Sheehan and myself as we Secretary-Treasurer David Sklow responded to comments and submitted a tentative budget questions from the audience. based on estimates of revenue Much of the discussion was from membership and estimated about emerging technologies cost for producing the club jour- and the good and bad features of We nal, The Asylum. expect our various media. revenue to meet or exceed The general meeting of the expenses. society occurred the next day. Q. Currently the membership of David Bowers received the Jack NBS is well below its peak of a Collins Award for overall contri- few years ago and the board feels bution to numismatic literature. there is great potential for Bowers was also the featured growth. The board authorized speaker and the award was pre- Secretary-Treasurer Sklow to sented after he addressed the send out renewal notices and a members and guests at the meet- renewal offer to lapsed members. ing on numismatic research. He THE ASYLUM Y FALL 2001 107 was very surprised and pleased. onaut of the numismatic realm" Our thanks go to Chip Cutcliff, in the January 2001 issue of The Activities Chairman for the con- Numismatist. vention, who loaned a tape Joel Orosz also received literary recorder so the presentation awards from the ANA. For his could be recorded. A transcript article on "Gilmor and the 1804 may appear in some future issue dollars" in the June 2000 issue of of The Asylum. The Numismatist, he received a ANA Prior to the convention, First Place Heath Literary Award. executive director Ed Rochette While his article in the contacted the NBS to ask our November 2000 issue, "The curi- support in raising money for the ous case of the collectors Kline," Rare Book Room at the ANA received a Second Place Heath headquarters in Colorado Literary Award. The Gilmor arti- Springs. The NBS board pledged cle also won for Orosz a Second $1,000 toward this remodeling Place Wayte and Olga Raymond and announced this contribu- Literary Award for distinguished tion at the general meeting. The numismatic achievement in the board also agreed to explore field of United States Numis- other ways that the NBS can matics. We are fortunate that ANA assist the with their fund Joel is a regular contributor to raising efforts in support of our The Asylum. mutual goal of preserving and A report on literature exhibits promoting numismatic litera- by John Kraljevich appears later ture. in this issue. Eric Holcomb was Again this year Brad Karoleff recruited to take digital pictures conducted an auction of donat- of the first place exhibit in the ed items with thirteen lots bring- literature class. He sent these by ing $1,016. Thanks to Q. David e-mail to Wayne Homren to Bowers, Alan Luedeking, Bill include on the NBS website as Murray and Jim Neiswinter who another example of exhibiting donated lots. literature. The Numismatic Literary Guild I told our board that I feel the Bash, held on Thursday evening, number one priority for the is always entertaining, as literary Numismatic Bibliomania Society celebrities offer amusing com- is to publish our journal on mentary on the ANA board, offi- schedule. believe the future 1 cers of the U.S. Mint and con- looks bright for The Asylum. For temporary topics. Former Mint the 2000 publication year, we Director Jay Johnson entertained produced four 32-page issues and the crowd. In the writing compe- a total of 128 pages. With this tition, our NBS board member, issue, we increased to 40 pages NLG Joel Orosz, received an and a total of 144 pages for the award in class three, best article 2001 publication year. in a non-profit numismatic pub- While I am happy with the lication. This award was for his contributions we are getting, we article on "Dr. Lewis Roper, arg- need more contributions from 108 FALL 2001 * THE ASYLUM writers who have not previously to polish your material and get it submitted articles. We need to ready for publication. If you see fresh points of view and top- have been thinking about sub- ics that have not been previously mitting something for publica- considered. Your manuscript tion, do it. Otherwise, in a few doesn't need to be perfect. Our months, we may be back to wor- editor will work with new writers rying about filling the next issue. The Results of the Rest Rsylum Readers Article Poll Volume XVJ3J 2000 for #1. Joel Orosz, "The printer's devil: Missing masterpieces - the J. twilight zone of American numismatic literature," (No. 3, Summer), pp. 73-79. #2. Carl R. Herkowitz, "Aid W. Browning comes home," (No. 4, Fall) pp. 115-119. #3. Wayne Homren, "Checking into the Hotel California: A visit with John Bergman and George Kolbe," (No. 4, Fall), pp. 104-107. Hew Members John Gary Anderson, Milan, IN. Jonathan Kern, Lexington, KY. Catherine E. Bullowa, Merlin K. Malehorn, Annandale, Philadelphia, PA. VA. Courtney L. Coffing, lola, WI. Marc Melcher, Houston, TX. Jane L. Colvard, Colorado Clifford Mishler, lola, WI. Springs, CO. Steve Pellegrini, Portland, OR. Tom Delorey, Blue Island, 1L. Mark Rabinowitz, Melbourne, Howard A, Daniel, Deltaville, FL. VA. Damond Ramsey, Parma, OH. Roger Desouches, London, Chris and Julie Salmon, Paradise England. Valley, AZ. Paul DiMarzio, Bethel, CT. Neil Shaffer, Milwaukee, WI. Dick Eidswick, Ann Arbor, Ml. Jeffrey M. Shelton, New York, Robert Fritsch, Nashue, NH. NY. Norman R. Glassburn, Angola, Steve Walters, Arlington, VA. PA. Ute Wartenberg, New York, NY. David Harper, lola, WI. Larry Williams, San Angelo, TX. D. Wayne Johnson, Litchfield, Charles Windheim, Sacramento, CT. CA. A.M. Kagan, Des Moines, A. Robert Yetman, Houston, TX. I 1 THE ASYLUM Y FALL 200 10b Letters to the Editor Wayne D. Johnson: received this book from Ken this In response to the current morning at the American Asylum article on the different Numismatic Association conven- editions of The Fantastic 1804 tion in Detroit. flew to St. Louis I Dollar book, I have the only to have Eric sign it before return- copy of the first edition that was ing home. D. Wayne Johnson, signed by both authors on the Kansas City Aug. 17, 1962." first day of issue. Ken Bressett had 16 copies delivered from the Larry Mitchell: bindery to him at the ANA con- received today the Summer 1 vention in Detroit. They arrived 2001 issue of The Asylum. My the morning of August 17th. He congratulations to yourself and signed one copy for me and gave everyone who contributed to it to me early in the morning. this issue...well done! His inscription reads: “To D. Footnote 3 in Joel's article rais- Wayne Johnson - One of 16 es the question “can a single copies of a very fantastic book. sheet be folded to comprise an Ken Bressett August 17, 1962“ 18 page signature?" Perhaps the I flew from Detroit to Saint best way to answer this is to note Louis (telephoning Eric Newman that “18mo," the commonest of ahead to meet me at the airport) the small formats, usually refers as was on my way home to to two signatures (normally 24s I Kansas City from there. and 12s, the inner and outer He did and I delivered his first forme each rendering a signature copy to him as a favor to both in 12s and in 6s) derived from a Ken and Eric. His inscription single imposition. Sometimes it reads: “To D. Wayne Johnson. also refers to just 6s, and even This book is proof that in spite less commonly to signatures in of hard long research a group of 9s (the fifth leaf being a single- logical conclusions on one phase ton; sometimes found in stabbed of the subject can be completely books of the early 19th century). in error. These horendous [sic) Figure 61 in Gaskell's New mistakes will be corrected when Introduction to Bibliography (Oak the book is issued. This edition Knoll, 1995) shows a common should be a classic for error col- imposition. Savage's Dictionary of lectors. Eric P Newman, St Louis, the Art ofPrinting (London, 1841) Aug 17, 1962." shows some of the more unusual added this inscription: "1 impositions. I FALL 2001 * THE ASYLUM 110 An American numismatic Pamphlet Featuring the Execution of a Counterfeiter Newman by Eric P. To acquire a newly found gen- the issue of the pamphlet was uine example of an early obviously to show what happens American pamphlet previously to a person who repeatedly vio- classified as unique is unusual. lated the law and thus to influ- To have its subject matter ence others to avoid a similar include a current American path. social controversy is rare. The original printing of the In the course of my collecting pamphlet in New York City was and researching American coins prepared in conjunction with and paper money the opportuni- the occasion and sold at Henry ty to obtain numismatic litera- Deforrester's shop, but no ture has always been fundamen- known original remains. The tal and thus obtained A Short woodcut and probably the 1 Account of tlw Life of John +++++ frames of the set type were alias Owen Syllavan. The individ- promptly sent to Boston, ual featured in this pamphlet Massachusetts, where after was a superb paper money coun- minor printer's adjustments, terfeiter who was hanged in New reprints were prepared later in York City on May 10, 1756. A 1756 by Green and Russell and sketch of his life was printed as offered for sale at the Writing his "Dying Speech" given at the School of Queen Street, Boston. place of execution where he It so happens that the Boston refused either to identify his pamphlet (or New York edition associates or the location of his if one ever appears) is the first printing plates. piece of American numismatic The black bordered 12 page literature containing an illustra- publication is illustrated with a tion. It can be asserted that the woodcut of his execution in official Massachusetts statutes of front of a large crowd with chil- 1722 and 1737 contain paper dren playing and included his money imprints as part of their distraught wife as well as his cof- acts but the statutes may be clas- fin on a horse drawn dray. sified as general law compila- The New York Assembly was so tions rather than numismatic lit- frustrated by the failure to locate erature. his counterfeit plates that on Illustrations in European July 9, 1756 it passed an addi- numismatic literature had tional act creating the death appeared over two centuries ear- penalty for anyone concealing a lier. The penalty for counterfeit- counterfeit plate. The reason for ing in the Colony of New York THE ASYLUM FALL 2001 *r 111 and in some other American could not control him or cure colonies was "death without him of his vices. He had often benefit of clergy." This denied been confined to his room for the convict the right to have a substantial periods with only clergyman present to request bread and water for sustenance. God to have mercy on the soul His English born parents trans- of the departing individual. ferred him to a schoolmaster's Most counterfeiters used coun- custody and others also tried to money terfeit to bribe their rehabilitate him. jailors in order to escape. Passers At age 13 he found at Limerick of counterfeit money when con- a family who took care of him victed were often placed in and he signed an indenture for stocks and/or whipped in public seven years' work, identifying view. For makers of counterfeit himself falsely as "Owen money ear-cropping and face Syllavan." branding with "C" (for counter- In his sixth year of service he feiter) or "R" (probably for was delivering a letter in repeater) were used along with Waterford, Ireland when he confinement and execution. wandered to the docks and met It is of interest that the newly people who were sailing to located pamphlet was found America. He found their ship's sewn together with a group of captain and agreed to four years sermons, indicating that it was of service in order to pay for his When an item to be distributed for passage. he arrived in moral persuasion. The pamphlet Boston he asked his master to with its illustration was prepared sell his contract. Captain in conjunction with an impor- Gilmore of St. Georges River (a tant American colonial event day's sailing east of Boston) pur- (the hanging) to which everyone chased the rights to Sullivan and was welcome, with the hope of used him for clearing land on his making improvements in the property. conduct of society. After a little more than two How times do change! The real tears years, Gilmore moved to name of the notorious counter- Boston and Sullivan was trans- feiter who was hanged is not ferred to Captain Bradbury to known. His "Dying Speech" serve as a soldier. indicates that his first name was After two years of military life "John," a name used by an evil Sullivan enlisted in General spirit which he alleges spoke to Shirley's Regiment of Foot for a him during his youth. The pri- Cape Breton, Nova Scotia assign- mary alias he selected was ment. This was coordinated by "Owen Syllavan." For practical Captain Gordon's Company of purposes he has been referred to Grenadiers where Sullivan historically as "Owen Sullivan." enjoyed the discipline and At age 1 1 as an unruly child he pleased his officers so much that was living near Fedard, County he was appointed "chief Wexford, Ireland and his family Armourer of the Regiment." This FALL 2001 * THE ASYLUM 112 led to his undertaking the num- forgery for which he received bering and engraving of the two hours in the pillory, 20 lash- Arms of both Shirley's Regiment es at the public whipping post and PepperelTs Regiment. and was confined to jail. While He then married and blamed in jail he engraved two counter- his wife for causing him to be feit plates, one for the 40 shilling demoted to a common soldier. New Hampshire bills (the April In his time off as such a soldier 3, 1742 issue) and another he began business as a silver- Massachusetts Bay bill. Having smith doing engraving and no rolling press available in jail moulding. he printed the bills by hand, He cast a Spanish dollar and signed them and distributed when a visitor saw it and them to the accomplices he informed the authorities Sullivan assembled. By passing the bills was arrested. He pleaded guilty they obtained sufficient genuine but was discharged because the money as change to have him dollar was made of good silver. released. In a subsequent incident he was Soon a confederate was caught New involved in an argument with a passing a counterfeit fellow soldier and received a Hampshire bill and Sullivan was punishment of 50 lashes. named as maker, arrested again When his regiment finally but escaped to Providence, broke up Sullivan went to Rhode Island. He then was con- Boston and set up as an tacted to engage in further coun- engraver. His skill must have terfeiting and produced £10 bills become well known quickly of Rhode Island (the March 18, because two men asked him to 1750/51 issue). prepare a plate for printing a 10 Informed on again by one of shilling New Hampshire bill of his passers he had an ear crop- credit (the June 20, 1744 issue) ping and face branding in which he did. October 1751. He was well compensated and He became accustomed to the this encouraged him to counter- disloyalty of his passers by their feit on his own behalf. He attempts to save themselves by engraved some copper plates for blaming him. In 1752 he had a Massachusetts Bay bills keeping widespread coterie of distributors the denominations below 40 and passers in New England, shillings. In anger his wife called many of whom were in continu- him a "Forty Thousand Money- al trouble by being caught. He Maker" so loudly that a neighbor found a secret retreat in who overheard it promptly Dutchess County, New York near reported it. the western Connecticut line His arrest resulted but he and referred to as Dover where alleged that he should have been Dover Plains and Dover Furnace discharged because the law did are now. This location was 120 not cover such counterfeiting. miles northerly of New York City Nevertheless he was convicted of with easy access to several New