Table Of Content

tre flSYiam Quarterly Journal of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society Volume XVIII, No. 3 Summer 2000 CONTENTS President’s Message 66 by Wayne Homren Behind The Scenes 68 by Karl Moulton A Research Query: Guttag Publications 71 by Mike Paradis The Printer’s Devil: Missing Masterpieces: The Twilight Zone Of American Numismatic Literature 73 by Joel J. Orosz The Ken Lowe Library Sale 80 by John and Nancy Wilson News From The Net 84 by Pete Smith Overprinted Coin Show “Red Books” And Mr. Yeo. 89 . by John and Nancy Wilson CD Review: Scottish Currency 91 by E. Tomlinson Fort " "There probably no is hell for authors in the — next world they suffer so much from critics and publishers in this. CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE 1820-1904 c& c& c$> c§> ProvidedcourtesyofGeorgeFrederickKolbe/FineNumismaticBooks - www.numislit.com THE ASYLUM v SUMMER 2000 65 Numismatic Bibliomania Society Officers President Vice-President Secretary-Treasurer Wayne Homren Tom Sheehan, Dave Hirt 1810 Antietam St. P. O. Box 1477, 591 1 Quinn Orchard Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Edmonds, WA 98020, Frederick, MD 21704 [email protected] [email protected] Members ofthe Board Bob Metzger, P.O. Box 307, Lakeville, MN 55044-0307, [email protected] Larry Mitchell, Box 902317, Palmdale, CA 93590, [email protected] Bill Murray, 7400 Crestway, Apt. 1423, San Antonio, TX 78239, [email protected] Joel Orosz, 4300 Old Field Trail, Kalamazoo, Ml 49008, [email protected] Scott Rubin, P.O. Box 6885, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, [email protected] The Asylum Vol. XVIII, No. 3 Consecutive Issue No. 72 SOMMER 2000 Editor: E. Tomlinson Fort Editor-in-Chief: Bob Metzger P.O. Box 5035 P.O. Box 307 Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Lakeville, MN 55044-0307 [email protected] [email protected] Advertising Rates Full Page $60.00 Inside Front, Inside or Outside Back Cover 65.00 Half Page 35.00 Quarter Page 20.00 Classified IOC per word, minimum $ 2.50 The Asylum published quarterly. Manuscripts sent to the editor should be is accompanied, possible, by a Macintosh (preferred) or PC (if necessary) if compatible disk. For more information please contact the editor. N.B.S. Membership: $15.00 annual dues in North America, $20.00 else- mem- where. Members receive all issues of the current volume. Requests for bership should be submitted to the Secretary-Treasurer. ©2000 Numismatic Bibliomania Society 66 SUMMER 2000 r THE ASYLUM message President’s by Wayne Homren Our hobby lost another of its Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio greats on October 18, 2000, with that year. Happy Birthday! the death of numismatic litera- This issue of The Asylum con- ture dealer John F. Bergman, tains several articles of interest. after a sudden illness. He was 56 Karl Moulton leads off with a years old. Always a fixture at the "Behind the Scenes" look at the Long Beach shows, and a regular business side of our hobby. Joel attendee of the annual ANA con- Orosz discusses the "Missing vention, John was as solid and Masterpieces" of American honest as the day is long. An numismatic literature. John and outpouring of tributes came Nancy Wilson contribute two from all corners of the hobby, articles, on the Lowe library sale and many will be published in and the special ANA Convention the next issue of The Asylum. "Redbooks". Pete Smith summa- John will be sorely missed. rizes the "News from the Net", Our Society's annual general and Asylum editor E. Tomlinson meeting at the American Fort provides a review of a new Numismatic Association conven- CD-ROM on Scottish Currency. tion in downtown Philadelphia, Finally, a number of members Pennsylvania, was attended by have inquired about Life about some 70 bibliophiles. Membership in NBS. Actually, Equally important, our annual we do have a Life Membership fundraising auction raised category, which was created $1,450 for our coffers. The when we adopted our latest detailed results were published Constitution and By-Laws. The in the August 27, 2000 issue of cost of the membership is set at our electronic newsletter, The E- 20 times the annual dues, which Sylum. Thanks again to all of currently amounts to $300 in our donors and bidders. North America, $400 elsewhere. Speaking of meetings at the To convert your membership to ANA, NBS Historian Joel Orosz Life status, simply send the pointed out at our general meet- proper amount to our Secretary, ing that the Numismatic Dave Hirt. Bibliomania Society turned twenty years old that month. This organization was founded officially on August 18, 1980, at a meeting at the ANA THE ASYLUM V SUMMER 2000 67 Hew members Michael Billings, Chino Hills, Marc Merrick, Long Beach, CA CA MD John A. Merz, Easton, James P. Bixler, Manitou Springs, Tom Michael, Iola, WI CO Douglas Owens, Salt Lake City, F. Carl Braun, Fort Lauderdale, UT FL Lawrence W. Paschal Jr., Douglas M. Carlson, Naplas, FL Clemmons, NC Jim Dalzell, Bend, OR Glenn Peterson, Knoxville, TN Holger Dombrowski, Munich, Jay Pinnell, Tustin, CA J. Germany Dr. George A. Randall, Sewell, NJ Cathy Earley, Oaktown, IN Ginger Rapsus, Oak Lawn, IL Barry Friedman, Chesapeak, VA William Simon, Clifton, NJ Jr., Paul Hybert, Chicago, IL Robert Shippee, Greenwich, CT WA Scott Loos, Spokane, Robert Typermass, Manhasset, J.P. Martin, Englewood, CA NY Dmitry Melamud, Brooklyn, NY Ed Zimmerman, Dunwoody, GA I 1 The Numismatic Bibliomania Society I Membership Application hereby apply for membership in the Numismatic Bibliomania I Society. understand that will receive the Society’s quarterly I 1 journal, The Asylum. Name: j Street: City State: Zip: : Phone: Membership dues are $15.00 in North America, $20.00 else- | where Members receive all copies of the current volume of The \ Asylum. I Return application with payment to: I NUMISMATIC BIBLIOMANIA SOCIETY I DAVID HIRT, SECRETARY 5911 QUINN ORCHARD ROAD MD FREDERICK, 21704 hereby make application for membership in the Numismatic I Bibliomania Society, subject to the bylaws of the organization. Signature of Applicant Date i 62 SUMMER 2000 * THE ASYLUM Behind The Scenes by Karl Moulton Recently, one rather disgrun- cases, these dealers sold out of tled reader of the E-Sylum, the print copies of previous coin electronic version of the Asylum, auction catalogues. W. Elliot voiced his negative views about Woodward, a 19th century coin buying literature on the inter- dealer, was the leader in this net. His claim was that the book regard. Currently, there are only dealer's "packing charges and all about a half dozen individuals just don't hold up." This partic- who deal in numismatic litera- ular inexperienced literature ture in this country. buyer promptly received Captain Kirk was wrong. Space responses from three of the is not the final frontier, it is a country's top numismatic litera- very real problem. Dealers han- ture dealers. dled an enormous volume of E-Sylum editor, Wayne material, tons of it to be exact. Homren asked me for a behind- For the most part, bibliophiles the-scenes look into what goes have a room or two with shelves on in the numismatic literature for their library, while literature business. Though have only dealers are totally surrounded I five years as a dealer in this par- and buried by crammed boxes, ticular field (as compared to overflowing and bending book- George Kolbe who has over 30 cases, huge piles on the floor years), it is hoped that what is and even more coming in at the contained in this article will find post office. Of course, all this agreement and people interested material can be excellent insula- in numismatics will gain some tion. insights. This is what truly defines a lit- Becoming an American numis- erature dealer; it's similar to matic literature dealer is not an being a professional photogra- aspiration that many people pher. Almost everyone has a share. This is easily supported by camera and they shoot around the following analysis: Since the 20 rolls of film a year. A profes- late 1850's, the beginning of sional photographer shoots interest in American numismat- thousands of rolls and spends all ics in this country, there have of his time and energy trying to been less than two dozen people get the great shots that everyone who have actively "carried the simply takes for granted. banner" when it comes to sell- All literature dealers, whether ing numismatic literature in all numismatic or not, spend an its various forms. For the most enormous amount of time orga- part, it was the early coin dealers nizing and cataloguing invento- themselves who sold literature ry. Since time is a very precious in their auction sales. In many and valuable commodity, it THE ASYLUM Y SUMMER 2000 G9 would be nice to think it was reads or gives any credibility to compensated for in some rea- something smaller; however, sonable fashion. However, much most of the dealers can be con- of what we do comes under the tacted by checking the publica- heading of "a labor of love." tions section (181) in the Coin This is certainly true when there World classifieds. is a large quantity of heavy One annoying element that boxes to sort through. affects everyone is the shipping Supplies are a necessary expenses associated with litera- expense. Everything, including ture, The costs of using the heavy cardboard boxes, bubble- postal service, or private ship- wrap, packing peanuts, tape in ping like UPS or Fed Ex, are like various forms and plastic bags having taxes taken out of your are needed. Items such as invoic- paycheck. es, labels, file cabinets, packing It's disheartening to send tables, an accurate scale, numer- packages overseas. Every ounce ous bookcases and shelving all counts and its not really fair. For add up. example, a priority flat rate can Printing is another subject go from Boston to Honolulu for that needs comment. If you $3.20, or nearly 5,500 miles. The check most mail bid sales or cost increases over three-fold to fixed price lists, you will notice go from Boston to Europe, a dis- there are relatively few that con- tance of 3,500 miles. If you take tain pictures of the material the very same package from offered. You may ask, "Why is Sault St. Marie, Michigan to this?" Anyone who has contact- Sault St. Marie, Ontario, a dis- ed a printing company about tance of less than two miles, it four color separation on glossy costs more than $3.20 as it's paper for a minimum run of international mail and cannot 1000 copies will gladly tell you even be put into a U.S. priority its quite expensive. Thankfully, flat rate envelope. This brings to the market has not been pro- mind the U.S. postal service pri- moted to the point where we as ority mail - they cheerfully take dealers have to glamorize the a lot of your money, but don't offerings like coin dealers and guarantee any delivery time. auction houses do. Instead, we You figure it out. rely on the intelligence of our The packing and handling customers to understand the charges added to an invoice accurate written descriptions. don't even begin to pay for the Another item to be taken care time it takes to get the item(s) of is advertising. The margins in ready for shipment, this was a this business are nowhere near real sore spot with the individ- the hyper-inflated coin prices ual who bought books off the and the cost of full-page ads in internet. Regrettably, books and the trade papers is simply pro- catalogues don't just jump into hibitive under present market the boxes by themselves; and conditions. It seems that no one they are not that well trained in 70 SUMMER 2000 * THE ASYLUM wrapping and protecting them- libraries. They get much of this selves either. material from the literature deal- What must be remembered is ers. that people who are not dealers Literature dealers are well are selling their extra items on versed in the various idiosyn- the internet as well. This is per- crasies of numismatic literature, fectly acceptable and actually and there are many. You can helps the market by generating pick our brains on sale dates, and maintaining interest. These plates, consignors, market avail- people also understand the costs ability, deluxe editions, pricing, of shipping materials and time number extent, - the list is end- We needed to send things out. less. even supply accurate Here are a few things to con- information on many miscon- sider. The United States Mint structed or hidden background has a mailing list of over two details. million people. Coin World, the It is up to each individual to largest subscription publication, learn about the needed refer- has just under 100,000 sub- ences used in numismatic litera- scribers. The ANA has approxi- ture. A partial list of these would mately 30,000 members. The include Attinelli, Gengerke, Coin Dealer Newsletter, a.k.a. Adams 1 and 2 and Davis. With the "Graysheet, " has under these important guides it is easy 8,000. George Kolbe, the leading to figure out what you have and numismatic literature dealer, has what you need. Coin collectors a mailing list of about 1,000 have the "Red book" as a general people, while my active mailing guide, and the "Graysheet" for list has a little under half that pricing. However, while you amount. This shows that there may not believe collecting it, are a lot of poorly informed peo- numismatic literature is much ple out there buying coins. more involved than collecting Many of these individuals never coins. For example, there have get past the ''date, grade and been over 15,000 different coin price" syndrome. It's a shame auction catalogues printed in they never learn about the histo- the United States, that's a greater ry surrounding their particular number of individual items than field of interest. is found in a complete set of Knowledge is perhaps the United States coinage by die most important consideration; varieties. If you add foreign all numismatic knowledge is numismatic literature to your acquired. You must read to learn list...well, you better have a big and understand. Being able to storage space available. sift through the hype associated Get to know your friendly with the commercial aspect of numismatic literature dealer. coin collecting is one of the true They are well read and versed. joys of having a reference Amazingly, we as a group are library. Today, all of the major one of the most overlooked cataloguers have large reference resources in numismatics. THE ASYLUM t SUMMER 2000 71 K Research Query: Gultag Publications by Mike Paradis The purpose of this note is to Davis' web site showed a March share the information have 1928 issue. A Guttag advertise- I obtained on Guttag's Coin ment in the May 1928 issue of Bulletins and hopefully get some the Numismatist states: "Have feedback to build a complete list you seen our new modern up-to of this publication and any date Coin Bulletin? It is printed other publications issued by in Magazine form so that it can them. recently purchased some be bound." Therefore, appears 1 it fixed price lists that were issued the last issue of the 8 1/2 x 14 by the Guttag Brothers, all with format was the February 17th, dates between October 10, 1925 1928 issue and that the new for- and February 17, 1928. They are mat started in March of that all 8 1/2 by 14 inches, three same year. holes punched and in a three Along with the Coin Bulletins ring binder that has the Guttag are five other sheets. Four appear seal. Most issues have four sheets to be additional price lists. They with printing on the front and are numbered 20, 22 and two back. The heading on the first copies of 24. These appear to page of all the issues appears as have been included with issues follows: "COIN BULLETIN, Reg. of the Coin Bulletin. The Davis U.S. Pat. Off., Published by GUT- Auction mentioned above also TAG BROS., 16-18 Exchange contained a single sheet in the 8 Place At Beaver and Hanover 1/2 x 14 format dated March STS. NEW YORK" 1929. Again looking at the inter- The Guttag red seal is at the net picture provided by Davis, left of the heading. They are all this single sheet does not appear identified by a series followed by to have the series and number a number, i.e. Series III No.l on it. This suggests that it was have listed the series and num- intended to be an added price bers which have or know of in list like the four listed about. I the table below. As stated previ- The fifth single sheet has a ously, the last date which I have January 12, 1926 date which is February 17, 1928. A recent also coincides with an issue of Charles Davis Auction, March 4, the Coin Bulletin. It states: "Our 2000, listed a consignment as mailing list now consists of $100 follows: Guttag's Coin Bulletin Bonds, Foreign Bonds, Coin 1928-1929, Volumes 6-7, com-, Bulletins, Foreign Money Rates, plete in 14 issues, 160, 140 Joint Stock Land Bank Stocks. pages, octavo, self covered. A You will notice we have added look at the photo provided on several departments to our ever 9 72 SUMMER 2000 * THE ASYLUM increasing organization. While on any of the Guttag's publica- we realize some will have use for tions or their business or writ- all our publications we can send ings which you would like to the Foreign Money Rate Sheet share please either email me at only to dealers." have not seen [email protected] or I any of the other mentioned write to me at P.O. Box 275, NY Guttag publications. Verbank, 12585. you have any information If Guttag Coin Bulletin Issue Date Sheets Series III No.6 October 10, 1925 . . . 4 Series III No.7 December 18, 1925. 4 . Series III No.8 January 12, 1926 . . . 3 Series III No.9 February 10, 1926. 3 . . Series IV No.l May 5, 1926 4 Series IV No.2 June 21, 1926 4 Series IV No.3 July 2, 1926 4 Series IV No.4 September 17, 1926 4 . Series IV No.5 November 15, 1926 4 . Series IV No.6 January 24, 1927 4 . . . Series IV No.7 March 5, 1927 4 Series IV No.8 March 30, 1927 4 Series V No.l April 25, 1927 4 Series V No.2 May 14, 1927 4 Series V No.3 May 31, 1927 3 Series V No.4 July 1927 5 1, Series V No.5 October 28, 1927 4 . . . Series V No.6 December 2, 1927. 4 . . Series V No.7 December 28, 1927. 4 . Series V No.8 January 23, 1928 4 . . . Series V No.9 February 17, 1928. 4 . . Vol.6 No.l* March 1928 Vol.6 No.2* April 1928** 3* Vol.6 No. Vol.6 No.4* lune 1928** Vol.6 No.5* July 1928** Vol.6 No.6* August 1928** Vol.6 No.7/8* X ( Vol.6 No.9* November 1928** * Listed Charles Davis Auction, Vol.6 No. 10* March 4, 2000, Vol.7 No. 1/2* lot.422 Vol.7 No.3/4* ** Listed Remy Vol.7 No.5/6* Bourne Auction, April 7-8, 2000, Vol.7 No.7/8* lot.342. Vol.7 No. k )