=======================================================
MPC Gram
======================================================
Vol 1 Number 71 July 23, 2000
News and Views
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing issued an MPC item on July 4. It is a souvenir card featuring the vignette of the submarine Thomas Edison that appeared on the back of the Series 681 fractional denominations. The card is part of the Bureau’s souvenir card program for 2000.
There are several particularly interesting aspects for MPC collectors. The vignette is specifically attributed to MPC by the BEP and I believe that this vignette was specifically engraved for use on MPC. It is not well known that MPC vignettes and designs were engraved even though the final production was by lithography.
Len Buckley, retired chief of the BEP design division, explains that this was done because it is the best way to get great line art to be used as the final copy. A few of the vignettes that appeared first on United States or Philippine paper money are available for comparisons with the lithographed-MPC versions. I think that this is the first time that an MPC specific vignette has been available for collectors.
The card is being sold by the BEP for something like $5 each and I certainly recommend that all MPC collectors obtain at least one of these. You can dig around and find the details on ordering these from the BEP or I will pick one/some up for you this summer at the ANA convention. I will pick up a bunch of these so you do not even need to order in advance. I will offer them when I get back from the convention.
There is a twist. The Bureau also produced 100 (I think) hand pulled proofs of this vignette. The BEP has a wonderful scheme that it uses at major conventions. Special souvenir versions of various vignettes are produced on hand operated spider presses. Each hour the Bureau holds a drawing. The winner of the drawing is entitled to purchase one of these souvenirs for $50! Wow, what a scam you might say. Well, it gets better. Because of the demand for these cards, there is an instant secondary market. Dealers and collectors are present at every drawing and typically offer the winner $100 for the cards! Most of the dealers who buy these cards do so on behalf of collectors who have ordered them before the show. Prices vary, usually $150-200.
You have probably guessed by now. The submarine vignette was created and sold in the way described above at a major west coast STAMP show in July! I have not seen one of these yet, but course you can expect that I think that this is wonderful.
========================================================
Letters
Dear Editor,
Why do you bad mouth Series 691 and 701 fancy numbers? Isn’t a solid number a solid number?
Keep up the good work on the gram.
Thanks,
MPC Kid
Dear Kid,
Thanks for the comments. You might be right, but perhaps not.
Regarding 691 and 701 fancies, I have been trying to make a point about what I see as a difference between obsolete issues and current/unissued issues.
Certificates from obsolete series are subject to the factors that I have discussed over the past few days: initial discovery, retention through conversion, and discovery by collectors. Current and unissued/remainders do not experience the same life cycle. Basically, it is much easier to obtain these special items for current and remaindered issues.
Of course, current issues become obsolete issues! I was in Vietnam during the use of Series 692. I did not bring home ANY high values. I was a serious numismatist, but I did not consider a $10 or $20 MPC worth the FACE value for my collection! Replacements were available, but I was not even smart enough to look for them. Even if I was knowledgeable enough, it is unlikely that I would have kept more than one each of the high values—assuming that I was able to find them. Familiarity breeds contempt I suppose.
I hope that this answers your question. I look forward to more comments on this and other subjects.
Editor
========================================================
Calendar
In this section we will highlight MPC chat, MPC Fest, and MPC gram events. Other events will be mentioned as they get close. For planning purposes see the papermoneyworld.com calendar of events.
The next major show is the American Numismatic Association Convention (August 9-13). This year the convention will be in Philadelphia. 25 years ago the ANA convention was one of the major events for paper money. Now with the development of so many successful paper money shows (and of course the MPC Fest), its importance has diminished, but it is still an important show. Because it is such a big and important show, you cannot help but find some good paper there. Marv Mericle's great MPC collection will NOT be on display as promissed because of family and administration problems. We are certainly sorry to hear about that, but hope that all goes well with Marv and that we will see the exhibit again soon.
I will be there the entire time and will be pleased to chat MPC with you!
====================================================
Trading post
Your classified advertisement for items for sale will be run here for free. Send your ads to the gram.
Very nice Australian War bond as listed in WWII Remembered. You can have a pair of one pound bonds (one each large and small size) for only $50 (for the pair!). These are particularly nice examples and will make a great addition to your collection. For particulars and to reserve your bonds, contact MPCKid at HARBONS@aol.com.
---------------------------------
please respond to this address or to fred@papermoneyworld.com
---------------------------------
Do You Yahoo!?
Get Yahoo! Mail - Free email you can access from anywhere!
--0-1681692777-964385029=:5620
Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
=======================================================
MPC Gram
======================================================
Vol 1 Number 71 July 23, 2000
News and Views
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing issued an MPC item on July 4. It is a souvenir card featuring the vignette of the submarine Thomas Edison that appeared on the back of the Series 681 fractional denominations. The card is part of the Bureau’s souvenir card program for 2000.
There are several particularly interesting aspects for MPC collectors. The vignette is specifically attributed to MPC by the BEP and I believe that this vignette was specifically engraved for use on MPC. It is not well known that MPC vignettes and designs were engraved even though the final production was by lithography.
Len Buckley, retired chief of the BEP design division, explains that this was done because it is the best way to get great line art to be used as the final copy. A few of the vignettes that appeared first on United States or Philippine paper money are available for comparisons with the lithographed-MPC versions. I think that this is the first time that an MPC specific vignette has been available for collectors.
The card is being sold by the BEP for something like $5 each and I certainly recommend that all MPC collectors obtain at least one of these. You can dig around and find the details on ordering these from the BEP or I will pick one/some up for you this summer at the ANA convention. I will pick up a bunch of these so you do not even need to order in advance. I will offer them when I get back from the convention.
There is a twist. The Bureau also produced 100 (I think) hand pulled proofs of this vignette. The BEP has a wonderful scheme that it uses at major conventions. Special souvenir versions of various vignettes are produced on hand operated spider presses. Each hour the Bureau holds a drawing. The winner of the drawing is entitled to purchase one of these souvenirs for $50! Wow, what a scam you might say. Well, it gets better. Because of the demand for these cards, there is an instant secondary market. Dealers and collectors are present at every drawing and typically offer the winner $100 for the cards! Most of the dealers who buy these cards do so on behalf of collectors who have ordered them before the show. Prices vary, usually $150-200.
You have probably guessed by now. The submarine vignette was created and sold in the way described above at a major west coast STAMP show in July! I have not seen one of these yet, but course you can expect that I think that this is wonderful.
========================================================
Letters
Dear Editor,
Why do you bad mouth Series 691 and 701 fancy numbers? Isn’t a solid number a solid number?
Keep up the good work on the gram.
Thanks,
MPC Kid
Dear Kid,
Thanks for the comments. You might be right, but perhaps not.
Regarding 691 and 701 fancies, I have been trying to make a point about what I see as a difference between obsolete issues and current/unissued issues.
Certificates from obsolete series are subject to the factors that I have discussed over the past few days: initial discovery, retention through conversion, and discovery by collectors. Current and unissued/remainders do not experience the same life cycle. Basically, it is much easier to obtain these special items for current and remaindered issues.
Of course, current issues become obsolete issues! I was in Vietnam during the use of Series 692. I did not bring home ANY high values. I was a serious numismatist, but I did not consider a $10 or $20 MPC worth the FACE value for my collection! Replacements were available, but I was not even smart enough to look for them. Even if I was knowledgeable enough, it is unlikely that I would have kept more than one each of the high values—assuming that I was able to find them. Familiarity breeds contempt I suppose.
I hope that this answers your question. I look forward to more comments on this and other subjects.
Editor
========================================================
Calendar
In this section we will highlight MPC chat, MPC Fest, and MPC gram events. Other events will be mentioned as they get close. For planning purposes see the papermoneyworld.com calendar of events.
The next major show is the American Numismatic Association Convention (August 9-13). This year the convention will be in Philadelphia. 25 years ago the ANA convention was one of the major events for paper money. Now with the development of so many successful paper money shows (and of course the MPC Fest), its importance has diminished, but it is still an important show. Because it is such a big and important show, you cannot help but find some good paper there. Marv Mericle's great MPC collection will NOT be on display as promissed because of family and administration problems. We are certainly sorry to hear about that, but hope that all goes well with Marv and that we will see the exhibit again soon.
I will be there the entire time and will be pleased to chat MPC with you!
====================================================
Trading post
Your classified advertisement for items for sale will be run here for free. Send your ads to the gram.
Very nice Australian War bond as listed in WWII Remembered. You can have a pair of one pound bonds (one each large and small size) for only $50 (for the pair!). These are particularly nice examples and will make a great addition to your collection. For particulars and to reserve your bonds, contact MPCKid at HARBONS@aol.com.
please respond to this address or to fred@papermoneyworld.com
Do You Yahoo!?
Get Yahoo! Mail - Free email you can access from anywhere!
--0-1681692777-964385029=:5620--