Return-Path: Received: from web5201.mail.yahoo.com ([216.115.106.95]) by osgood.mail.mindspring.net (Mindspring Mail Service) with SMTP id t6a6jb.4be.30ahi43 for ; Tue, 16 Jan 2001 23:07:07 -0500 (EST) Message-ID: <20010117040706.20739.qmail@web5201.mail.yahoo.com> Received: from [205.188.200.57] by web5201.mail.yahoo.com; Tue, 16 Jan 2001 20:07:06 PST Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2001 20:07:06 -0800 (PST) From: MPCgram Subject: MPC Gram 227 To: mpcgram@yahoo.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii ==================================================== MPC Gram ==================================================== Covering the Entire World of Military Numismatics ---------------------------------------------------- Series 002-Number 227 Wednesday -17 January 2001 Propaganda note update by Herb Friedman Radio Free Europe "Hunger Crown" parody of Czechoslovakian 1 koruna Socialist Republic State note of 1953 [P-78], with propaganda messages in Czech. At upper right on the front is "Hladova koruna -- dar Sovetskehosvazu..." ("Men call this the hunger crown --gift of the Soviet Union. It is the symbol of regime desperation, of Five-Year failure; it is a challenge to fight, to meet weakness with strength, to resist as you know best. The other captive peoples are uniting and will join you in your struggle. The free world is with you. All power to the people!"). At upper left on the back is "Cesi a Slovaki!..." ("Czechoslovaks, know this! Power lies with the people and the people stand opposed. With unity and courage, organize your strength. Down with the collective! Insist on workers' rights! Today demand concessions; tomorrow --freedom!"). Prepared by Reynolds Offset, printer of New York City, in sheets of 40(5x8); reference: Ken Graeber, letter to the editor in I.B.N.S. Journal 24, 2 (July 1985), page 37. Sent into East Germany by balloon from Tirschenreuth in Bavaria between 13 and 17 July 1953, in a RFE campaign code-named Operation Prospero. This was a hurriedly prepared tactical exercise prompted by the riots in Prague, Pilsen, and Ostrava brought on by the drastic Czechoslovak currency reforms that effectively wiped out the savings of the population. In the four days of the operation, some 12 million messages were delivered by 6,512 balloons! The operation was closely coordinated with radio broadcasts by RFE's Voice of Free Czechoslovakia. The violent reactions of the Czechoslovak regime, which included largely futile attempts to shoot down the balloons using MIGs, Messerschmitt 109Fs, and anti-aircraft guns, attest to the effectiveness of the campaign. References: Allan A. Michie, Voices Through the Iron Curtain, Dodd, Mead & Co., 1963; Herb Friedman, "Propaganda currency of East and West," Whitman Numismatic Journal, September 1967, page 552; Herb Friedman, "Cold War propaganda currency," I.B.N.S. Journal 24, No. 1 (1985), page 3; and Michael Rowder, "The Czechoslovak Hunger's Crown fight against Communism," I.B.N.S. Journal 34, No 4 (1995), page 47. ==================================================== Editorial ---------------------------------------------------- I received a number of complaints in the last 24 hours about me and my management of your gram (and other matters). Some of them seem worthy of discussion here. I am sorry to admit that I have become a very poor correspondent. I do not promptly answer all correspondence (snail or electronic). I often do not get around to answering them at all. This was called and is indeed rude behavior. I am sorry about this. Some of the reasons are good, but mostly it is poor time management on my part. I guess I expect my friends (all gramsters) to have recognized this flaw and have expected you to understand and forgive me on this. I have no right to have this expectation, but I do. I am sorry that I cannot make a serious promise to change in this regard. Some of my decisions as your editor were also questioned. I have come up with a solution that I believe will eliminate most offensive mistakes and create a greater gram. We can form a volunteer committee to review all editorial submissions. Then we can have a committee review the committee’s work. Possibly we can cut some of the fat from our current staff in this way. Then we can publish the gram on a quarterly basis and be sure that the very best and least controversial or offensive materials are included. ==================================================== Mail Call ---------------------------------------------------- Put me down for attendance. Look forward to seeing everyone there. Marvin Mericle. =================================================== Departments --------------------------------------------------- WWII numismatics seminar at ANA Summer Seminar 2001 --------------------------------------------------- Not only does the scholarship fund have an official identity but also has a bank account! Any further donations should be paid to the order of "Military Numismatists Scholarship" and sent to: Military Numismatists c/o Marcus Turner 8103 East US Highway 36 Suite 163 Avon, IN 46123 THE UPDATED LIST OF SCHOLARSHIP BENEFACTORS 11/22/00. These folks have generously provided money or material to finance scholarships to the ANA WWII Numismatics seminar. Your contributions will help promote collecting WWII material and be greatly appreciated. Mike Cummings Ed B. Doug Bell R. A. Medina Harold MPCKid Kroll Leo "Paymaster" May Bill McNease Marcus Turner Larry Ski Fred PK6 Joel Shafer World Wide Ventures John & Nancy Wilson Neil Shafer ----------------------------------------------------- MPC Fest II ----------------------------------------------------- MPC Fest is the annual feast of MPC. After some difficulties of coordination we have not changed the dates and tentatively scheduled 9-11 March 2001 for MPC Fest II. Confirmed participants in MPC Fest II Doug Bell Bill McNease Harold Kroll Larry Smulczenski Leo May Marcus Turner Kevin Maloy Marv Mericle Bruce Potter Nick Shrier Fred Schwan (the next reservation ties last year's participation) If you have made a reservation and your name does not appear above, please contact the gram immediately (MPCgram@yahoo.com). Tentative schedule as of 15 January 2001 Friday March 8 1500-1900 Arrivals at Comfort Inn 1900-2030 no host dinner at Cisco and Charlies 2030-2300 bull session at Comfort Inn 2400 lights out Saturday breakfast at Comfort Inn 0730-0845 breakfast at Comfort Inn 0900-1000 equipment issue (supply sergeant) 1000-1100 pay operations (pay master) 1100-1230 show and tell, session I 1230-1330 pizza party at Comfort Inn (mess sergeant) 1330-1800 swap session (dealer surcharge, TBD) 1800-1930 spaghetti dinner at Comfort Inn (mess sergeant) 1930-2030 secret operations 2000-2345 commemorative poker game at Comfort Inn 2200 MPC chat (simultaneous with poker game) 2400 lights out Sunday 0830-0900 breakfast at Comfort Inn 0900-1000 research updates 1000-1230 show and tell 1230-1330 lunch at Comfort Inn 1300-1500 field trip to WWII POW camp 1530 closing ceremonies Monday (optional, weather permitting) 0600-0630 breakfast 0700-1400 Walleye fishing trip Remarks: registration is $139 per person. This includes two nights lodging (double occupancy, room assignments by first sergeant the only possible exception is married couples), Meals as indicated (Friday evening not included), equipment and amenities. The value of souvenirs and goodies distributed will likely exceed the cost of the entire Fest. Reservations accepted now at MPCGram@yahoo.com, deposits ($50 minimum) accepted at MPC Fest, 132 East Second Street, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452. Late registration surcharges: after February 15 $25, after March 1 $50. Confirmed reservations will be listed daily in the gram—make your reservations now! Additional information; the Comfort Inn is located at 1723 East Perry Street, Port Clinton, Oh 43452, you may use one of the online map services to get exact driving directions. DO NOT make your own reservations or inquiries. The best airports in order of distance are Toledo (45 mins), Cleveland (90 mins), Detroit (100 mins). We will try to coordinate ground transportation, but there are no guarantees here. Questions: send your questions to MPCgram@yahoo.com. In most cases the questions will be answered in the letters section of the gram. After all, if you have the question, someone else probably does too. ==================================================== Post/Base Exchange (PX/BX/NEX) Dump your dupes! Your classified advertisement for items for sale will be run here for free. Send your ads to the gram. This service is for everyone, most humble dealer or most advanced collector. The point is to make the gram more interesting. Send in a list of items for sale and we will list them here in the gram. In all cases confirm your order via email first. MPC Series 651 $5 uncirculated $200. Ian Marshall, please e-mail for confirmation. iam@total.net. Service ribbon with red, white and blue vertical bands and "ARC", a red cross, and "ETO" in the three bands from left to right. Unlisted in "WWII Remembered." Has a plastic-like cover which has preserved it to like-new condition! Bought on Jan 13 in Raleigh, NC, flea market for $3. and will sell for $4. postpaid. Please e-mail for confirmation. Howard@SEAsianTreasury.com =================================================== Staff: publisher and editor: Fred Schwan - fred@papermoneyworld.com; assistant editor - Phil Goldstein critic: Harold Kroll - MPCKid@papermoneyworld.com; index manager: Ed Beaman webmaster & technical advisor: Doug Bell - (Wiz): doug@papermoneyworld.com; The Boss: Judy Schwan ===== MPC Gram is published by BNR Press and papermoneyworld.com as a free service to the community of military money collectors. Your suggestions, criticisms, complaints, editorial contributions, letters, and even praise are very welcome. The entire contents including linked illustrations are copyright protected by the publishers. In the case of contributors, the copyright is protected on behalf of the creators. Please send all correspondence regarding the gram to MPCgram@yahoo.com. Thank you very much for your participation. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/