Status: U Return-Path: Received: from web5201.mail.yahoo.com ([216.115.106.95]) by walker.mail.mindspring.net (Mindspring Mail Service) with SMTP id t7197p.f6bg.37kbi73 for ; Thu, 25 Jan 2001 17:13:13 -0500 (EST) Message-ID: <20010125221311.26358.qmail@web5201.mail.yahoo.com> Received: from [205.188.200.37] by web5201.mail.yahoo.com; Thu, 25 Jan 2001 14:13:11 PST Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2001 14:13:11 -0800 (PST) From: MPCgram Subject: MPC Gram 235 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 235 Thurski 25 January 2001 Taking a close look by Larry "Ski" Smulczenski A couple of weeks ago at FUN, James Rose stopped by the BNR Press table to chat. As usual it was good to renew old acquaintances and naturally an opportunity to talk about military currency. The conversation switched to fluorescence and the use of ultra violet or black light. James mentioned that he had bought a light on ebay and that he couldn't see any difference with or without the light. I was shocked, because most MPC fluoresce quite dramatically under the black light. Those of you that have not experienced this phenomena should borrow one of the lights and observe. It's like the experience of going into a bar that uses the black light for some of its stage performances. Your white shirt glows and the show that the girls put on is spectacular. I know that most of you Gram-readers have never gone into such a place so you naturally have not experienced this type of display. Anyway, foreign banknotes have all kinds of secrets on the them that are not visible to the naked eye, but become visible under black light. Numbers, messages, animals and even a halo around the central vignette can be seen by the person with one of these lights. MPC do not exhibit such novel effects but they do glow. The first thing I thought of when James said he could not see any of the MPC fluoresce, was that he had the wrong type of light. There is a long wave and a short wave ultra violet light. The long wave light is the one that excites fluorescent ink on MPC. The short wave light detects the phosphorescent coating on U.S. stamps. I have both, but only carry the long wave light to shows. As I said above, the light exposes a lot of interesting things on notes and sometimes even helps expose a note that has been doctored. I have been asked by several collectors, where to purchase one of these lights. So I'm going to pass on the address of where I got mine. There may be other companies that have them, but this is one that I've dealt with. Neither the Gram nor I get a commission or kickback from these folks. I've bought albums and pages from them for many years and always been satisfied, but I don't personally know any of the owners or operators. That should be enough of a disclaimer. This is a stamp accessory shop in Altoona, Pennsylvania. They advertise weekly in Linns Stamp News and they do have both UV lights available. I'm only going to mention the Longwave light, if you want both, you can talk to the salesperson. The Longwave light is manufactured by Lighthouse and catalogs as LH-L80 and sells for $12.75 which is a modest price. The company is Subway Stamp Shop, Inc 2121 Beale Avenue Altoona, Pennsylvania 16601 They have a toll free order line of 1-800-221-9960 and are in the process of construction a web-site at http://www.subwaystamp.com. If you are interested in a new dimension of banknote collecting you might try the black light. It's full of surprises. ==================================================== Ediorial ---------------------------------------------------- I do not know what happened to yesterday's gram. Most of you seem to have received a truncated version. We sent out a second full version today. I know that most of you love your gram, but I really do not think that you want more than one copy of any particular gram. Someday the "duplicates" might be worth big bucks, but I have not heard of any secondary market at this time. I certainly am sorry for any inconvenience. ==================================================== Mail Call ---------------------------------------------------- Dear Gram, Would like to receive your Free MPC Gram..I am Retired USMC and collect MPC specially from the Vietnam era. I was there from 5-66 to 9-67 With 3rd Bn.1st. Marines 1st. Marine Div. We Were about 2 miles south of Marble Mountain. Thank you,I do have a copy of the MPC book and it is Very good..I received it from Brad Peacock.. I heard about the MPC Gram from David Steelye..Take care and Thanks Semper Fi!! Larry H. Dear Fred, I wonder if Phil could tell you more about the tattoo!!! Paymaster Dear Paymaster, Hey, I never thought of that! In fact, if he does not know, perhaps he can find out for us. Of course strictly for educational purposes! Fred =================================================== 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 1/21/01. 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. Mr. Anonymous Donor 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 Al Glaser Phil Goldstein Harold Kroll Ian Marshall Larry Smulczenski Leo May Kevin Maloy Marv Mericle Bruce Potter David Seelye Nick Shrier Fred Schwan Dan Swartz Warner Talso (and Jane) Marcus Turner (We are well past last year's participation level. Can we double it, triple it, more?) 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 Service Club 0900-1000 equipment issue (supply sergeant) 1000-1100 pay operations (pay master) 1100-1230 show and tell, session I 1230-1330 pizza party at Service Club (mess sergeant) 1330-1800 swap session (dealer surcharge, TBD) 1800-1930 spaghetti dinner at Service Club (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 Service Club 0900-1000 research updates 1000-1230 show and tell 1230-1330 lunch at Service Club 1300-1500 field trip to WWII POW camp 1530 closing ceremonies Monday (optional, weather permitting) 0600-0630 breakfast at Service Club 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 661 $1 replacement au-unc $800. Ian Marshall, please e-mail for confirmation. iam@total.net. MPC series 461 25c choice unc $135 confirm at coinman@rochester.rr.com. MPC Series 611 5c gem CU $20. Confirm fred@papermoneyworld.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!? Yahoo! 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