Status: U Return-Path: Received: from web5203.mail.yahoo.com ([216.115.106.97]) by walker.mail.mindspring.net (Earthlink Mail Service) with SMTP id t9nbg3.2rok.37kbi73 for ; Tue, 27 Feb 2001 08:39:15 -0500 (EST) Message-ID: <20010227133913.8145.qmail@web5203.mail.yahoo.com> Received: from [152.163.197.202] by web5203.mail.yahoo.com; Tue, 27 Feb 2001 05:39:13 PST Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 05:39:13 -0800 (PST) From: MPCgram Subject: MPCGram 267 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 267 Tuesday 27 February 2001 Long Beach MPC Show Strong by Al Glaser-"Company Clerk" MPC... Alive and well in Long Beach I have just returned from the Long Beach Collectibles show in California. I was very impressed with the amount of material to be found and the number of attendees asking if dealers had any MPC. Fortunately, multiple printings have not yet filtered down to the majority of dealers, as I was able to find a very clean VF example of both the 25c and 50c series 521 third printings. I had a 50c but the 25c has proven to be quite elusive in any grade. Replacements were also a hot topic. Many collectors were asking for replacements and I don't think they collected MPC. I was able to find some very nice replacements at quite reasonable prices. Unlike some of the prices realized on eBay auctions, which seem to be very inflated. I was able to pick up a number of replacements at half the price of what I see notes selling for on eBay, including a 2nd and third printing of the 10c series 521 both in nice shape with recorded serial numbers. I really went to the show to look for AMC and British Military issues as I have recently added this area to my collecting addiction. Since I needed all issues, I was like a kid in a candy store. I found quite a few wonderful pieces that included a GEM 25 shilling Austrian and a GEM 500 franc note. I look forward to getting together with everyone at Fest. As far as I am concerned, you can give me a military rank and duty or not. You can use a military theme or not. I was never in the military as my draft number was 360; I am simply a collector of military paper money. I am traveling to Fest to meet other collectors, talk about MPC, and learn more about this fascinating area of paper money from people who know a hell of a lot more about MPC than I do. Use any theme you want to, I'm sure we are all going to have a wonderful time. Personalities--Bill Churchwell by Joe Boling Bill Churchwell was another of the early post-occupation era collectors of Japanese material. I met Bill at the Atlanta ANA in 1977, but have only three letters from him in my files. The first (1977) sent me an address of another Japan specialist; one in 1980 offered to acquire a Korean pattern 1/2 niang for me for $1600 (I had to pass--broke); and one in 1981 offered me seven old editions of the JNDA catalog (total price $200, if you can believe that). I bought them. Bill lived in Memphis, and I saw him occasionally when I attended the paper money show. But the most significant item I have from him is a piece of art that his wife made. It was consigned to a dealer in one of those multi-stall antique emporiums--in this case, in Atlanta. I went out to see it and bought it while attending that 1977 ANA. The art style was developed by court ladies during pre-Meiji days. It consists of drawing a design with glue and then sprinkling dyed ground silk cocoons on the wet glue. One has to do each color separately and let the last one dry before moving to the next color. The piece is a painting of a samurai helmet; it's not perfect, but one expects minor imperfections in hand-made art. It's the only piece of such art that I have encountered. I don't remember when Bill died; I simply have his entry marked as "deceased" in my address file. His wife pre-deceased him by several years. I have no idea what happened to his collection. ==================================================== Editorial ---------------------------------------------------- It looks like Fest preparations will be interrupted by that pesky Chicago Paper Money Exposition! Actually, I am getting excited about that too, but do not imagine how I can possibly get ready for either of these events, much less both! Leo May hit he road this morning heading for Chicago and his annual 6-7 month road journey. As mentioned last week, Ski has already departed, so the events must be getting close! For those of you who cannot make one or the other, we will try to keep you informed here in your gram. =================================================== Mail Call --------------------------------------------------- Dear Editor, Would be happy to hear from the Air Force Guy. While in the military, I observed the custom of having the junior officer(grade and date of rank-almost always a 2LT) serve as the Taster of Food at the Battalion Dining In(a formal gathering of all the unit's officers controlled by the battalion commander). Often known as Mr Vice, if the food was not fit for consumption he died leaving the more senior personnel alive. I think the Romans did this too. If warrant officers were in the unit, the junior warrant would be appointed as the Couth Control Officer. In this way, good manners would be practiced by all. Those of you who know or were warrant officers also realize that couth was often a rare commodity in the military. Hence, a little built-in humor. Air Force Guy, would be happy to receive an email. Send to forwebfootbob@earthlink.net. webfootbob PFC, 5 Mar 79 Date of Rank Dear Editor; I figured I would ruffle some feathers when I said I felt too much emphasis on the Gram being military and I was correct. I did put 20 years in the Air Force and was also PROUD TO SERVE. In fact I volunteered to go to Vietnam and spent 5 1/2 years in the Area. I was stationed mostly in Thailand because that was where the Air Force mostly worked out of. But I worked in Laos and Cambodia for the CIA calibrating their equipment that was stationary, I also spent many trips to Vietnam to help the people there repair and calibrate a special piece of equipment. These were 10-20 days at a time and probably 50 trips. They were trained the same as I was on the equipment but called me when they couldn't fix it. All of this I did while being the Superintendent of Calibration Labs in Thailand. What made it worse is that I was an E-6 at the time and had E-7s and E-8s working on the bench under me. They took the rank but would not take the responsibility that went with it. I could have sent one of my workers on these TDYs but felt that as I was the supervisor I should take the risk these jobs had with them. I also had many trips to the Philippines for conferences. I asked to be put on your mailing list expecting to be welcomed as a collector and not because I was in the service. Where I am at there are very few people collecting even world paper money and this would give me a chance to meet like collectors. I was a loner in the service and didn't join the NCO Clubs because I didn't drink and small talk about others jobs never interested me. I see I made one man mad because I mentioned that most went to the clubs for drinking. They did and it hit home on him I guess. I received many medals and ribbons while doing my job but gave them to kids I would meet in the countries I was in. I felt that I took an oath when I went into the service to lay my life down if necessary for my country. I didn't do it to get a gold star whenever I did my job. Others seem to think otherwise. That is ok also. I spent time in North Africa and Panama also. In Panama I traveled to all the countries in South and Central America calibrating their equipment. In all foreign countries I learned the language of that country and made many friends. I did not play the part of the Ugly American and say " Why don't these people learn to speak English." I sat back, listened to their lives' stories and lived in their houses no matter how they lived. I stayed in homes on stilts and walls and roofs made of straw. I didn't look down on them just because they didn't live as I did. I joined with them and learned much. Too many GI's spent their time off at a bar or houses of prostitution and hated the locals. They never took the time to learn their way of life. They missed out on a lot because of this. What I am trying to say is that if I am a bother to anyone in your group and they don't want my opinions or me than just drop me from your e-mail list. I appreciate the books on MPCs and World War II remembered. These books helped me learn a lot I didn't know. I thank you for that. I hope that this letter doesn't cause as much of a stir as the last one. If they vote me out of the club so be it but I will give my opinion if I feel the need to. That doesn’t mean all have to agree. Pat & Ted G. Dear Ted, Thank you for writing again. Again, I could comment for hours but will try to hold it down. You cannot be voted out of the club. Not be cause it is a dictatorship (as some would say), but because it is not a club. This is simply a newsletter by of and for collectors of military money. Make that military numismatics which includes more than money. The only requirement is that you are interested in military numismatics, which you obviously are. One of the advantages of a daily frequency and electronic format is that there is plenty of room and little expense to letters etc. Here is where the alleged dictatorship comes in. The editor (usually I) makes the decision about what goes in and when. However, partially because of the above frequency/cost issues, most everything goes in. The biggest exceptions to this are items that I misplace (too frequent happening) and things that the editor (I) deem too inflammatory. I can think of only one example of this inflammatory situation. In that case I asked the writer to either tone it down just a little or allow me to do it and I would have been happy to run it. The writer declined. Your letter brings up the other reason for publishing just about everything. I have learned that I am not a good judge of what will interest other people. I am certain that there will be one or more readers who will be most interested in your letter. I do hope, however, that you will take the time to share some of your experiences with coins and paper money in these many and far flung places! We definitely would like to read those experiences! Thanks again for writing. Dear Editor Wish I could make it to the Fest, but between my business, building custom computers, and the wife and kids, I'm a little strapped for time. I'm hoping to make it next year. Hope to hear from you soon. Take care! Jim (gunsmith) =================================================== 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 2/12/01. 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 Sue and Keith Bauman Ed B. Doug Bell Tom Denly, Denly's R. A. Medina Harold MPCKid Kroll Leo "Paymaster" May Mrs. R.C. Matherne Bill McNease Marcus Turner Larry Ski Guido Fred PK6 Joel Shafer World Wide Ventures John & Nancy Wilson Neil Shafer W. E. Yanchick ----------------------------------------------------- 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, Sam Feeback, Al Glaser, Phil Goldstein, Rod Hardy, Wesley Hardy, Gary Hicks, Harold Kroll, Jack Lippincott, Ian Marshall, Larry Smulczenski, Bill McNease, Leo May, Kevin Maloy, Marv Mericle, Bruce Potter, David Seelye, Nick Schrier, Fred Schwan, Dan Swartz, Warner Talso (and Jane), Marcus Turner, Tom Warburton, William E Yanchick, Dick Freyser (We are well past last year's participation level. We have doubled that level. Can we triple it, more? If you have made a reservation and your name does not appear above, please contact the gram immediately (MPCgram@yahoo.com). PayPal and PayDirect are available, the associated email address is fred@papermoneyworld.com. It works great. We love it. A copy of the schedule of events and other particulars is available from MPCGram@yahoo.com. Remarks: registration is $164, after March 1, $189). 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. Confirmed reservations will be listed daily in the gram—make your reservations now! Additional information; the Holiday Inn Express is located at 50 NE Catawba Road, 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. FOR SALE Retail Merchants Bureau of Boise, Idaho "tokens," $5.00, limit ONE shipped postpaid. (please no checks on this item) WOW!! These are by the way, new, mint, as made, uncirculated or whatever you wish to call them. So in honor of Presidents Day, rush your payment to: Doric C&C POB 911 N Attleborough MA 02761-0911-11 USA Victory Peso - 2 Peso Replacement. Pick 95a in VF serial F00071929*. 100.00. Contact Tom at kochfam@gte.net MPC Series 641 50c CU $21, David Seelye, email for confirmation coinman@rochester.rr.com. US military chits: NCO & EM Open Mess/Cam Ranh Bay 96312 $10 booklet covers with one each 5, 10, 25 (canceled) chits, $35, email for confirmation iam@total.net WANTED Collectors may submit lists of items wanted for their collections for listing here. Dealers and collectors who have these items are then encouraged to list them for sale in the above section. This is a trial, if you like it, send your list. Wanted by a collector: a 481 $5.00 in Fine or better. =================================================== Staff: publisher and editor: Fred Schwan - fred@papermoneyworld.com; assistant editor - Phil Goldstein IWANTMYMPC@aol.com 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/