Status: U Return-Path: Received: from web12703.mail.yahoo.com ([216.136.173.240]) by tyner.mail.mindspring.net (Earthlink Mail Service) with SMTP id tskj80.i2e.37kbi5q for ; Sun, 14 Oct 2001 22:42:08 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: <20011015024207.70560.qmail@web12703.mail.yahoo.com> Received: from [152.163.195.202] by web12703.mail.yahoo.com via HTTP; Sun, 14 Oct 2001 19:42:07 PDT Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2001 19:42:07 -0700 (PDT) From: MPCgram Subject: MPCGram 457/3 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 457 Sunday, October 16, 2001 BAFSV info by Larry "Ski" Smulczenski First of all I want to thank Al for suggesting a topic for this weeks column. I have been writing the Thurski column for nearly a year now and there comes a point when I wonder what you all want to hear. It feels like the weeks keep getting shorter to the point where there are only two days in a week, the day I write an article and then it seems like its only the next day when its time to do the next one. Where do the days go? Al asked about the 2-shilling 6-pence from the third series of British Armed Forces Special Vouchers in the Gram a couple of days ago. He said that he had "picked up" an issued noted but claimed that only the specimen for this note is listed in any reference. First, Al let me congratulate you for getting a truly great note, and then let me chastise you for not reading World War II Remembered. I can't believe that you would go to Pick to try and find out about a military note instead of going to the "bible". WWII Remembered says that all the notes from the third series "...finally ... are known to exist in private collections." The notes from the third series were quite scarce until the Ministry of Defence (MOD) sold large numbers of three of the values during two sales. Your 2/6 along with the 3p, 6p and 5sh. were not part of these governmental sales. The job to print these notes was given to De La Rue by the Bank of England in August of 1948. De La Rue's name is on the notes, however, the actual printing was done by John Waddington Ltd and completed on 30 September, 1948. Since the Bank of England had limited storage space, the vouchers remained at De La Rue until 30 May 1949 when 516 boxes of notes were shipped to the Bank. The Bank notified the War Office in no uncertain terms that this was only temporary until other accommodations could be found. The War Office looked for a suitable site and finally settled on the basement of Lansdowne House which is one of the buildings occupied by the MOD in Berkeley Square, in the middle of London. There they remained until the crisis in the Middle East brought on by the nationalization of the Suez canal in June 1956 and the resulting British and French airborne landings at Post Said (Operation Musketeer) on 5 November 1956 in order to secure the canal, changed all this. Third series vouchers were shipped to Cyprus, Libya, and Malta as well as locations in the U.K. for issue to troops bound for Egypt. Only about 775,000 Pounds shipped to Cyprus and a small amount shipped to Malta were put into circulation. On the 21st of November 1956, a hastily assembled United Nations Force arrived and by the 22nd of December 1956, the British departed. Therefore, the third series was only in use for a period of slightly less than two months. Most of the boxes were returned to Lansdowne House unopened. The used vouchers were also returned after they were redeemed from the troops. As can be expected, a small number of issued vouchers were never redeemed, either lost or kept by the troops as souvenirs. Records show that 989 pieces of the 2/6 like you own were never turned in for redemption. That truly is a small number when you consider that a large number of these probably found their way to the black market where they could not be redeemed. What happened to the notes between December of 1956 and the time of the MOD sales is unknown. The other question that remains unanswered is why weren't the four values mentioned above include in one or the other of the MOD sales? Most of the information that comprises this article came from an excellent book by Theo. van Elmpt entitled British Armed Forces Special Vouchers. The book also talks about secret marks on these notes and others in the BAFSV various series, but that's for a future column. I hope that answers your question Al. If your looking for a good home for your note, I know where there is one in Northwest Florida. Also, I suggest that it might not be too early to start hinting that you would like Santa to bring you a copy of World War II Remembered for Christmas. ============================================== Editorial ----------------------------------------------- This is certainly a late Gram. I am very sorry about that. Of course there are very long stories associated with this interruption! The final twist was that I was very sick upon return from Eruope. The other reasons will have to wait so that I can share them in the days to come. Thank you for your patience. ============================================== Mail Call ----------------------------------------------- Dear Editor, For Al "94" Glaser. There was a series 651, 50 cent serial number A02010694A sold in R.M. Smyth Sale #191, Strasburg in Sept 99. Along this same line, I am still maintaining a record of all owners of the series 651 fractional notes. If you own a set, please advise me at marv626@gatewa.net. If you are looking for a certain serial number in this group, let me know. The Indiana State Numismatic Association (ISNA) show is being held in Indianapolis on Nov 2-3 2001. Not much to find in military currency, but some great exhibits!! Now looks like you can add Elmer Smith and myself to the list for MPC FEST III. Still would like to know about a rough copy or sample copy or what ever you want to call it, of the new MPC book. Enjoy and look forward to the GRAM everyday. Was pleased to see ANA knows a good thing when they see it. Wonder How many more clubs or groups or organizations will follow you steps in creating a news letter on the internet?? Well, you started all this!!! Now I look forward to the GRAM. Are You doing Okay??? Haven't received a gram and I am getting withdrawals!! Last GRAM was the 8th. Let me know. Marv ================================================ Departments ------------------------------------------------- Calendar of events for Gramsters maintained by Howard Daniel, Nancy and John Wilson and Gram staff, last updated September 7, 2001 show reports are requested on all events. Even if it was not a great show, there must be something to report. What and whom did you see? Market activity? Share your observations and thoughts with Gramsters everywhere. ---------------------------------------------------- Special "MPC" events March 2002 8-10 - MPCFest III - reservations in order received: Guido Crapanzano, Harold Kroll, Larry Smulczenski, Gary "Got any fours" Hicks, Tom Warburton, David Seelye, Jack Lippincot, Phil Goldstein, Warner Talso, Nich Schrier, Tom Koch, Mark Watson, Bill Yanchick, Doug Bell, Sam Feeback, Bruce Potter, Elmer Smith, Marv Mericle, Fred Schwan {running total 19}] W.W.II numismatics seminar at ANA Summer Seminar, July 2002 Session I (Sunday, June 30 through Thursday, July 4, 2002) Session II (Sunday, July 7 through Thursday, July 11, 2002) --------------------------------------------------- Donations are now being accepted for scholarships to the 2002 "Military Money" course at the 2002 ANA Summer Seminar. Inquiries and donations should be sent to: Military Numismatists c/o Marcus Turner 8103 East US Highway 36 Suite 163 Avon, IN 46123 Donors to 2002 Scholarship Fund Steve Feller Harold Kroll R. A. Medina Guido Crapanzano David Seelye Leo May Warner Talso Marv Mericle Mark Watson Gail Baker ==================================================== 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 Greenland 1, 5, 20 Skilling Pick M8,9,10 crisp UNC $ 85.00 postpaid insured for domesic delivery. coinman@rochester.rr.com 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 or sale in the above section. This is a trial, if you like it, send your list. =================================================== Staff: publisher and editor: Fred Schwan - MPCGram@Yahoo.com; assistant editor - Phil Goldstein IWANTMYMPC@aol.com distribution manager - Brad Peacock bp22@swbell.net Tuesday columnist Joe Boling – JoeBoling@aol.com Thurski columnist Larry “Ski” Smulczenski –skifla@prodigy.net critic: Harold Kroll - MPCKid@AOL.com; index manager: Ed Beaman webmaster & technical advisor: Doug Bell - (Wiz): doug@papermoneyworld.net; 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!? Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals. http://personals.yahoo.com