============================================== MPC Gram ============================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics ---------------------------------------------- Series 003-Number 571, Thursday, March 21, 2002 Fest III Trip Report
Mark "Sparky" Watson, Adjutant
For this month's article, I originally was going to write on books related to military paper money. However, as I know Fred just loves reenactments, I decided to write a Trip Report on Fest III based loosely upon the standard published in The Tongue & Quill. For those of you not associated with the United States Air Force, The Tongue & Quill is the book on how to put together various forms of correspondence such as official letters, point papers, and trip reports. Background: What: Fest III Where: Holiday Inn Express, Port Clinton, Ohio When: 8 - 10 March 2002 Who: 30 crazy collectors from 15 different states and 2 countries Discussion: a. I arrived at the Cleveland Airport around 1420 on Thursday, 7 March 2002. After claiming my luggage, I phoned the North Chili Taxi Service, a small company personally owned and operated by David Seelye. I believe this service only does one run a year, a round trip from Cleveland Airport to Port Clinton in March. As an aside, I had done business with David for about a year or so, but only via email / phone, so it was nice to put a face to the name. After about an hour drive, we made it to the barracks. After reporting into headquarters - I called Fred - we checked into our room for the weekend. As Fred was still a little behind in assigning roommates for the Fest, we made an on-the-spot decision to room together. After taking a short trip to the Arby's for some lunch, the rest of the day consisted of hanging around the hotel lobby and meeting other Festers. This included Harold Kroll (who had actually never left after the CPMX show from the weekend before [editor's note, there is a rumor that Harold was left over from Fest II]), Warner Talso, a fellow seminarian from last summer, Sam Feedback, and Larry "I Got One" Smulczenski, better known as the Thruski reporter. Later that evening, the group moved up to Phil "I Want My MPC" Goldstein's room with dinner provided by various fast food restaurants located in Port Clinton. Here, we got a glimpse of the superb setup Phil and Larry used to put together Sunday's auction listing. b. Friday started late as I somehow missed morning revelry. After getting a quick bite at the Express buffet, most of the Festers went to the meeting room and hung around. As the day progressed, various tasks came up requiring heavy lifting of cases of books, boxes of soda, and bags of refreshments. It was after I brought in my last load that Fred handed me this year's Fest "coin" for doing a good deed. Later in the afternoon, a mini pre-bourse and informal trading session began where I purchased a Series 100, B-underprint 100 yen note. Also, Doug Bell found a couple of notes taking him over 3000 in his super-duper-deluxe position set. I also got assigned my official Fest duty of "adjutant" and began handing out in-processing packages to those in attendance. As this was my first Fest, this job allowed me a chance to meet everyone. After a fine Chinese dinner, the first official Fest activity began - Payday! Actually, there had been exhibits and a Collector's Anonymous meeting earlier, but Payday was the first event that everyone took part in. As this was my second MPC event - the summer seminar my first - I received $160 in pay. However, I only netted $140 after the mandatory voluntary contributions to this year's summer seminar scholarship fund and a war bond allotment. Festers also laid out $2 for dog tags graciously provided by Doug Bell. Of course, a barter session immediately started with various Festers trading for special serial numbers and replacement notes. Unfortunately some of us couldn't participate to the fullest as the Paymaster ran out of the current series and instead gave out coupons. c. Saturday morning rolled around and I again missed revelry. The first order of business on Saturday was distribution of the fourth edition of Fred 's MPC book. Around fifteen of us had signed up for the monster set, a special edition limited to 46 sets. Fred put everyone's name into an envelope and randomly pulled them out. Amazingly, Joe Boling got set 8. Fred drew my name last, so I took set 11, the lowest number available. Alas, I had wanted set 9 as that set matched the number to the draft copy I got at the summer seminar. Fortunately for me, my roommate had taken that set and graciously traded it to me (at least I think David was gracious). Next on the agenda came show and tell. Larry started off the session briefing his research and upcoming book on POW chits. Other show and tellers included Doug Bell on the latest developments at papermoneyworld.net and serial number aberrations in the Series 541 25 cent notes; Al Glaser on BAFSVs; and Marv Mericle on collecting MPC vignettes. Also, Larry and Harold gave a short trip report on going up to the printer's factory to pick up the new book, along with a test sheet from the book they saved from the trash. I gave a quick talk about a letter I had won off of ebay regarding Ray Toy's and Jimmie Swails's effort to start up a club for military currency collectors. I then gave the letter to Fred with a promise that he would provide me a copy so I can write an article on it for the Gram. I'm still waiting for my copy. After show and tell, lunch arrived in the form of MREs - Meals Ready to Eat - supplied by Doug Bell. However, for those of us that did not want to try that culinary delight, two 6-foot Subway sandwiches were brought in as well. For dessert, the group ate a birthday cake for Series 471 as the series had come out 55 years before. The actual birthday was on Sunday, but Saturday fit better into the schedule. Also during lunch, Fred presented the Boss - Judy Schwan - her 25-year pin from the ANA. Then, the group converted the room into a bourse with David Seelye, Ian Marshall, Mike Cummings, and Harold Kroll setting up their wares along with other Festers with their trading material. I picked up a couple of more notes, completing my 10 cent multi-printing sets in Series 481 and 641. As the bourse continued into the afternoon, the Finance Officers closed and locked the doors as concerns about black market activities and counterfeiting arose - C-hour! I know in the past it was called C-day, but it didn't take nearly that long at the Fest. One by one we exited the room to convert our Fest money. If we wanted to go back into the room, we had to leave the new stuff outside. Most of the group wandered to the lobby and again began trading and bartering for replacements and special serial numbers. I gave Harold a serial number #2 note and kept a serial number #8 note for Joe Boling. After everyone had completed the conversion, the group went back into the room for pizza. That evening, entertainment came in two different events. First was the collector's challenge trivia game between three teams of three with Phil Goldstein, Marcus Turner, and Harold Kroll the team leaders. Larry provided the questions and acted as emcee. Other than a quibble here and there (really lots of quibbles but trying to keep this report family oriented), everyone had a good time. Then came the annual poker game. I personally went back to my room to sleep, but did notice someone must have had a good time playing poker as I was awoken at 3:30 AM by my roommate rolling into the room. d. Finally, Sunday rolled around with the last highly attended event of the Fest being the auction. As I had mentioned before, Phil and Larry had done a great job cataloging the lots and getting everything ready. Larry auctioned off the lots superbly, and from what I heard, at a pace much slower than the auction at CPMX. At the conclusion of the auction, people began the migration back to the airports and homes. I checked through the in-processing forms to ensure everyone had a ride. I also volunteered to be the Adjutant for next year's Fest as well with Fred expressing much relief for not having that duty next year. Then packing up, I got a ride back to the Cleveland Airport via my personal chauffer, and I began recuperating from the experience. 3. Lessons Learned / Action Items: a. If you are going to have something listed in Sunday's auction, please either send an early message into Phil or Larry prior to the Fest, or turn it in no later than 10:00 hours on Saturday. That way, the final listing can be put together, catalogs printed, and the listing uploaded to the website. Also, Phil will sleep a lot better. b. Get a new bugler for revelry, as I never heard him the entire weekend. c. What's this Adjutant thing? Being a civilian with the Air Force, the term is foreign to me. Personally, I would like to be called the Executive Officer - Exec for short - as that is more in line with the Air Force way of doing business. d. Get your reservations in early for next year. Also, I need to revamp the in-processing package to include all the information needed to smoothly plan the rides. ============================================== Editorial ---------------------------------------------- Sparky, you want to be the exec? You can be the exec. If you can repeat your great job at Fest IV, you can be MPCKing. Thank you, Exec, for the good job at the Fest and the great report. We continue to have some technical problems, but I think that we at least have a way to get the Gram out now, but keep your fingers crossed or participate in any good luck ritual that you might know. ============================================= Mail Call ---------------------------------------------- Dear Gram, Received this mpcgram like normal. Thanks. I have been enjoyed receiving the gram every day. I have finished putting together the MPC that I used in Vietnam and am now looking at putting together the MPC that my family used when we were stationed on Okinawa in the 50's. David Serikaku My only regret is that I did not attend Fest I and II! The depth of knowledge of the attendees and their willingness to share was the most valuable aspect of the fest. (other than meeting the individuals I had > been dealing with for a number of years). Tom Koch ============================================== 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 June 29 to July 5 W.W.II numismatics seminar at ANA Summer Seminar, July 2002 Session I (June 29 through July 5, 2002) Session II (Sunday, July 7 through Thursday, July 11, 2002) general events will return --------------------------------------------------- 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 maturner@indy.rr.com or 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 Joel Shafer Ed Hoffman Howard A. Daniel, III Keith and Sue Bauman Mr. 691 ==================================================== Hot Contact List Below is the BNR Press Hot Contact List. This list serves several functions. Obviously it is an outreach by the dealers listed for your business. Most of them buy and sell MPC. Others organize shows or publish periodicals. They have supported the new Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates with their advertising. They deserve your support and patronage. Secondly, this is a draft from the book that participating dealers should check for correctness. Finally, dealers who are not on it and want to can still get their ads in if they act promptly. Respond to this email or call (419) 732-6683. We are sorry if the format is a little messed up here in the Gram, we are not sure of how to fix it! Hot Contact List Dealers and resources for collectors Name/phone/fax/email Allens (614) 882-3937 (614) 882-0662 info@allens.com American Coins & Collectibles (800) 865-3562 American Numismatic Association (800) 367-9723 ana@money.org Bob Baker (713) 864-3122 Ken Barr (408) 272-3247 ken@kenbarr.com Fred Bart (810) 979-3400 Dick Balbaton (508) 699-2266 (508) 643-1154 RJBalbaton@AOL.com Keith and Suzanne Bauman (248) 262-1514 tnaksbauman@earthlink.net Joe Bissell (602) 440-0442 (602) 494-9103 BNR Press (419) 732-6683 (419) 732-6683 fredschwan@yahoo.com Remy Bourne (800) 789-7070 (763) 789-4747 Ed Carne (614) 882-3937 (614) 882-0662 info@allens.com Champion Stamp (212) 489-8130 (212) 581-8130 Cookie Jar Collectibles (301) 604-9225 cjcpi@comcast.net Guido Crapanzano [39] 2-8056228 [39] 2-4459856 Currency Dealer Newsletter (310) 515-7369 David F. Cieniewicz (205) 852-7015 CGC (602) 493-4758 (602) 494-9103 sales@gradedcurrency.com Cygnet Charters (419) 734-2422 Ray Czahor (301) 604-9225 cjcpi@comcast.net Doric Coins & Currency (508) 699-2266 (508) 643-1154 FUN (407) 321-8747 Phil Goldstein (845) 254-MPC1 (6721)IWANTMYMPC@AOL.COM Great Lakes Bank Note Company (419) 732-6683 David Cieniewicz (256) 852-7015 Mike Cummings (863) 603-9899 (863) 603-9880 mpccoin@hotmail.com Great Lakes Bank Note Co (419) 732-6683 IBNS joeboling@aol.com Essie kashani (909) 627-3996 (909) 627-2776 kashani10@aol.com Lowel Horwdel (765) 583-2748 765 583-4584 horwdel@inshightbb.com Lyn Knight (800) 243-5211 Krause Publications (715) 445-2214 (715) 445-4087 bnr@krause.com Harold Kroll (251) 649-5134 HARBONS@AOL.com Leo May (305) 271-8391 LeoMayent@aol.com Ian Marshall (416) 445-0286 (416) 445-0286 iam@total.net Memphis Coin Club (901) 757-2515 MPCGram (419) 732-6683 MPCGram@Yahoo.com Bob Reed (504) 361-5684 bobreed@rrcoins.net Fred Schwan (419) 732-6683 David Seelye (585) 594-1987 (585) 594-2311 R. M. Smythe (800) 622-1880 (212) 908-4047 Military Trader (800) 334-7165 Fred Schwan (419) 732-6683 (419) 732-6683 FredSchwan@Yahoo.com Richie Self (318) 868-9077 Mel Steinberg & Son (415) 453-9750 (415) 457-4432 melsteinberg@mindspring.com Scott Winslow Associates (603) 472-7040 (603) 472-8773 scott@scottwinslow.com George Warner (307) 672-3700 Pam West [44] 0208 641 3224 [44] 0208 641 3224 pamwestbritnotes@compuserve.com 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 Your advertisement of material for sale (related to military money collecting) will be accepted for this section at no charge as a public service. Fourth edition Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates by Fred Schwan shipping about March 5. Order yours now. Standard edition (400 pages!) $50 Collectors's Edition (432 pages!) $95 Researchers' Edition (432 page, 46 produced, limited to availability) $125 All orders plus $4 shipping per order (NOT per book). Send snail mail payment to BNR Press, 132 E. Second St., Port Clinton, OH 43452 or PayPay using email fredschwan@yahoo.com. ALLIED MILITARY CURRENCY FOR JAPAN, SERIES 100, 'B' YEN 10 SEN A-A F $2 VF $4 AU $5 UNC $6 P-65 50 SEN A-A F $3 VF $5 XF $6 AU $7 P-67a 1 YEN A-A F $1 VF $2 XF $3 AU $4 UNC $5 P-67b 1 YEN B-B VG $8 P-67c 1 YEN C-C VG $3 F $6 VF $10 XF $15 AU $20 UNC $26 P-67d 1 YEN D-D F $6 VF $10 XF $15 AU $20 UNC $30 P-69a 5 YEN A-A F $3 VF $6 XF $9 AU $12 P-69b 5 YEN B-B UNC $40 P-71 10 YEN A-A F $3 VF $5 XF $7 AU $10 UNC $15 P-73 20 YEN A-A VG $3 F $5 VF $10 XF $20 AU $30 UNC $40 P-75 100 YEN A-A AU $25 UNC $35 Shipping is $2.50 per order. If insurance coverage is desired, the cost is extra. Please confirm availability: hoffman@rabbitbrush.com MPC for sale: Series 481 50 Cents 1st printing VG 6.00 Series 481 50 Cents 1st printing F GR 10.00 Series 481 50 Cents 1st printing F 12.50 Series 481 50 Cents 1st printing A.VF 20.00 Series 481 50 Cents 1st printing gr. VF 20.00 Series 481 50 Cents 1st printing VF 25.50 Series 481 50 Cents 1st printing gr A.EF 25.00 Series 481 50 Cents 1st printing EF 50.00 Series 481 50 Cents 1st printing A.UNC 100.00 Series 481 50 Cents 1st printing UNC stain 125.00 Series 481 50 Cents 2nd printing F-VF 15.00 Series 481 50 Cents 2nd print tape damage? VF 10.00 Series 481 50 Cents 2nd printing VF 26.00 Series 481 50 Cents 2nd printing EF 60.00 Series 481 50 Cents 2nd printing A.UNC 100.00 Series 481 50 Cents 3rd printing F 25.00 Series 481 50 Cents 3rd printing VF 75.00 Series 481 50 Cents 3rd printing EF 150.00 Please confirm at 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. Collector wants All USAFFE and AUSA Free Samar notes All 125th Infantry Regiment and Markings Guerrilla notes. I am also interested in any and all Guerilla Municipal issues. if you have any of this material for sale, advertise it in the Gram =================================================== 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 - ski@prodigy.net critic: Harold Kroll - HARBONS@aol.com scholarship coordinator - Marcus Turner maturner@indy.rr.com fact checker: Warner Talso index manager: Ed Beaman webmaster & technical advisor -- Doug Bell - (Wiz): doug@papermoneyworld.net The Boss: Judy Schwan please respond to this address or to fred@papermoneyworld.com