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CPMX Report
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WESPMEX: 12 -14 April
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Dealers and resources for collectors:
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FOR SALE
WANTED
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MPC Gram
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Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics
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Series 003 - Number 584, Thursday - 04 APRIL 2002
___________________
__330 days to Fest IV__
FEATURED ARTICLE
By Larry "Ski" Smulczenski
I am back home after over three weeks up in the frozen north and have almost thawed out. Because of a busy schedule, lack of computer facilities, problems with getting the Gram out, and other lame excuses, I haven't written a Thurski article for the last month. But it is now time to file a trip report from the great adventure starting with the CPMX show. Joe wrote about the show but I would like to include my thoughts.
Your editor and I arrived at the show on Thursday around two o'clock. Since the auction was about to start at six, there was only one thing to do and that was to head to the auction viewing and start looking at the lots. Magnificent is an understatement. It has been a long time since world notes of this caliber have been seen at auction in this country. I was like that proverbial kid in the candy store, surrounded by all those goodies and having a total of two pennies in his pocket. But as the advertisement says, "...for everything else -- there is Mastercard."
As usual, Lyn Knight served up quite a meal before the auction. As we ate there was quite a buzz around the room as anxious bidders worked off nervous energy awaiting the auction start. When it did start many of us were amazed at the speed the lots were knocked down. The prediction that we would sell 300 lots an hour was easily reached. If you think about that, its five lots a minute or one every 12 seconds. That's really moving and was a little quick for some of us old timers that need a little more time to think. I missed one lot because it came at the top a page and I was still thinking about the lot that was on the page that we had just finished. I learned real fast that you had to be ready for anything you were interested in about 10 lots ahead of the auctioneer. There was no keeping track of sale prices if you were bidding. Once you raised your paddle, you didn't have a lot of time to make decisions. Hang in there and hope for the best. I was able to walk away with eight lots that will find cherished homes in my collection. A couple of them were POW chit lots that will help in our latest undertaking of producing a book on this area.
Overall I thought the auction was a great success. The notes that comprised the auction were rare, high grade items that are infrequently seen on the market. Compliments to Lyn Knight and Joel Shafer for going out and getting quality stuff for us to bid on. The Leo May MPC portion saw quite a bit of action and the tough notes brought good prices. Of course there are always going to be country's in a world note auction that don't do well. If there is little interest in the country, the notes go begging. But for the most part, there was interest in most of the notes, especially the Korean and Thai MPC coupons which did very well.
It was unfortunate, but understandable, that the auction was held on Thursday night. I heard several comments the next day that having the auction the day before the show opened to the public was a disappointment to a number of collectors. The common opinion was that they could not afford another day away from work as well as another night in a high priced hotel room to attend the auction but would have been there eagerly if it was held on Friday or Saturday. We collectors of world notes have to realize that in this country, U.S. notes are were the bread and butter is for the Auction Company so they are going to give the choice nights to the auctions featuring U.S. material. That's what happened here. Just compare the last U.S. note in the auction on Saturday, which was hammered down for $90,000 plus juice and compare that with the entire MPC section that only brought about 30 per cent more than that and then you make the business decision. I think most of us were happy to finally have a quality auction to attend. Let's hope that there will be others.
The auction ended before 10 o'clock, so there was a gathering in your editors room on the fifth floor. Discussion of auction results and the new Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates abounded. A little while later there was a commotion in the outside hall. Had someone complained about all this talk about MPC? No, it seems that these were no smoking rooms and equipped with smoke alarms monitored only in the managers office that detect violators. It seems that the next door occupant possible was ignoring this restriction and the night manager came up to check on the alarm. The occupant ignored the knocking on the door and the manager left to pursue another course of action. Shortly, Hotel Security arrived and the commotion in the hallway got louder, but no amount of pounding or shouting got a response from the occupant so they gave up. About twenty to thirty minutes later, Chicago Police arrived, with a room key and chain cutters. They open the door, cut the safety chain and barge into the room. The occupant who is free-basing cocaine, gets belligerent and pepper spray or Mace is dispensed. He breaks away from cops and takes a header through the fifth floor window. Don't ask me how he did it, but he did. Landed on the hood of a car, shattering that window. Leon Thornton's car was parked next to it and got covered with window and windshield glass plus some blood. The amazing part is that this kook was able to get up and tried to run away. Goes to show you how loose you are when your stoned. Anyway the cops picked him up and we heard the next day that he was in the hospital and recovering. See what kind of excitement you miss when you don't attend these major paper money shows.
As a sideline, I told Fred if we had the foresight to park his car which was full of the new Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates, under that guys window so that he landed on it and crushed a couple of boxes of books, Fred could have had a new condensed version of the book to sell.
More on the trip, next week.
EDITORAL
Sounds like a blast, both at the CPMX auction, and the after hours "activities" I wasn't aware that the hotels now allow freestyle unattached bungee jumping. Keeping in mind that this joker survived, reminds me of a old medical adage... It's not the fall that kills you, it's the sudden stop at the end! I am all to aware of how quickly the "bullet" auction sped through lots. I was bidding through a live agent using a cell phone, and was preparing to bid on a lot, after winning the previous one. Next thing I knew I was two lots past the I wanted. Wasn't too pleased about that at all. Oh well, I'll be better prepared next tmie.
As for the Gram, So far so good. We're getting alot of positive feedback concerning the upgrades. To date, I've only received two emails about recipients not getting a readable copy. We have Doug and Russ working on this problem. Turns out that text only operationing systems (unix?) don't translate the fancy gram correctly...We will see what their efforts will bring.
MAIL CALL
Just got on line, and read your new GRAM. First, thanks for putting me back on the mailing list, and second -- What a great looking GRAM. You can be proud of the fine work. It is truly great to read and enjoy. Thanks again. Marv
Hi Phil! One more thing I wanted to mention, I had made "3D" glasses to view MPC! and "YOU" gave me the idea! I had "Lenscrafters" make me a pair to "view" my MPC! and they are SO COOL!!!! I spent $1000 to make some proto types (6 pairs). and sent a pair to "Fred", he has them now! Thought you might appreciate my efforts based on your "tip" to me on our "one time " phone call a year or two ago. The high quality ground lenses makes it a pleasure to "experience" the notes! like in series #521/#541! Also works on Magazines!! and Stamps, World currency, etc.! Also as "trippy Party glasses!" for de-ranged teenagers like I was once! Well, Note: I made them as reading glasses and clear "clip over " types! Well, Best Wishes,
Guy Araby
Hi Guy,
Glad to see someone listens to me ONCE in a while! But I don't know if I woulda spent a grand! I buy a dozen of the paper 3-D glasses they use at the movie theaters. They are almost always listed on eBay, and are dirt cheap. For those of you who do not understand the reason for this conversation, you need to view issues of MPC through
3-D glasses. I tried this about a year ago, and I noticed that alot of the issues Series 481 and up, appear to exhibit 3 Dimensional qualities when viewed through the glasses, in normal daylight, incandescent or fluorescent light. (When viewed though the glasses in ultra-violet "black light" The blue is cancelled. - nothing special there) But the results under regular lighting conditions will make you wonder, if those really campy 1950's 3-D horror flix had taken their toll on the MPC designers of that time!
Phil
Any Italian speakers out there? I need a little help from our Italian-speaking members. I have a propaganda Christmas card sent by the Germans to the Italians late in the war. It shows Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin giving gifts of misery and famine to baby Jesus. The text is:
Auguriamo a tutti Buon Natale, con la certezza che nel 1945...i doni deitre Re Magi...non siano quelli offerti dal nemico!
Which we have translated loosely as: "Merry Christmas to everybody, surely knowing that in 1945...the gift of the three Magi...are not the gift of the enemy." I can make no sense of the translation and do not see how that would motivate the Italians to stay with the Germans and fight the allies. Can anyone look at this and make more sense of it for me?
Herb
Dear Editor: I just heard a book review on public radio that may interest some Gramsters. The book is called "Stalag Wisconsin: Inside WWII POW Camps" by Betty Crowley of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The author is a retired school teacher whose students always expressed disbelief when she told them about Axis POWs being interned in the U.S. during WWII. So she wrote a book. There were 38 camps in Wisconsin holding 20,000 POWs. She interviewed 300 for the book. It sounds like a well researched book and I wonder if there is anything in about camp scrip or chits.
Warner
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Stamp, Coin and Paper Money Expo
175 tables
Westchester County Center, Bronx River Pkwy, White Plains, NY
ANA Seminar: 29 June to 5 July
W.W. II numismatics seminar at ANA Summer Seminar, July 2002
Session I
Session II (Sunday, 7 July through Thursday, 11 July, 2002)
general events will return
2003
CPMX 9: 20-23 February,
MPC Fest IV: 28 Feb - 2 March, Port Clinton, OH
Fest Registrants: Leo May$$, Tom Warburton, Guido Crapanzano, Harold Kroll, Larry Smulczenski, Kevin Maloy, Doug Bell, Marcus Turner, Philip M. Goldstein, Jack Lippincot, Nick Shrier, David Seelye, Joe Boling, Gary Hicks, Fred Schwan, Dick Freyser.
Running total: 17
$$ = Paid
ANA: 19-22 March, Charlotte, NC
2004
CPMX 10: 26-29 Feb,
MPC Fest V: 5-7 March, Port Clinton, OH
2005
CPMX 11: 24-27 Feb,
MPC Fest VI: 4-6 March, Port Clinton, OH
SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS
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
or contact Marcus at:
maturner@indy.rr.com
Donors to 2002 Scholarship Fund:
Steve Feller Ed Hoffman Joel Shafer Gary Hicks
Harold Kroll Howard A. Daniel, III Gail Baker Tim Kyzivat
R. A. Medina Keith and Sue Bauman Mark Watson Dave Amey
Guido Crapanzano Mr. 691 Marv Mericle John & Nancy Wilson
David Seelye Ort Cowles Warner Talso Bill Yanchick
Leo May Neil Shafer
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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.
Name phone/fax email
Allens (614) 882-3937 (614) 882-0662 info@allens.com
American Coins & Collectibles (800) 865-3562
American Numismatic Ass'n (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
Philip M. Goldstein (845) 254-MPC1 [6721] iwantmympc@aol.com or MPC Website
Great Lakes Bank Note Company (419) 732-6683
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 (419) 732-6683 FredSchwan@yahoo.com
David Seelye (585) 594-1987 (585) 594-2311 coinman@rochester.rr.com
Richie Self (318) 868-9077
R. M. Smythe (800) 622-1880 (212) 908-4047 http://www.smytheonline.com/
Mel Steinberg & Son (415) 453-9750 (415) 457-4432 melsteinberg@mindspring.com
Military Trader (800) 334-7165
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)
M10a Forbes 1 lira F $1 VF $3 XF $6 AU $9
M10b BEP 1 lira VF $3 XF $6 AU $9 CU $15
M11a Forbes 2 lire VF $2 XF $4 AU $6 CU $10
M11b BEP 2 lire VF $2 AU $6 CU $10
M12a Forbes 5 lire VF $2 XF $4 AU $6
M12b BEP 5 lire AU $8
M13a Forbes 10 lire F $10 VF $25 XF $50 AU $75
M13b BEP 10 lire F $10 VF $15
M14a Forbes 50 lire G $3 VG $6 F $10
M14b BEP 50 lire VG $6 F $9 VF $12
M15a Forbes 100 lire VG+ $75
M15b BEP 100 lire VG+ $75 F $100 (Short Snorter)
Allied Military Cuurency - Italy - Series 1943A
All Forbes printing with (F) secret mark
M18a A-A 5 Lire XF $10 CU $20
M18b A-B 5 Lire VF $5 XF $10 AU $15 CU $20
M19a A-A 10 Lire VG $4 F $6 VF $8 XF $10 AU $15 CU $20
M19b A-B 10 Lire VG $4 F $6 VF $10 CU $25
M20a A-A 50 Lire VG $3 F $6 VF $10 XF $20 AU $50
M20b A-B 50 Lire F $6 VF $10 XF $20
M21a A-A 100 Lire VG $10 F $15 VF $20 XF $30
M21b A-B 100 Lire F $10 VF $15
M21c A-C 100 Lire VG $10 F $20 VF (stain) $30
M22 A-A 500 Lire VG/F $65 F $90
M 23 A-A 1000 Lire VG/F $50 F $75 VF $100
Please confirm at: hoffman@rabbitbrush.com
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
Researcher's 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 Street
Port Clinton, OH 43452
or PayPay using email: fredschwan@yahoo.com
Very interesting Replacement. Series 692 $10 (!!), serial number E00032007 pos 5. This SN demonstrates the system very well. Four positions completed = 32,000 notes. This then is from sheet number 7. Note is overall very fine, but looks extremely fine from the face. The centerfold that is strong on the back is not even noticable on the face. Two staple holes that saved the note from destruction 30 years ago at left. Yours for $3300, terms possible. Confirm at: fredschwan@yahoo.com
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.
Collector looking for Series 481 .25 cent from Position 1 ONLY - would prefer note to be in VF or better.
MPC CATALOG CORRECTIONS & ENHANCEMENTS
Page 18, Bottom - Users of Military Payment Certificates
Check marks were omitted from production copies of books. Please check off the following:
Australia: 641, 661, 681, 692
Canada: 461 through and including 591
Korea: 641, 661, 681, 692
New Zealand: 641, 661, 681, 692
Thailand: 641, 661, 681, 692
United States: All
Page 214, #855/r2 - Series 541 $1 Replacements,
Ending serial number is incorrect
Correct number is: F01112000
(date listed: 02 APRIL 2002)
Page 207, #833/4 - Series 481 .25 4th Printing (table listing serial number breakdowns) line 5
Start Number is incorrect. It appears as:
(start) D14784001D (end) D14784000D
Correct start number should be: D09408001D
PK6 (date listed: 03 APRIL 2002)
Page 220, #884/2r - Series 641 .50 Replacements
On page 284, it is broken down into 2 printings. That's correct, BUT, on page 220 he lists only (1) printing reported. It should "list" both first and second printings.
Guy Araby (date listed 04 APRIL 2002)
Staff:
Publisher and Editor: Fred Schwan - MPCGram@yahoo.com
Assistant Editor: Philip M. 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
Friday Columnist: Philip M. Goldstein IWANTMYMPC@aol.com
Critic: Harold Kroll - HARBONS@aol.com
Scholarship Coordinator: Marcus Turner - maturner@indy.rr.com
Fact Checker: Warner Talso -
Calendar Coordinator: John & Nancy Wilson -
Index Manager: Ed Beaman - ebeaman@sprynet.com
Webmaster & Technical Advisors: Doug Bell "Wiz" - doug@papermoneyworld.net
Russ Walsh - russ.walsh@gte.net
The Boss: Judy Schwan -