Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2001 09:40:06 -0800 (PST) From: MPCgram Subject: MPCGram 514 ============================================== MPC Gram ============================================== Covering the Entire World of Military Numismatics ---------------------------------------------- Series 003-Number 514 Sunday, December 16, 2001 New MPC Chat for New Year By Doug "Wiz" Bell, webmaster Papermoneyworld is proud to announce the implementation of a new internet chat system to be used for MPC chat. The new system does not require that any files be downloaded and is very easy to use. It also supports Windows and Macintosh operating systems. The chat system is fully installed and operational. The former MPC chat was held every night at 10pm eastern. Initially PMW is going to sponsor Tuesday MPC chat at 10pm eastern. Of course it is possible to change this day and time and to expand to more than one evening. It is also possible to have chat on other subjects on other days. Finally, PMW plans to schedule interviews and special events on MPC chat. These will be announced at PMW and in the Gram. IOWA POW CAMPS ARE FEATURED IN NEW EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE by Steve Feller Project TRACES is a new initiative to bring to school children and adults the history of two WWII POW camps: Camp Algona and Camp Clarinda in Iowa. Algona is certainly well-known to collectors of POW scrip. The camp, with the main center in North-Central Iowa, is known for three printings of scrip in denominations from 1 cent up to 50 cents. Also known from the camp is a series of propaganda leaflets produced by the inmates and confiscated by the camp commandant, Lt. Col. Arthur Lobdell. The camp actually consisted of thirty-two subcamps scattered over four states. For more information see the IBNS Journal Volume 32 #1 (1993). Camp Clarinda, centered in Southwest Iowa, is not currently known to have issued a distinctive camp scrip or other numismatically related object. But who knows for sure! Michael Luick-Thrams, an Iowa-bred historian who lives in Berlin, is leading the effort to establish Project Traces, an educational program which will bring history alive across the state of Iowa. He has collected over forty interviews with former POWs still living in Germany and he has accumulated many artifacts from the camp including original art and photographs from the camp. The Muscatine (Iowa) Art Museum plans to host an exhibition on Camp Algona in the new year. This past Sunday I attended a lecture by Michael at the Linn Country History Center in Cedar Rapids and learned much about the camp and life there. At the end of the one and a quarter hour lecture I was delighted to meet H.J. “Skip” Boehm of Sigourney, Iowa. Skip, a WWII veteran, had an amazing story to tell. Here are his own words as reported in the Sigourney News-Review, “I served with the 319th Bomb Group as a bombardier-navigator on B-26’s and B-25’s in the Mediterranean Theater Operations (Africa, Italy, Corsica, Southern France and Germany). Then in December 1944, we as a group were shipped to the U.S.A. via boat to Columbia, South Carolina to re-group as a medium group to the Pacific Theater with A-26’s. During the change in theater of operations was when I had leave time in Spirit Lake, Iowa.” “My father , Mr. Jack Boehm, and I went to Wesley, Iowa to visit uncle Claus Tjarks and his wife. That was the evening meal that my medical problems started that led to my hospitalization at the Algona POW Camp.” “This is how I remember the evening of 23rd February 1945. A “meat wagon” picked me up at Uncle Claus Tjarks’ home with my father at my side on the trip to Algona prison camp.” “The nurse met us at the hospital. An operation was scheduled for a ruptured appendix. The assisting doctor was a POW, Major Streale. I found out later the major was a well known surgeon in the German Army. Then a second operation for an ulcerated duodenum area was done by Major Streale with two German ward boys (captives) assisting. (WHAT A SHOW.)” “I came around about 15 to 18 hours later. May father told me he spent three days at my bed side with visits from Major Streale and Lt. Sterling.” “After about three to four weeks in the prison camp hospital, I was transported to U.S. Army Air Corp. Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and then later on to Scott Air Field in East St. Louis, Ill.” “I spent some time walking and being wheeled around the station hospital in Algona by the German prisoner of war men. Fond memories because lots of my heritage lies in and around Kossuth County, like Titonka, Buffalo Center, German Valley, Britt, Wesley, Burt, Bancroft, etc.” ============================================== Editorial ---------------------------------------------- Thanks to papermoneywold.net and Doug Bell, we will have MPC chat again for 2002 (first radar year of the millennium). This is an exciting development. I can hardly wait for Tuesday! The chat we had before was wonderful, but the technology requiring software to be downloaded got in the way. Also the nightly chat was a bit much. With this new plan we can see where it evolves. Hope to see you there. ============================================== Mail Call ---------------------------------------------- Editor: It has been some time since I looked at the MPC book, but I recall somewhere in there that it mentions that currency control cards similar to credit cards were currently being used in Korea. I was stationed in Korea in 1996. The cards that were issued were ration control cards. There are no currency restrictions in Korea and no currency control cards. In fact, US$ and won were dispensed from the ATM machines on the installations. I know this is a minor point in the book and probably not high on the priority list considering the deadline that you have, but I wanted to set it straight. Jim Downey Dear Jim, It has been a long time since you looked at the (MPC) book? What? Can this mean that you have memorized the whole thing? That is an amazing accomplishment. I cannot imagine any other reason that you do not use the book daily. Thanks for the little correction. You did remember correctly (after all, you memorized the whole thing). The third edition stated that currency control cards are currently being used in Korea. Furthermore, the fourth edition manuscript said the same thing. We have corrected that. Thank you very much. Editor Dear Esteemed Editor, I am a BIG fan of glossaries and appreciate very much placing one in your upcoming MPC reference. In regards to Ken Berger's comments about face and back and front and whatever. Face and back have been the standard for all paper financial instruments for as long as I can remember. I have always wondered why metal pieces are different with obverse and reverse. Does anyone know why we have face/obverse and back/reverse? Maybe we should start a campaign to standardize it for both paper and metal. Does anyone else believe this is worthwhile? Howard A. Daniel III Dear Steamed Writer, Please see below for at least part of the answer to your question. At the Gram we are fast! Editor Editor, When I read in the Gram that you were going to include a glossary in the new book I thought what a GREAT idea! More books on the subject of numismatics should include a glossary. Regarding the definition for 'specimen', I suggest you define it by stating its intended purpose and then giving some examples of how they are differentiated from the business issues. Since this is a book about mpc, I think the definition should be specific to mpc specimens. Enough said on that topic. Another suggestion is to just get it done without worrying about pleasing everyone...it is obvious from the few gram letters that I read that that will never happen. By the way, a coin's sides are referred to as the obverse and reverse because they are struck with obverse and reverse dies; a banknote's sides are referred to as the face and back because they are printed using a face plate and a back plate. Trivial? Maybe. But one of the purposes of reading books is to gain knowledge and hopefully expand our vocabulary. Now if I could just get that thingamajig out of this doohickey... William E. Yanchick Dear Bill, Thanks for the many thoughts. I have long ago given up on pleasing everyone. Now, I just aim to please someone! On the terminology question. We have worked hard on that for a few decades. There is one additional comment on the face/back discussion. In England the manufacturers call the plate with the portrait the front plate. Begrudgingly I therefore accept front as well as face as being “correct.” I sometimes like to make the distinction between face and front by manufacturer. As MPC has a face and back, whereas BAFSVs have a front and back. Editor ================================================ 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, Nick Schrier, Richard Freyser, Tom Koch, Mark Watson, Bill Yanchick, Doug Bell, Sam Feeback, Bruce Potter, Elmer Smith, Marv Mericle, Wes and Rod Hardy, Marcus Turner, Gene Ryanwood, Al Glaser, Fred Schwan {running total 25}] [missing “old” Festers: Dan Swartz, Leo May, Al Glaser, Kevin Maloy (did I forget someone?), come on guys, give us your reservation] Three airports are reasonably available for the Fest. In order of proximity they are: Toledo Cleveland Detroit (Metro) All three are reasonable. If you can arrive early enough AND coordinate it well ahead, every attempt will be made to pick you up at the airport to save on rental cars. Festers are encouraged to coordinate among themselves for rides. We will also run notices in the Gram and, finally, we will try to coordinate for Festers to run pickups from Fest central. 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 soon --------------------------------------------------- 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. SPECIAL NOTICE We are in a mad final push to complete the fourth edition of our MPC bible! We can and will have it to the printer before Christmas! The resources section is one of the major areas where work is needed. Place your advertisement now! If you ordered an ad in the past and we have not spoken about it recently, please confirm. This is your chance to get your message to thousands of collectors and dealers world wide. With an advertisement in The Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates you will receive many extras (these may change over time): listing in the Hot Contact List every month in the Bank Note Reporter, in the book itself, at papermoneyworld and probably right here in the Gram. Here is what is available: Inside back cover, one spot $1900* Last page $1700 Full page in resources section $750 Three quarter page $550 Half page $500 Quarter page $400 *full color available for this position. Monthly payment option available. Make your reservation now! FOR SALE Ireland Currach 1 pence, 6 pence, 1 shilling, 2 shilling Campbell 5550-5553 EF set of 4 $300.00 postpaid insured for domestic delivery. Austria IRO 1 Unit Campbell 7360 VF $250.00 postpaid insured for domestic 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 –ski@papermoneyworld.net critic: Harold Kroll - MPCKid@papermoneyworld.net fact checker: Warner Talso 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!? Check out Yahoo! Shopping and Yahoo! Auctions for all of your unique holiday gifts! Buy at http://shopping.yahoo.com or bid at http://auctions.yahoo.com