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MPC Gram
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Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics
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Series 003 - Number 605     Thursday - 25 APRIL 2002
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__309 days to Fest IV__

FEATURED ARTICLE

The Last Thurski of April
by Larry Smulczenski

      After Fred and I left Ottawa, we decided to make a quick run down to the Strasburg Stock, Bond and Currency Show.  We arrived there Friday night and had a good time chatting with some of the folks we say in the hotel lobby.  The Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center is really a very impressive high-class hotel for this size town.  But it seemed to be doing a lot of business including a number of conventions and meetings while we were there.  We found Leo May after he came back from having dinner in one of those great all you can eat Pennsylvania Dutch places and we spent the next couple hours talking notes with him. 

      We got to the show on Saturday morning and I was surprised that the show was not in the hotel, but outside and down the hill in a huge adjacent metal building.  I didn't think that the lighting was too good, but there was plenty of room.  Definitely not the close quarters of the Historic Old Strasburg Inn that we came to appreciate.  Anyway, I found Daryl Spelbring who had a new group of POW chits that he recently acquired.  He let me go through and copy all the serial numbers as data for the POW chit book that I am working on.  I was able to purchase about a half a dozen chits that I didn't have.  One of them was a One Dollar chit from Jerome, Arkansas.  That's the first dollar chit I have found for my collection.  I guess there weren't a lot of German POW's running around with dollar chits in their pockets, however you will remember that last week I wrote that some of the Canadian camps issued Five Dollar chits.  Gary Maltese had reported to me that he had a dollar chit, so I knew that that they were out there, but it is great to find one for your self.  Daryl had some great MPC replacement notes for sale also.  Saw a few of them that had only four numbers in the serial number, the rest being zero's.  One even was a three digit serial number, with the rest zero's.  Those of you that like that kind of stuff need to give Daryl a call, he may still have them. The Saturday crowd was sparse and the dealers spent a lot of the day going through one another's stock.  My May Banknote Reporter just came in and I see that this show is going back to the cozy confines of the Historic Old Strasburg Inn.
   
      As we drove toward Port Clinton on Sunday, we decided to go a little out of the way and stop by Greenville. Pennsylvania and see if we could learn anything about Camp Reynolds where there was a POW camp in 1944-45.  Russ Daisley of Greenville and I had been emailing one another about the camp for the last couple of months.  Russ had bought something from me off eBay and when I saw his address I thought he lived in a town of Greensburg, which is close to where I grew up.  He said it wasn't and then it struck me that Greenville was the home of Camp Reynolds.  We had only uncovered the chits from this location a couple of years ago.  Russ then told me that he had actually lived in quarters on Camp Reynolds.  

      We arrived in Greenville around noon and stopped in a quaint little old fashioned diner and had lunch.  Great place, super meal and for little money.  One of those places that you can only find off the beaten path.  I called Russ to see if we could meet with him, but unfortunately he was out of town.  His brother, Tom however agreed to show us around.  Tom also was interested in military history and took us around town and showed us the remains of the old Camp.  We first went to the local VFW where there was a map of the Camp so we got our bearings.  We then went to the remains of the base and saw a few buildings that were still standing.  We are pretty sure we saw the location of the POW Camp itself as the map showed it up from the railroad tracks. Those tracks still remain and some of the spurs lead up to warehouses that sure look like they can be traced back to W.W.II.   A company by the name of Damascus Tube Division occupies these warehouses as well as some other buildings on the former Camp Reynolds.  The old base theater is also occupied by Damascus Tube.  Tom was the perfect host and kept pointing out areas that he used to play in during his youth while they lived on the Camp after the War.  The local newspaper printed a 50th anniversary issue remembering Camp Reynolds on June 22, 1992.  Russ got me a copy of this paper and sent it to me.  It has some great information in it.  

      This was a great ending to my three plus week visit up-North as the following morning, I was on an airplane winging my way back down-South.                                  

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EDITORIAL

Good evening Mister and Misses MPC, and all the ships at sea: Ahh, to be retired and travel the world (or at least the U.S.!) in search of notes and other goodies to add to our collections. Maybe I'll be able to do same one day. As having read Ski's article above, I am glad to see the show return to Strasburg Inn. Having been there, and having other interests in the town of Strasburg, it is more convenient for myself and closer to the steam locomotives I also appreciate. As you can see below, the High-Brite paper debate continues... I wonder what the cause is: Manufacturer? Environmental? UV Wavelength? When you guys figure it out, let us know.
Until tomorrow Gramsters...

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MAIL CALL

Guy,
I looked at 14 of the $10's EF and better, including a position 33 UNC, and they all looked the same under black light.  How about bringing the note to Memphis so I/we attendees can see what you are seeing?
David

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2002

ANA Seminar:   29 June to 5 July
W.W. II numismatics seminar at ANA Summer Seminar, July 2002
Session I (Saturday, 29 June through Friday, 5 July, 2002)
Session II (Sunday, 7 July through Thursday, 11 July, 2002)
general events will return

WESPMEX:   27 - 28 July
Westchester Paper Money Exposition - 175 Dealers
Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY

WESPMEX:   11 - 13 October
Westchester Paper Money Exposition - 100 Dealers
Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY

WESPMEX:   29 November - 1 December
Westchester Paper Money Exposition - 160 Dealers
Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY

2003

CPMX 9:   20 - 23 February,
MPC Fest IV:   28 Feb - 2 March, Port Clinton, OH
Fest Registrants: Doug Bell,  Joe Boling,  Guido Crapanzano,  Dick Freyser,  Philip M. Goldstein,  Gary Hicks,  Harold Kroll,  
Jack Lippincot,  Kevin Maloy,  Leo May$$,  Fred Schwan,  David Seelye,  Nick Shrier,  Larry Smulczenski,  Warner Talso,
Marcus Turner,  Tom Warburton

$$ = Paid          Running total: 17

ANA:   19-22 March, Charlotte, NC

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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
maturner@indy.rr.com

Donors to 2002 Scholarship Fund:

Dave Amey                         Gail Baker                               Keith and Sue Bauman        Ort Cowles
Guido Crapanzano              Howard A. Daniel, III               Steve Feller                        Gary Hicks
Ed Hoffman                        Harold Kroll                             Tim Kyzivat                        R. A. Medina
Leo May                             Marv Mericle                           Mr. 691                             David Seelye
Joel Shafer                          Neil Shafer                               Warner Talso                     Mark Watson
John & Nancy Wilson         Bill Yanchick                                                

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HOT CONTACT LIST - DEALER & RESOURCE 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, or furnish information dedicated to this field. They have supported the new Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates with their advertising.

They deserve your support and patronage!

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
Guy Araby                                             (562) 945-7891      (310) 508-0018                guyaraby@earthlink.net
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
Mike Cummings                                    (863) 603-9899       (863) 603-9880               mpccoin@hotmail.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
Larry Gibbs                                            (308) 635-7900                                               oth@prairieweb.com
Philip M. Goldstein                               (845) 254-MPC1 [6721]                                iwantmympc@aol.com  or  MPC Website
Great Lakes Bank Note Company      (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
Peter Huntoon                                       Smithsonian Research                                peter.huntoon@att.net
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 or Wide World of Banknotes
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               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

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POST / BASE EXCHANGE   (PX/BX/NEX)

Dump your dupes! Your classified advertisement for items for sale, purchase or trade 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. In all cases confirm your order via email first.

FOR SALE
For Sale ads will run for a period of up to 5 days, or until sold.

See S/B WWII Remembered, page 301, #659 a, Tudor printed 20 Zwanzig deutsche marks, condition VF, blue front looks great, slightly rounded corners, back is primarily red with light greenish brown.
SN C11209704A, PN 2,
Asking $400 cash or trade for other MPC notes
Contact: forwebfootbob@earthlink.net
 

Have the following CU MPC NOTES:
Series 651 $10.00...........$200.00
Series 651 $5.00............$185.00

THE PAIR AT $380.00 POSTPAID.

Continental Coin Investors, Inc.
3123 N. HWY 98
Lakeland, FL 33805-2103
Email: mpccoin@hotmail.com
Website: www.internet4coins.com


Fourth edition Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates by Fred Schwan. 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 PayPal using email: fredschwan@yahoo.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 for sale in the above section as a reply. This is a trial, if you like it, send your list.

WANTED Souvenir Card 'MPC Fest I' from the first MPC Fest. (4/18)

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. (4/18)

WANTED TO BUY: Bulk quantities of Afghanistan propaganda leaflets or related. (4/18)

Looking for a Series 641 MPC, any denomination with the serial number J02283151J. (4/18)

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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
(date listed: 02 APRIL 2002)

Page 201, Bottom Right - Very last sentence on this page
Two serial numbers listed for the second printing of
Series 472 .50 cent notes.  The first serial number listed is obviously in error as a nine digit number: C040351392C
Correct Serial Number is: C04035139C
D Freyser (date listed 10 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 214, #855/r2 - Series 541 $1 Replacements,
Ending serial number is incorrect
Correct number is F1112000
(date listed: 02 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)

Page 287, Series 661 Series Summary, 25 cent note: the "list" shows "#CU as 10(7) . It should read, 8(7). As only 8 are known in CU. Just recount P.289.  
Guy Araby (date listed 08 APRIL 2002)

Page 398, Series #541 $10 on  "UNC." price is $2500, on P.214 the UNC. price is $3500. Also the rest of the prices don't match all the way to "VG" on this issue. They should be the same price.
Guy Araby (date listed 08 APRIL 2002)

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Staff: