============================================== This is the other story that
I promised last week. It has to do with an auction lot I saw on
eBay. Offered was a one cent chit from a prisoner of war camp at White
Sulphur Springs in West Virginia. The chit itself was normal size for a
POW chit but was well circulated and had blue print on what looked like a tan
card stock. There was a large red two overprint on the left hand side with
a red serial number of 77510B. This really interested me as neither
Campbell or Donn listed a POW chit from White Sulphur Springs, West
Virginia. When I saw it, the price was already in the mid-fifty dollar
range and I knew winning this was not going to be easy. I threw in a bid
of slightly over sixty dollars to test the water, but the screen came back with
an immediate "You have been outbid by another bidder" reply. This told me
that the current high bidder was a serious player and I had competition for this
lot. The auction had days to run so I decided to just sit back and watch
it. I knew that good friend Dave Seelye would be sitting at his office
desk with his computer tuned to eBay and there was no chance for me to buy this
item for a decent price. We were talking about serious money and there were
going to be at least three players.
I have no dispute with Guido or the IBNS. If it's not one thing, it's another. I didn't get home early
enough Thursday to get a Gram out in time (came in at 2 am from working on my
trucks wiring) and today was both my birthday, and racing and if thats not
enough, I'm sick with some bug or another. So.... I found myself short on time
no matter what I was doing. ANA Seminar: 29 June to 5 July 2003 CPMX 9: 20 - 23 February, $$ = Paid =================================================== =================================================== FOR SALE SECTION: ===================================================
MPC GRAM
==============================================
Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics
Series 003 - Number
624 Saturday - 18 MAY 2002
___________________
__286 days to Fest IV__
FEATURED
ARTICLE
by Larry Smulczenski
I decided to see what I could find out
about White Sulphur Springs and see if I could confirm a POW camp being
there. Using White Sulphur Springs as a keyword was no help.
All I got was that it was a popular resort area in the southeastern part of West
Virginia. There were however references to a hotel there by the name of
The Greenbrier. Somewhere in the deep dark recesses of my mind that name
was familiar and I vaguely remembered a World War II novel by W. E. B.
Griffin that had a Navy pilot who escaped the Japanese in the Philippines,
joined a guerrilla group and finally was brought back to the states. I
remember him being sent to the Greenbrier for psychiatric evaluation and R&R
after his return. Keying on Greenbrier, I found that this was a very
elegant hotel that the State Department took over soon after Pearl Harbor for
the purpose of housing Axis diplomats and their families until they could be
exchanged for American diplomats in Axis nations. Admiral Nomura, the
former Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. and Special Envoy Saburo Kurusu resided
there. These are the two that had been negotiating with Secretary of State
Cordell Hull right up to the Japanese attack and on December 7th, 1941 handed
Hull Japan's declaration of war. When these diplomats were repatriated through
neutral nations, the hotel was taken over by the Army for use as a General
Hospital. It was renamed Ashford General Hospital in September 1942 and
treated war wounded. ----Bingo---- Now this was significant because Donn
does list Ashford General Hospital as the only main POW camp in West
Virginia. He states that the camp opened around June of 1943 and closed in
May of 1946 holding 679 prisoners.
The final positive proof came when I
found an article on a website written by a German POW named Gerhard Schneider
who was a paratrooper captured in North Africa. He stated that after being
transported to the U.S. in a troop ship, they "...were moved to Camp
Ashford General Hospital in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
The camp was about 2 km from the station on the outskirts of town. The camp was
situated in a wonderful scenic, mountainous landscape. It was surrounded
by a double fence, 3 meters apart. Four watchtowers, manned with machine
guns and two searchlights, guarded the camp. The huts were built, gable
ends facing, on both sides of the street. Each one accommodated 50
men. A separate "kitchen hut" with dining hall served each kompanie(sic)
of 250 men, another hut provided washing and toilet facilities. A canteen
was available for everybody. Another hut was used for entertainment.
Several other similar huts were reserved for the sick, a workshop and the Camp
Red Cross representatives."
"...the U.S. Army acquired the
famous 'Greenbrier Hotel' and used it as a military hospital. For the next
2 1/2 years, this establishment became my place of work. I was the only
POW among five Americans working in the basement catering department of this
huge building complex. ...the chef trusted me and my acquired skills,...
There were over 3000 patients in the hospital as well as personnel. It was like
a small town. Supplies of every kind had to enter the hospital and be
delivered to the kitchen. Other POW were also working at the
hospital. Among other places, in the butchery and bakery, in lifts,
lavatory and the laundry."
I was convinced and more determined
than ever to add this piece to my collection. As the end of auction
approached, I decided on a strategy and arrived at price that I was willing to
pay. The bid had not moved from the value that it was at when I was outbid
a couple of days ago, but I felt sure there would be some last minute
snipping. The phone rang about 15 minutes before the end of the
auction. It was Fred. I filled him in on the story and asked what he
would bid. He gave me a number and I informed him that I was still about
10 percent above that. Not much of a margin, but it was getting close to
end of auction. I entered my bid, crossed my fingers and watched the
screen. As the red type said "Auction has ended", I breathed a sigh of
relief as I saw my name was still there, one bidding increment ahead of Dave
Seelye. As I knew, it didn't come cheap, but to me it was a great prize--a
new discovery piece.
Three days later, I get an envelope in
the mail. David Seelye had been advertising in his pricelist that I was
researching POW chits for a book and was interested in any and all that are in
collections. (By the way, I'm still interested in any POW chits that Gram
readers have in their collections. Email or write to me.) The letter was
from one of David's customers, had two POW chits in his collection. Only
two, but he scanned them for me. One was from Houlton, Maine and you can
surely guess where the second one was from. Yes, your right, White Sulphur
Springs, West Virginia. Over 30 years have passed since Donn wrote his
book and in that time these chits were not reported, yet in one week, two of
them turn up. By the way, my informants chit is on a light pink
cardstock. There is a good chance that mine is a color changeling
(bleached). I'm not positive since they are different serial numbers, but
that big "2" overprint is there. But this was an amazing coincidence to
me.
As a post
script, to the above story, let me tell you that the Greenbrier was returned to
its former owners in June of 1946. In the late 1950's a new wing was added
to the hotel, but it was considerable more than what it appeared. Beneath
the new wing was constructed a large, and very secret bomb shelter which was
enough to hold the entire Congress of the United States. The Federal
Government had a plan at that time that in the event of an atomic attack, the
Greenbrier Hotel would become the temporary home of Congress. On 9/11,
there were some rumblings that should there be other attacks that Congress would
move to some remote location. Could it be?
If you want to read the rest of
prisoner Gerhard Schneider story you will find it at http://www.eagle19.freeserve.co.uk/schneider.htm
==============================================
SHOW REPORT
Initial Auction
Reportby Fred SchwanI am on the road heading home from Chicago because there did
not seem to be too much more damage that I could do and even a transfusion would
not rescue my check book.I left the auction room about 30 minutes ago. I
found this truck stop with internet access and figured that I should
place an initial report on the CAA Chicago auction.The prices below are from
memory only and do not inlcude the buyer's fee (15%!!! ouch). At 20
cents per minute, this report will not be too detailed, but I hope that
it will give you a feel for the event.Maybe it is just me, but MPC
seemed to be maintaining a strong place on the paper money stage. I arrived too
late on Thursday night to do any viewing so I had to cram it in on Friday
morning before the unusual 1 pm kick off of the MPC auction. Harold
Kroll and I shared a room and lots of lies on Thursday night, but we were
still able to make the 9am start of viewing.He had a big advantage over me
having viewed lots on Thursday. I was anxious to see many notes especially
some of the replacements that were not illustrated in the catalog, and I was
rewarded with some unexpected goodies in the unillustrated lots. Hopefully, I
will remember to discuss some of the later.Of course the big news in the auction
was the group of 111 Series 651 50 cent notes, but it was not even necessary to
look at them. The other big news was the two specimen sets--Series 641 and 661.
Not only was it necessary and desirable to look at these, but it was also
necessary because they were described in the catalog as having glue damage. The
catalog was correct but a bit understated.The glue on both sets was much worse
than I had anticipated. In the case of the 661 50c it had bled through so bad
that I belive the colors on the face are permanantly hurt. I had planned to buy
both sets or at least be a strong contender. The condition made it more
difficult for me to be excited. You can be sure that Haorld and I discussed
these sets at length. That had actually started the night before, but we could
be serious after seeing the notes. I did not know what to do and to be
honest, I had not decided what to do about them even when the auctioneer opened
the 641 specimen set for bids.As I said, there were several interesting,
if subtle items. An unillustrated (and nice unc) Series 471 5c had serial number
275. I immediately had visions of paying the serial number in dollars for this
piece. As it turned out, Harold bought it for a little less than that in a
confused situation when neither of us knew who the high bidder was!The 651
all seem to have sold and averaged something over $100 per note. The first
single sold for something like $325. The groups then sold for about the $100.The
big news item was a gem 692 $10 that sold in heated bidding for, are you ready,
$2400 (remember, before the juice).None of the replacement went crazy, but all
of them seemed to have found good homes. I bought several for my multiple
printing replacement collection and am most pleased with them. In tretrospect, I
am most disapointed at some that I let go.The 641 specimen set opened at
something like $4000 and the auctioneer started to count it down at that level.
He and most everyone in the room laughed as I had to fumble to find my number.
From there it went up to $7750 where I prevailed.I do not remeber where the 661
set opened, but it was only in the $6000 range, but went all the way to $12,000
before it was sold to a book bidder. I had (have) mixed emotions about this
one!I have lots more to tell. I hope that I can remember the things when I
get home to write another report!
==============================================
MAIL
CALL
Dear
Gramsters,
It did not take long after the delivery of last night’s gram
until the email started flowing in. Let me set the record straight. I am
NOT the guy mentioned in Guido’s letter in Gram 622.
That guy is
Michael Turner. I am Marcus Turner.
He is from Germany. I am from the USA.
I am not, or have ever
been (or will probably never be) the European Secretary of the IBNS. STOP THE
MADNESS!!!!! Unfortunately I am quite used to explaining this situation. I
sure hope it ends soon…
Marcus Turner
==============================================
EDITORIAL
To Larry: sorry your article is late, but better
late than never.
==============================================
CALENDAR OF
EVENTS
2002
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
MPC Fest
IV: 28 Feb - 2 March, Port Clinton, OH
Jack Lippincot, Kevin Maloy,
Leo May$$, Fred Schwan, David Seelye, Nick
Shrier, Larry Smulczenski, Warner Talso,
Marcus Turner, Tom
Warburton
SCHOLARSHIP
DONATIONS
FILING IS CLOSED FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
Military
Numismatists
c/o Marcus Turner
8103 East US Highway 36
Suite 163
Avon, IN 46123
maturner@indy.rr.com
===================================================
HOT CONTACT LIST - DEALER &
RESOURCE LIST
They deserve
your support and patronage!
Name
phone
fax /
cell
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 (305) 720-0659
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
===================================================
POST / BASE
EXCHANGE (PX/BX/NEX)
Series 471 5
Cents
VG
5.00
Series 471 5
Cents
VF
15.00
Series 471 5
Cents
VF+
20.00
Series 471 5
Cents
EF - small
stain
20.00
Series 471 5
Cents
UNC - slight tear
52.50
Series 471 5
Cents
UNC
90.00
Series 471 5
Cents
Gem
UNC
105.00
Series 471 10
Cents
VG
3.50
Series 471 10
Cents
F
6.00
Series 471 10
Cents
F/VF
9.00
Series 471 10
Cents
VF
12.00
Series 471 10
Cents
EF
30.00
Series 471 10
Cents
UNC
90.00
Series 471 10
Cents
Gem
UNC
110.00
Series 471 25
Cents
VF
stain
15.00
Series 471 25
Cents
VF
27.50
Series 471 25
Cents
Gem
UNC
325.00
Series 471 50
Cents
F/VF
25.00
Series 471 50
Cents
AU
165.00
Series 471 50
Cents
Gem
UNC
400.00
Series 471 50
Cents
CH. UNC off cut
500.00
contact David Seelye at coinman@rochester.rr.com
(11May)
ALLIED MILITARY CURRENCY - GERMANY, Series
1944
Serial number
prefix: 0, 00,1 or dash (-)
P-191a 1/2
Mark 9 digit with F, prefix 0 or
00
VF $3 XF $6
AU$8
P-192a 1 Mark, 9 digit with F,
prefix 0, 00, or
1
F $1 VF
$2 XF$4 AU
$5 CU $6
P-192d 1
Mark, 8 digit with dash, no F, prefix
dash F
$1 VF $3
XF $5
P-193a 5 Mark, 9 digit with
F, prefix 0 or
00
F $1 VF
$2 XF $4 AU
$5 CU $6
P-193b 5
Mark, 9 digit no F, prefix
1
CU $10
P-193d 5 Mark, 8 digit with
dash, no F, prefix dash F
$3 VF $5
P-194a
10 Mark, 9 digit with F, prefix
0
VG $4 F
$7 VF $15
XF$22 AU $30 CU
$40
P-194a 10 Mark, 9 digit with F,
prefix
00
VG $6 F $10 VF
$20 XF $30 AU
$40
P-194b 10 Mark, 9 digit no F, prefix
1
CU $20
P-194d 10 Mark, 8 digit with dash,
prefix
dash
F $7 VF
$10
P-195a 20 Mark, 9 digit with F,
prefix
0
VG $3 F
$6 VF $9
XF $20
P-195b 20 Mark, 9 digit no F,
prefix
1
F $5 VF $12 XF
$20
P-195d 20 Mark, 8 digit no F, prefix
dash
F $3 VF
$6 XF $10 AU $15 CU
$20
P-196a 50 Mark, 9 digit with F,
prefix
0
F $3
P-196d 50 Mark, 8 digit no F, prefix
dash
VG $2 F
$3 VF $5
XF $10 AU $20
P-197a 100 Mark, 9
digit with F, prefix
0
F $10 VF $15 XF
$20
P-197b 100 Mark, 9 digit no F, prefix
1
VF $10 XF $17
P-197d 100 Mark, 8
digit no F, prefix
dash
VG $ F
$6 VF $8
XF $12
P-198b 1000 Mark, 8 digit no F, prefix
dash
AU $75 CU $95
Contact Ed Hoffman at: hoffman@rabbitbrush.com
(12May)
Comprehensive
Catalog of Military Payment Certificates - 4th Edition
by Fred Schwan
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 SECTION:
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)
===================================================
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)
MPC Gram
Staff:
Publisher:
Fred Schwan -
MPCGram@yahoo.com
Editor:
Philip M. Goldstein -
IWANTMYMPC@aol.com
Subscription
Manager:
Doug Bell
-
doug@papermoneyworld.net
Tuesday Columnist :
Joe
Boling -
JoeBoling@aol.com
Thurski Columnist:
Larry
"Ski" Smulczenski - skifla@prodigy.net
Friday
Columnist:
Fred Schwan -
MPCGram@yahoo.com
Critic:
Harold
Kroll -
HARBONS@aol.com
Distribution Manager:
Brad
Peacock -
bp22@swbell.net
Scholarship
Coordinator:
Marcus
Turner -
maturner@indy.rr.com
Index &
Back Issue Manager:
Ed Beaman -
ebeaman@sprynet.com
Webmaster & Technical Advisors: Doug Bell "Wiz" -
doug@papermoneyworld.net
Russ Walsh
-
russ.walsh@gte.net
Fact Checker:
Warner
Talso
-
Calendar
Coordinator:
John & Nancy Wilson -
The Boss:
Judy
Schwan -