From: "MPCgram" To: ; Subject: MPCGram 691 Date: Sunday, August 04, 2002 8:01 AM ============================================== MPC GRAM ============================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 003 - Number 691-Sunday 4 Aug 2002 Festers to Receive Special Souvenir On the occassion of Gram 691, Mr 691 has announced that he will give an important/historic gift relating to the destruction of MPC Series 691 to everyone who attends MPCFest 4! Mr. 691 is the code name for the person who liberated Series 691 and 701 for collectors. No additional details are available on this spectacular offer. If details become available,they probably will NOT be released until FourFest. Adna Wilde to Cooperstown! (er Colorado Springs) NY--MPC collector and student at military money seminar I Adna Wilde has been selected for induction in the Numismatic Hall of Fame. The announcement was made at the ANA Awards Banquet on Saturday night in New York. The citation for the recognition did not mention his affiliation with MPC instead focusing on a life time of collecting and service to the association. A visit to Fort Indiantown Gap by David Klinger After the ANA Summer Seminar, I drove back to my hometown of Lykens PA for a family reunion. While there I made a visit to Fort Indiantown Gap, only 15 miles away. A POW camp for German prisoners operated there in 1944 and 1945. According to Lance Campbell's POW book they issued POW Canteen money in denominations of 1, 5, 10, and 25 cents. I never found any of the scrip during my visit. My first stop was the Public Affairs Office where I asked if there were any photo archives of the POW Camp - Nothing. Nothing either from the HQ building. I was sent to see the Curator of the Post Museum, Charles B. Oellig. The museum is open on Mondays and Fridays only. I was lucky - it was a Monday. I asked if there were any exhibits in the museum or elsewhere concerning the POW Camp - there were none! I pressed him for anything he had and he found a file of newspaper clippings and other assorted papers, all related to the POWs. One article stated that there were over 20 POW camps in Pennsylvania, including one on the battlefield at Gettysburg. He also had one artifact in the museum related to the POWs. It was a model tank, made by one of the German prisoners. It was in the bottom of a display case and wasn't clearly identified as to it's POW connection. I've attached a picture of the tank. www.papermoneyworld.net/grams/baricks.htm I asked if there was a book or pamphlet on the history of Indiantown Gap - none. The nearest thing was a two page handout entitled: Historical Sites at Fort Indiantown Gap. There were 24 items listed, but no mention of the POW Camp! In the file I did find information on the barracks used by the POWs which I'll mention later. I also found a copy of a POW record for a Gunnar Wack who gave his record to the museum during a visit he made a few years ago. He married an American and still lives in New York. His record shows he was first in a camp at Scottsbluff, Neb. (30 Sep 1944), then Ft. Eustis, VA (28 Jan 45) and finally to Indiantown Gap on 8 Feb 1945. I've attached a scan of the front side of his POW record. The back had a complete set of fingerprints and other data. www.papermoneyworld.net/grams/baricks.htm Other interesting items from the museum's POW file included a newspaper report of 8 Aug 1945, when one prisoner escaped and another who had escaped a few days earlier had voluntarily returned to his work detail. This article puts into dispute the closing date of the camp, listed in Campbell as May 1945. Most of the POWs worked on various details in the area including various local farms. One list had 40 men assigned to the Shaub farm nearby. Most all of the farmers in the area were (and still are) Pennsylvania Dutch, and most spoke German. This list was unusual also in that it referred to the POW Camp s: "Stewartstown POW Camp, Branch #3 out of Indiantown Gap." The history of Indiantown Gap dates back to the Susquehannock Indians who lived in that area of Pennsylvania for well over three thousand years. From these Indian villages, located throughout the surrounding area, Indiantown Gap got its name. Jumping forward in time, the origin of Fort Indiantown Gap as a military training facility actually began in 1931 when they moved and expanded the National Guard training site from the 120 acre summer encampment at Mt Gretna to Indiantown Gap. Additional land was gradually purchased from local farmers until the total area was in excess of 18,000 acres. Annual maneuvers started at the Gap in 1933. Indiantown Gap wasn't formally dedicated until March 3, 1941, and officially named Indiantown Gap Military Reservation (IGMR). On May 1, 1975, the name was changed to Fort Indiantown Gap. World War II began the strategic importance of the Gap. It was one of the nation's most important Army training camps serving as the staging area for the New York Port of Embarkation. Seven divisions were given final training at the Gap prior to being shipped overseas. Many of these troops lived in the barracks of area 16. The only thing which remains at Indiantown Gap to tie into the POW era are the various barracks which were used to house the German POWs during the period 1944-1945. The POWs at the Gap during that period were first housed in areas 17 and 10. Most of these buildings no longer exist (except for two buildings in area 17). However, during most of the period the Germans were housed in area 16 in the Green Barracks, some of which are still standing (though in partial ruins). These are the only green buildings on the entire post so they are easy to remember for those who stayed in them. These barracks were built as temporary buildings in 1940, so it is amazing that they are still standing. The barracks were green, not from paint, but from a green, asphalt-based roofing material which was used to sheath the outer walls of the buildings. I walked through many of these buildings. Some pictures are attached: www.papermoneyworld.net/baricks.htm I was with my brother, Rich Klinger, during this visit and he suprised me when he told me that he lived in these Green Barracks for two weeks in 1948, when he participated in a High School, state-wide, Olympics-style athletic competition. Although many various and important events occurred at the Gap over the years, two more are especially notable. Fort Indiantown Gap was chosen on two separate occasions as a Refugee Resettlement Camp. In 1975, over 32,000 Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees were housed at the Fort. Then five years later, in 1980, the Fort again became a refugee camp when over 19,000 Cuban aliens were brought to the Gap for processing. The Vietnamese, Cambodians and Cubans were all housed in these same Green Barracks of Area 16, as well as in several Tent Cities. One of the 49 Gratitude Train cars from France is also located at Fort Indiantown Gap. Americans filled over 700 of these boxcars with supplies for the starving people of France after WWII, who later expressed their appreciation by returning 49 of the boxcars filled with gifts and trinkets for each of the 48 states plus the District of Columbia. The PA car came to the Gap in 1950. Picture attached. www.papermoneyworld.net/grams/baricks.htm I stopped for gas before leaving the post and chatted with an Officer who told me that a demolition order had been signed for all of the Green Barracks. By years end there will be an empty field where these historic barracks now stand. Maybe someone will at least put up a marker of some sort to remember these remarkable events. So, I made a final inspection of the barracks and as I stood inside one of the silent green buildings I could almost hear the conversations which must have occurred there over time: 1943 - A group of anxious GIs discussing their impending deployment to points unknown. When are we going? Where to? When will we see combat? When will we be back? 1945 - Two German POWs just return from a days work on the Shaub farm. They remark how strange it is to be able to speak German to Americans here in the US and to eat German food. 1948 - Several high school athletes discuss tomorrow's one mile race and wonder aloud if any of them will do well enough to make it to the real Olympics - someday. 1975 - A Vietnamese woman laments to her family how she wished she could have some steamed rice and a bit of fish, rather than the pork chops and fried potatoes she was just served at the mess barracks. 1980 - Two Cubans, who were cell-mates in an Havana prison, make remarks about how Castro released them and sent them to sea in small boats, and how now they end up in a foreign prison in this place called Indiantown Gap. ============================================== Editorial ============================================== I have an article on Series 691 in preparation. I just could not get it done for this milestone Gram so I owe it to you! Heck there was so much good stuff for this Gram that it was not even needed. Fred ============================================== Mail Call ============================================== Dear Gram, Congratulations to Fred on the NLG award ! Well deserved. David Klinger Dear Gram, It is wonderful that our bible, Fred's Comp Catalog of MPC, won whe paper money book award from the NLG! Of course now we must ask Fred: "What have you done for the hobby lately!?" MPCKid ================================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS ================================================ 2002 ANA Annual Convention, New York City, July 30 (PNG Day), July 31- August 4. (MESSAGE CENTER? (Active Monday, July 28, through Sunday, August 4) Message center phone 719/499-3591) The IBNS General Meeting is at 11AM on Saturday morning and it is followed by the NI General Meeting at 12 Noon in the same room. Howard Daniel will be moderating both meetings and will be running a "show and tell" with the attendees. Bring your stuff to NYC and show it off! Dallas Aug 21-24 National paper money and historical artifacts show at the Sheraton Grand hotel at DFW Airport. An auction will be held Friday and Saturday nights. POW Conference ?5 ?8 October Iowa, Confirmed participants: Feller, Smulczenski, Schwan 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, Chicago, IL 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$$, Fred Schwan, David Seelye, Nick Shrier, Larry Smulczenski, Warner Talso, Marcus Turner, Tom Warburton, Mark Watson, Bill Yanchick, Tom Koch, Nancy and John Wilson $$ = Paid Running total: 22 ANA:21-23 March 2003, March, Charlotte, NC ================================================== Subscription information: You can enter an email address to receive the gram by using the link below. Use this to change your address (add the new one), add a friend or enemy. http://www.papermoneyworld.net/WebMailList/Default.asp =================================================== 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 / 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 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 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) 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. This is a modest but important collection of MPC replacements. Heck, anytime that a collection has more than twenty different, it is significant. This collection is not significant so much for how many different, but for what the pieces are. This collection includes some VERY important replacements, starting with the first one. Terms are available, please confirm availability via email fred@papermoneyworld.net. Of course the email confirmation gets the note. Nice Korean MPC coupon; 4th series .25 denomination. 600.00. email me at kochfam@gte.net Tom Koch 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. Wanted listings will run for a period of 1 month. WANTED - Fancy Series 641 fractional notes - any condition. (5/18) WANTED - Philippine Guerrila Money (5/26) Wanted: War and other bonds issued by the US government, will purchase or trade. =================================================== 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:vacant 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 ===== 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!? Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better http://health.yahoo.com