From: "MPCgram" To: Subject: MPCGram 714 Date: Thursday, August 29, 2002 7:58 AM ============================================== MPC GRAM ============================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 003 - Number 714- Thurski 29 Aug Opportunity Lost By Larry “Ski” Smulczenski Last week, when my last Thurski column was published our editor added—“I was sure that Larry was going to end the E. A. Wright story with his personal encounter with a great collection of the notes. [Larry, see there is another story idea. I will supplement that story (when you tell it) with a story of my own about the Wright notes.)]” Oh, I remember that incident, alright, but I would just have soon forgot about it to tell you the truth. It's one of those stories that most of us have in our past, that bring back heartaches when we think about them. I've remembered this one numerous times over the years and rationalized, that you just can't collect everything because the pockets just aren't deep enough. But then again, I think back to notes that have been offered to me over the years that I have passed on and think, "Oh you fool.” You couldn't touch those for three, five or even ten times that much today. Anyway, this little incident happened sometime about twenty years ago, so some of the facts have grown a little fuzzy. You will have to excuse my memory, because as I have told some of you, the memory is the second thing that goes and I sure don't remember what that first thing was. As I recall, we were at a Memphis show, and it had to be one of the first five or six. I still was trying to complete my basic set of MPC but it seemed like every time I ran into Fred, he had something new to tempt me with. This time it was a collection of French colonial notes. Again, the facts are fuzzy, I believe it belonged to Phil DeRosa but it could have been Jerry Voigt's. This was a collection that even the most critical collector would want. It contained many of the most important notes from the French Colonies. There were a number of the rising Phoenix notes as well as most of the E.A. Wright notes that we talked about last week. I drooled all over the collection and Fred put on his best sales pitch. "It can go home with you" and "You can pay for it over time.” The natural cautious comeback of course is "Yah, but how much?" Fred's natural answer to that is "Oh, don't worry about that.” But I was worried about that, as I knew without looking in a catalog that we were talking about some where in the ballpark of five figures. I was noncommittal when I went to my room and pulled out a catalog. Five figures heck! There were notes from some of the colonies which would cost you close to five figures for just that particular colony. I had a sleepless night as visions of Columbus, the Santa Maria, Karukera, Marianne and the Rising Phoenix replaced the sheep jumping over the fence. I think I thought about it for two days, but in the long run I just had to pass. I might have still been paying on it if I had brought it home. Of course, today that collection would be worth two or three times that figure that I don't believe Fred ever gave me. Years later, I asked if he ever sold it. He said he had, but I never found out were it went. As a result, I decided to not collect French colonial notes. I passed on them when they were offered by dealers or in auctions. In all honesty though, I must admit that I never saw a huge offering of these notes. There was a nice small offering of the E.A. Wright notes earlier this year, but they changed hands real quickly. I personally concentrated on the German and British notes. I must admit that over the years, I mellowed in the resolve not to collect French colonial notes also. I have a few of these notes, including a Rising Phoenix and nearly all the Morocco notes, but still nothing to compare to that early eighty collection that I was offered. O.K., Fred, that's my recollection of what happened, lets hear your version. ============================================== Editorial ============================================== The easiest comment that I can make on Ski’s commentary is to answer the question of whose collection it was. It was the Voigt collection of French colonial notes that I offered Larry. Yes, he certainly made a mistake in not buying the collection. It was a wonderful group. Larry subjected himself to one of those terrible collecting maladies: that sucking chest wound from opportunities lost that never heal.” I know about this because my chest is covered with festering soars (few scars, mostly open wounds). When Larry passed, I took a few pieces from the collection to supplement my own and sold the remainder here and there. Of course it was not very difficult to sell, but because the notes were so wonderful. I made more money selling it the way that I did and got the money faster than financing it as a collection, but I still wish that Larry would have bought it. Besides the fact that it would have been good for Larry financially and mentally to have it, I wish that he did so that I could see it again! That would mean that you could see it too! Oh well, that is the nature of collecting. This way it made many collectors happy too. Fred ============================================== Mail Call ============================================== Dear Esteemed Editor, Letter to the Editor #6? was really 7, so this one is 8. FYI. I do not wnat to confuse you any more than necessary. I was going to send this as an email to Joe Boling but I thought it might be useful to someone else in Gramster land. In a recent "Viet Nam News" article, they described a former Cpt Matsunobu Nakahara, now 81, who was on the staff of MG Ikawa in Hanoi just before the surrender of the Japanese in Aug 45. He said that the general convinced him and many other officers to leave and join Ho Chi Minh's forces before the surrender. They all worked and fought with the Viet Minh until 1954, when they were repatriated to Japan. That is, all except the general, who was killed in a battle. A few years ago, three gold coins issued by the DRVN were discovered. When I reported them to Joe, he said they matched Japanese coin weights, and they did not match my known weights for the Vietnamese. I am wondering if one or more of these Japanese officers had anything to do with creating these coins. Can any of you in Gramster land solve this for me? Howard Dear Howard, This was supposed to keep me unconfused? Steamed Editor Dear Esteemed Editor, Mr Carnes at the US Army Finance Museum can immediately acquire a declassification form and submit it to have the Confidential cancelled on the specimen books. It is not a big deal and the US Army and Government because they are looking for anything and everything that can be declassified. Howard Daniel Dear Howard, Bill Carnes (Finance Corps Museum) told me yesterday that he is going to persue declassification of the booklets. We sure look forward to this. Heck, I look forward to finding one of the booklets in private hands! Editor Dear Editor, I kindly received my pay from the Dallas BBQ fest but I forgot to get BBQ at the gathering. It was a pleasure to get so many wonderful notes but no sooner than I received them were the vultures circling the camp trying to get them from me. I am referring of course to my serial number #1 and #2 star notes without naming any vultures, they ripped off my carcass(boy I not sure about the spelling) and left the bones and a few duplicates in place of my jewels. I took a selection of WW1 and WW2 posters from my inventory to the show as well as the rest of Ruth Hills POW script and propaganda leaflets which will be sold either in Nov or Feb or through internet auctions going forward. I hope those in attendance enjoyed having something to look at. We were glad to have all of you that made the journey and hope the show was enjoyable for each of you. This show is a great little secret as there is nowhere you can go and have so many knowledgeable dealers with time to share without pressure. I hope next year more will join us. Lyn Knight ============================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS ============================================== 2002 Hong Kong Coin Auction, August 29, 2002 & Hong Kong International Coin Convention, August 30-31, 2002, Holiday Inn Golden Mile, 50 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Auction sponsored by Baldwin's Auctions Ltd.; Ma Tak Wo Numismatic Co. Ltd.; Ronald J. Gillio Auctions; and Monetarium (S) Pte. Ltd. Bourse information from Ronald J. Gillio, 1003 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, Telephone 805-962-3197 & Fax 805-962-6659 or Margaret Ang/Kathy Chu in Hong Kong at 852-2311-1699 or email at tcoinshk@netvigator.com. London Paper Money Fair, September 1, 2002, The Bonnington Hotel, 92 Southhampton Row, London WC1, England, Pam West, P.O. Box 257, Sutton, Surrey SM3 9WW, Telephone/Fax 44-208-641-3224 or email PamWestBritNotes@Compuserve.com. Czech International Symposium on Paper Money, September 12, 2002 & 5th Collectors' Fair of Philately, Numismatics and Telephone Cards, September 13, 2002, IBNS Czech Chapter, Evzen Sknouril (President), Vaclacke nam 17, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic, Telephone 420-2-2400-9273 or Fax 420-2-2400-9278 or email ibnscz@volny.cz. Strasburg Currency & Stock & Bond Show, September 12-15, 2002, Lancaster Host Resort & Conference Center, 2300 Lincoln Highway East (US-30), Lancaster, PA 17602, Kevin Foley, P.O. Box 573, Milwaukee, WI 53201, Telephone 414-421-3484 or Fax 414-423-0343. Central States Fall Show (& Greater Cincinnati Numismatic Exposition), September 20-22, 2002, Sharonville Convention Center, I-75, Exit 15, North Cincinnati, OH, Paul Padget, Telephone 513-821-2143. 5-6 October IBNS Congress at the Trade Union Congress hall, two blocks from the British Museum. On 4 October there will be an IBSS (Int'l Bond and Share Society) meeting at the Victory Services Club (Marble Arch), which will include lot viewing for their October mail bid sale (the sale will include Japanese WWII bonds, and undoubtedly other items of interest to gramsters). There are usually auctions by Spink's and by Phillips Son and Neale that week St. Louis paper money show 21-24 November POW Conference 5- 8 October Muscatine Holiday Inn, Muscatine, IA has blocked out rooms for Sunday and Monday nights, and offers a special rate for those and Saturday night at $75 per room 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 FUN Florida United Numismatists, Orlando, 9 - 12Jan 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. Here are a few notes from the Phil Goldstein collection Series 481 3rd Printing 5 Cents EF $9.00 10 Cents AU lite stain $15.00 25 Cents EF lite stain $25.00 50 Cents Fine $40.00 $1.00 VF $35.00 $10.00 F-VF $60.00 Series 481 4th Printing 5 Cents EF $12.00 10 Cents VF $30.00 Prices include domestic insured delivery confirm coinman@rochester.rr.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. 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! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com