From: "MPCgram" To: Subject: lost letter MPCG 851 Date: Sunday, February 16, 2003 8:03 PM =========================================== MPC GRAM =========================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 004 - Number 851 Sunday February 16, 2003 Fest Auction on line By Phil Goldstein The auction for Fest IV is being prepared. The draft list can be reviewed at MPCFest IV Auction Online Catalog Please go there and find some items of interest. I am still adding items so check back often. Gramsters and Festers can participate in the auction, but please review the rules carefully. The link will appear in the Gram every day through the end of the Fest. The Power of Gram by Marcus Tuner I cannot remember exactly when the first MPCGram went out, but it was sometime after MPC Fest I in March of 2000. Personally I thought that Fred was a little over ambitious in trying to get one out every day. OK, we can all agree that perhaps everyday is a bit of an overstatement, but on the average we are probably looking at five or six a week. Since that beginning sometime in 2000, I have written several articles for the gram. Some of these articles were intentional and others were simply questions that I had posed to Fred that he somehow sculpted into a feature article. In December of 2002 Fred asked me to become a weekly columnist for the Gram. At first I had no intention of taking on such a task. ANOTHER weekly deadline! I needed that like a needed a hole in the head. And what did I really know about this stuff anyways? I have only been serious collector since 1997. What the heck would I have to offer in comparison to guys like Larry S. and Joe B.? After some smooth talking, Fred was finally successful in talking me into it. His concept of my Sunday column was to take a look at something in World War II Remembered and either present some new material or make an attempt at revising what had already been written. If nothing else it was opportunity to put something down on paper and see what kind of feedback we received. It sounded like fun, and was probably a great opportunity for Fred to get some free help on the next edition of WWII Remembered. It was time to throw the line out and see if anything would bite. My first Gram as a weekly columnist was Gram 804 on the Gibraltar POW notes. I chose this topic because it is one of my favorite notes in my personal collection and that no one had done much writing on it before. Unfortunately our understanding of those particular notes has not changed much since it was first observed in 1974. I had speculated on several aspects of its use and the meanings of the various components of both he issued and ?specimen? examples known. My first ?bite? on that column came approximately two months later. I received an email from a Mr. Andrew Schembri of Gibraltar . Andrew is somewhat of a historian on all subjects relating to Gibraltar during WWII. Obviously he provided some wonderful information that not only corrected what I had previously written (much of what I wrote was completely incorrect), but also resolved many of the unanswered questions that I had. He provided me with information and photos as well as put in contact with others who had valuable information. My point here is not to write another piece on Gibraltar (if you are attending MPC Fest IV, you will get a complete update on what has been discovered with respect to the POW notes). The point is to stress what a valuable research tool the MPCGram is. I asked Mr. Schembri how he found my article. As it turns out he simply did an internet search through the Google search engine. I was aware that Doug Bell was keeping up the MPCGram index, but had no idea that search engines referenced individual Grams. I tried it myself! If you go to Google and search on ?Gibraltar POW? the second item of the list will take to you MPCGram 804. I was completely stunned! So what is the moral of my story? If you are currently researching some note in your collection, write a story about in for the Gram? As I have discovered, it is OK to be wrong. Eventually someone will find your article and will be able to provide you with the proper information and resources to complete your research. The feedback might be as close as another gramster or might come months later from another part of the world. This experience has taught me to appreciate and utilize the power of the Gram. I also believe that we all owe a huge ?thank you? to Doug Bell for marinating the MPCGram index and keeping our links to the World Wide Web open. Give it a try sometime! =========================================== Editorial =========================================== The delivery problems have become acute (see medical consultant below). Wiz is working on it and we are trying some alternatives, but we have no fixed solution. If you do not receive this Gram be sure to let us know! One theory that I have is that AOL is viewing the Gram as SPAM (Gad!!). I resent 850 about an hour ago with a different subject line. I will also send this one that way. I am also sending this one directly here from HQ instead of through the PMW server. Hopefully, these measures will help. It is amazing, last year we had great trouble getting the Gram out from the Fest and the week before. Hopefully, we can do better this year. Fred =========================================== Mail Call =========================================== Dear Gram, Is the Gram going out or and I not just receiving it. I haven't gotten one in a week or so... Best Wishes, Philip M. Goldstein Dear Gram, I saw the following item while cruising ebay. I collect some military medical items but was about knocked over when the description said that this was for a medical officer or paymaster. This is far from an area of expertise. Does anyone know anything about these? Are they really for medical officers and pay masters? How can they be identified? Title of item: Civil War Medical Officer/Paymaster SWORD Seller: richricca Starts: Feb-12-03 18:49:22 PST Ends: Feb-19-03 18:49:22 PST Price: Currently $79.00 To bid on the item, go to: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2159430475 Item Description: THis is an original civil war period Medical Officer or paymaster sword Extremely ornately designed . Light pitting on blade. Sword measures 24 3/4" in entirety with blade measuring 19 1/4". This piece is in wonderful condition!!! Lucky winning bidder please include $8 s/h. I am certainly looking forward to the Fest! C Tolek Dear Editor, Thanks to Warner for his info on the USS Indiana. I have found a number of websites with a lot of information on battleships, but have not been sucessful in locating any chits from any of them, save the one for the USS Wyoming I was able to get from Tom Koch. If any gram subscriber has any info on reference material, books, chit associations or souces relating to US battleships, I would appreciate a note in the gram Regards, Roger Urce Dear Roger, I heard a rumor that a world cruise with your wife was keeping you from the Fest. Seems like a curious allocation of priorities. I guess that you will have a chance to make up for it next year. Editor =========================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS =========================================== 2003 CPMX 9: 20 - 23 February, Chicago, IL MPC Fest IV: 28 Feb - 2 March, Port Clinton, OH Fest Registrants: Doug Bell, Joe Boling#$, 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, Nancy$# and John Wilson#, Bill McNease, Cuneyd Tolek#, Wendel Wolka#$$, Al Glaser$$, Ian Marshal, John Cheney#?, Wes and Rod Hardy, Sam Feeback$?, George Fitzgerald, Kevin Neidy#, Bill Haines#, Ed Beaman$$, Marv Mericle, Cameron Bueschel#$, Tiffany Bueschel$#, Russ Walsh$$, Robert Drew#, Bob Olson#, Ron Waddell#, Loretta Freyser#$. Registration fee: $148 double occupancy $198 single occupancy (including meals and motel). Payments may be sent to BNRPress, 132 E. Second St., Port Clinton, OH 43452 or via PayPal to fredschwan@yahoo.com. Suggested airports in order of desirability: Toledo, Cleveland, Detroit (attempts will be made to provide ground transportation to/from these airports (coordinate w/Sparky Watson mcwatson@yahoo.com) $$ = Paid. Running total: 42, #=new fester (running total 15 new Festers). Fest Auxiliary: Jane Talso, Judy Schwan. Coordinate arrival and departure with adjutant Sparky Watson: mcwatson@yahoo.com The Fest will be held at the same location as the past two years: Holiday Inn Express 50 NE Catawaba Road Port Clinton, OH 43452 Phone 419 732-7322 DO NOT MAKE RESERVATIONS AT THE HOTEL OR PAY ANYTHING DIRECTLY TO THE HOTEL!!! View the auction catalog at: MPCFest IV Auction Online Catalog Fest IV Training Schedule (Draft) Friday 28 February 1200-1800 in process Watson 1800-1930 chow mess sergeant 1800-2230 exhibits (concurrent) Joe Boling 1930-2030 group therapy Gary Hicks 2030-2130 pay call paymaster May 2130-2200 March madness pairings Wendell Wolka 2230-2300 March madness first round Wendell Wolka 2300-2330 bull session 2330 exhibits must be removed Boling 2331 px, canteen closed TBA 2400 lights out first sergeant Saturday 1 March 0400-0600 10k run, 3k swim (ice permitting) first sergeant 0600-0641 work detail laying out Series 641 0641 photo detail in messhall 0600-0800 chow first sergeant 0830-1000 show n tell Gail Baker 1000-1100 March Madness round II Wolka 1100-1230 snow n tell Gail Baker 1230-1245 company picture Hardy and Hardy 1245-1315 chow mess sergeant 1315-1630 bourse Seelye 1630-1745 show n tell Baker 1745-1800 nap individual 1800-1845 chow mess sergeant 1900-1930 March Maness finals Wolka 1930-1945 awards John Wilson 2000-2400 RVN poker game reenactment Schrier 2000-2100 auction lot viewing (concurrent) 2400 canteen closes, lights out 2401 bed check Sunday 2 March 0400-0600 10k run, 3k swim (ice permitting) first sergeant 0600-0700 chow mess sergeant 0700-0730 destruction of MFC 011 (from last year) Bill McNease 0730-0830 auction lot viewing Goldstein/Ski 0845-1030 auction MPCFest IV Auction Online Catalog 1100-1230 police call and early departures Watson 1230-1315 chow mess sergeant 1315-1500 field trip (TBA) Judy 1500-1800 pool party Jodi Foster Monday 3 March 0830-0900 breakfast Holiday Inn 0900- final departure Coordinating instructions: Show n tell contact Gail Baker (education@money.org) Arrival and departure coordination: Mark Watson MCW@qnet.com Auction items coordinate : Larry Smulczenski skifla@prodigy.net, Phil Goldstein IWANTMYMPC@aol.com Exhibits contact joeboling@aol.com March 12, deadline for Bank Note Reporter MPC issue. Submitt your ads and editorial material for this special issue. Contact Mary Roloff: roloffm@krause.com. ANA National Money Show, March 21-23, 2003, Charlotte (NC) Convention Center, Contact ANA Convention Department at convention@money.org or JoeBoling@aol.com for forms to exhibit. Hours are 10-6:30 Friday & Saturday & 10-2 Sunday. Hotels are The Westin Charlotte (704-375-2623) and the nearby Hampton Inn Charlotte Uptown (704-373-0917). Howard Daniel will be manning a joint NI/NBS/IBNS club table where Gramsters can meet each other. He is also conducting a joint NI/IBNS meeting on Saturday and invites all Gramsters to the meeting's show and tell session and to meet other collectors with similar interests. Masstricht April 4-6, Valkenburg, The Netherlands, contact Jos Eijsermans, Box 3240, NL 5930 Tegelen Netherlands May 30 ? June 1 POW Conference II, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA Registration fees: $150 for general registration; $200 after 1 May 2003. (A day fee of $50 per full day, $25 per half day will be accepted at the time of registrationŻas space allows for walk-in registrants to join pre-regs.) $100 for presenters, uni/college students, senior citizens, veterans of any age, overseas participants. (Registrations must be received by 1 May to qualify.)(Presenters coming for one day may attend half of that day free; if they'd like to attend the entire day they will be asked for a $25 contribution to help defray conference costs. [Basically, all presenters and panelists are being given $50 credit.]) $50 for TRACES donors/non-working TRACES board members. $50 for Journalists may attend the exhibit opening, 1-5 Saturday afternoon at the Johnson County History Center in Iowa City/Iowa, for free; those wishing to attend the rest of the conference in order to write articles/tape reports may do so at $25 per day. The exhibit itself is free and open to the public. We are very pleased to have, per plan, some half dozen German POWs or their families with us for the exhibit and conference; as much as we would like to waive the conference registration fee, we must ask that they make a one-time $50 contribution to help defray the unavoidable costs of making this conference a reality. Berlin Study Tour participants may attend for free. Please (!) pass this invitation to anyone you think might be interested in either presenting or attending. For more information about TRACES visit www.TRACES.org. Memphis International Paper Money Show: 13-15 June, Cook Convention Center, 255 N. Main St., Memphis TN 38103-1623 Military Numismatics Summer Seminar Session I dates are Saturday, June 28, to Friday, July 4; session II, Saturday, July 5 to Friday, July 11, 2003 Link for more and general information: http://www.money.org/sumsem2003.html Link to photos from Seminar II http://www.money.org/summer2002images5.html application for military money scholarship http://www.papermoneyworld.net/news/MilitaryNumismatists Scholarship Fund 2003.pdf PCDA National and World Paper Money Convention. November 19-23, 2003. St. Louis Hilton Airport Hotel, 10330 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63134. ======================================== 2003 scholarship fund Donations of cash and numismatic material will be gladly accepted. Generally the numismatic material is auctioned at MPCFest, but might be sold via ebay or other places. Your scholarship donations help the hobby by sending qualified individuals to the ANA summer seminar military money class. Except for unavoidable charges like ebay fees, 100% of your donation goes to scholarships. 2003 Scholarship Donors Ed Hoffman RA Medina Dick Freyser Larry Smulczenski David Seelye Howard Daniel Steve Feller Warner Talso Pam West Mr. 691 Leo May John & Nancy Wilson Max Spiegel Gail Baker Chris Connell Bill Haines Joel Shafer Mikhail (Misha) Istomin Gary Hicks Robert Drew Contact me at: "Marcus Turner" mailto:maturner@indy.rr.com Checks should be made out to the "Military Numismatists Scholarship." or Marcus Turner 8103 East US Highway 36 Suite 163 Avon, Indiana 46123 USA IMPORTANT SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION The last information given in the gram did not include the official release of application/donation information. This information can be found at the link below. We encourage everyone to print copies of this information and distribute it to those who might be interested. Further you are encouraged to e-mail the pdf document to anyone you see fit. Thank you http://www.papermoneyworld.net/news/Military Numismatists Scholarship Fund 2003.pdf Marcus Turner Scholarships from the ANA: See the following location for an application for financial aid to the summer seminar: http://www.money.org/sumsemfin.html =========================================== MPC ANA Museum Project =========================================== ANA collection of MPC: Thanks to donations from Douglas Bell, Dick Fryser, Ed Beaman, David Seelye, Philip Goldstean, Michael Cummings, Ray Czahor, David Pitchford and Mr 691the ANA MPC collection is current as follows: Series 100 - [50 sen], [1Y, 5Y, 10Y, 20Y all A underprint] Series 461 - 5, [10] cents, [$1] Series 471 - [5, 10, 25, 50 cents, $10] Series 472 - [5, 10 cents], [$1, $10] Series 481 - 5 cents, [10, 25 cents], 50 cents, $1, [$5] $10 Series 521 - 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, [$10] Series 541 - 5, 10, 25 cents Series 591 - [5, 10, 25, 50 cents, $1] Series 611 - [5, 10, 25 cents, $1] Series 641 - 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, $1, $5, $10 Series 651 - [$1] Series 661 - [10, 25, 50c], [$5], [$1, $5] $10 Series 681 - 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, $1, [$5], [$20] Series 691 - [$1, $5, $10, $20] Series 692 - 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, $1 Series 701 - [$1, $5, $10, $20] [50c etc.] = notes donated by Gramsters --Chris Connell =========================================== RESEARCH =========================================== New modification to the database you can now retrieve your password if you have forgotten at the main logon screen. Keep in mind syntax is important. The mpc database has changed its name it now going to be refered as, WW II P a p e r M o n e y D a t a B a s e This is just a hint of things to come If you are having truble loging on please inform doug bell At doug@papermoneyworld.net Papermoneyworld maintains an innovative interactive data base of all military payment certificates. Everyone is invited to enter notes in their possession or that they have observed. Visit the site at: http://www.papermoneyworld.net/user/default.asp this project is financially supported by David Seelye http://www.thempcman.net/, mailto:coinman@rochester.rr.com =========================================== 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 RBalbaton@aol.com Keith and Suzanne Bauman (248) 647 8938 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) 586-4672 iwantmympc@aol.com 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) 720-0695 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 Pomexport Ltd. 1-201-641-6641 / Fax: 1-201-641-1700 E-Mail: Info@pomexport.com // website: http://www.Pomexport.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. 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 Rendezvous with Destiny MFC Series 022 souvenir notes. Paying up to five times face value. Put your for sale notice in the Gram. =========================================== 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 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! Shopping - Send Flowers for Valentine's Day http://shopping.yahoo.com