From: "MPCgram" To: Subject: MPCGram 870 Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2003 8:06 AM =========================================== MPC GRAM =========================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 004 - Number 870 Wednesday March 12, 2003 The Shrinking Black Hole By Phil Goldstein After reading Freds report of my efforts to help reduce the mass of the Port Clinton Black Hole, I just had to add my 2 cents.... As we all now know, before the Fest, I made a commitment to Fred (and Judy) to organize the PCBH, as many of MY items from my collection had been sent for either digital scanning for the new books, or sent for possible sale, among other reasons. After several months when they had not been returned, and Fred lost track of them, I ran out of tolerence for his situation. Since I could not wholeheartedly expect him to take any inititive, I had to bide my time until the Fest, and do it myself. Immediately following Fest, as Fred previously stated, I was invited to stay at Freds house, (albeit without the knowledge of Judy) and the following morning, I was up at 08:30, and immediately set to work. I started by making a PATH at the very least to his computer without walking on various notes/ receipts, manuscripts, or what have you.. among this rabble, were various uncashed checks, money orders.. I just kept throwing a dirty look at Fred everytime I found one, who, might I add was the most useless of help, as he was busy getting on the computer doing the Gram, and creating things for the next Fest. After bumping into him several times, I eventually told him to vacate the premises, and he complied. This was accomplished in about 4 hours. It was in this mode, that after moving his office chair, of which, one of the casters was on top an empty Priority Mail envelope, and that being on a 5"x 8" currency holder containing what I feel to be some of the holiest of holies: the 641 .10 cent ladder note: J12345678J and the 641 .25 cent solid note: J11111111J I sat on the floor cross-legged, in dumbfounded shock. I immediately let out a string of blue streak cursing, and Fred came in and asked, "what as the matter?" I stated, "This is a disgrace! If you cannot at the very least take better care of this irreplaceable material by jamming it in an album or a box, then he don't deserve to hold it." He chuckled in that Fred Chuckle sort of way. This led me to stop working on the floor for a few moments, and attempt to locate his MPC album. After finding the one that contained the fancy SNs and like, I put away (after kissing them goodnight) the ladder and solid. I knew he wouldn't let me take them home as a foster parent quite yet, so I don't even think I asked. Needless to say, I found many irreplaceable and high value notes just laying on the floor (in currency holders at the least): unc 691 $20's, POW chits, Gasoline Coupons, 1000 franc AMC unc, MPC & AMC replacements of every sort in any kind of condition, you name it. I just kind of piled it up, until I could get to it. The reason for this is, I had to do the noisy part of cleaning during daylight hours so I wouldn't disturb Judy's sleep. Sorting notes and reorganizing albums is quiet work, so I saved that for late night tasking. After completing the floor path task, I began sorting his pile of books by catagory: chess, computer, publishing, aviation, WW2 History, etc. Fortunately for me his floor to ceiling bookcase runs the entire wall, and although mostly full, I could place almost all the books where they belonged. Will doing this I found a pile of blank pages and dividers for his albums. This was such of an important find to me, you would be amazed, I needed them to reorganize his albums, and had been agonizing over how to do it with the support material. Anyhow, you would be surprised how much floor space was now open, that's when Judy came to tell me to get ready for dinner, she was in shock. Wide eyed and open mouthed shock. and a smile crept upon her face, as the light bulb went off over her head, and she said, "pick up all the paper clips, and debris because tomorrow, I'll break out the electric broom." Fred sighed, and left the office. We went out to dinner with Leo and a pleasant time, but I wanted to get back to the BH and make more progress. We returned home, and I jumped right back in both feet, both hands, a few garbage bags. I circular filed all the empty envelopes, crumpled balls of paper, and unmistakable refuse. While in the progress of doing this, naturally I found unopened envelopes. With Freds permission, I opened them (some enveloped postmarked from 1998). I found many requests for books, want lists, more checks and money orders, notes for trade, etc... How this man became so famous and such an important part of the MPC community and remain so unorganized, is beyond me. It's getting on 21:00, and Judy informs us she going to bed, which is a polite way for her telling Fred "your going to bed too" He went to bed, and I shifted into album reconstruction mode. I took all his MPC albums, the batch of empty pages and dividers, and began to consolidate and reorganize. He had fancy SNs, Low SNs, errors, replacements jammed in every album, in any which way. One album (surprisingly) which didn't need fixing was his multiple printing regular and replacement set. Here, shockingly enough he was well organized. But as for the rest of the albums, I had to work on them. Work work work, and I look at my watch, and it's now 02:00, and I'm done: All his low SNs are in one section, all his errors in another, all his fancy SN's in another, all his fancy replacements, in another. In another album, his Series 661 Progressive Proof Set had all the notes from one denomination jammed into one pocket. I set out by separating each color from each denomination and displaying then in the same format for all note. It was here I also discovered within this set, that the light blue underprinting for one of the denominations was missing. I panicked, and looked but to not avail. I would have to wait until morning to bring it to Freds attention. At this point I was getting an invitation by Mr. Sandman, so I hit the sack. Stay tuned for my next installment of the Shrinking Black Hole =========================================== Editorial =========================================== I found myself expending most of my editorial in the response to Ski?s letter below, so I will have to squander a topic early. Yesterday, David Seelye and I came up with what we think is a spectacular idea. You might (should) recall that we have decided to expand Fest 2004 to include a nearly full day of bourse on Friday. Unlike the rest of the Fest, this will be open to the general collecting public. David was pushing me to get the Fest dates into the respective calendars in the print numismatic media. Of course we intend to do that, but this is a little early. Anyway, that got us thinking about the data that goes into such listings. On of the items is comments about entry fees. While most numismatic events are free a few charge admission. That is where the lightening struck. Instead of charging admission, we can/will PAY collectors to attend the bourse! How about that for a unique and innovative approach! Here is where you come in to help brainstorm the thing. We could pay something like a $2 FRN or we could pay in military fest certificates. If MFC is used, we could overprint some as ?souvenir admission passes? or such terminology. These would only be issued as admission tickets and any extra shredded in public (as with all MFC). If the admission is only paid to nonfesters those receiving them should find the attention that they receive about their MFC/admission tickets quite interesting. We need and want to know what you think. One other item. Today is absolutely the last day to get an advertisement in the first-ever (official) Bank Note Reporter MPC issue. This issue includes lots of good stuff on MPC and military money: news, articles, features, advertising. It will be a collectors item in its own right. Call Krause publications NOW. Fred =========================================== MAIL CALL =========================================== Dear Editor, Lets quit playing games with the date for Fest. It has been the week after CPMX for the four years we have had it and it has worked out well. If Long Beach is more important to some folks then Fest, let them go to Long Beach. Larry Dear Larry, Yes, the proposed changes unlink the Fest from CPMX. I have always felt that that was a good fit, but then again for the past two years CPMX has left many check books with their low balance warning lights blinking. Neither Long Beach nor the ANA mid year conventions are the major reasons that I (reluctantly) support a change to the April date. The main reasons are the terrible complaints that have been lodged by certain southern collectors about the PC weather in Feb/March. Although I did not take these complaints too seriously, I thought that there was an underlying seriousness. While there is no guarantee that late April will not bring a snow storm, it generally is quite nice in PC about that time. However, the biggest reason that I think April is better is that one of these years CPMX and the Fest will be cancelled by a winter storm. See also below. Editor Good Morning Editor, April is fine with me!! Maybe I can skinny dip then!! Nick Dear Nick, Yikes! The possibility of seeing you skinny dipping is moving the Fest back to January! Editor Dear Editor: Another note regarding the reopening of auction lots. I don't think I have been to a major paper money auction in the last 10 years or more that this has not happened at least once, often after several lots more have gone by. Ian A. Marshall Dear Editor, Just a PS to the story about the MFC horse trading, all the proceeds went to the Scholarship Fund although I must admit it has given me ideas about starting a geriatric Travel Fund for the support of those unable to remember their flight times. Thanksagain for a great Fest. Tom =========================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS =========================================== March 12, deadline for Bank Note Reporter MPC issue. Submit your ads and editorial material for this special issue. Contact Mary Roloff: roloffm@krause.com. March 21, deadline for application for ANA Summer Seminar military money scholarship, see: http://www.papermoneyworld.net/news/Military%20Numismatists%20Scholarship%20Fund%202003.pdf 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 registration as 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. 2004 MPCFest V, reservations now being accepted. Reservations entered in order received: (Feb-Mar 2004): Roger Urce#, John Cheney#, David Seelye, Phil Goldstein, Harold Kroll, Gail Baker#, Leo May$$$, Kevin Neidy, Cuneyd Tolek, Warner Talso, Cameron Bueschel, Wendell Wolka, Fred Schwan. # new Fester, $ paid. $$ paid single occupancy. Running totals: total 12, new festers 3. 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 ======================================== 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! Web Hosting - establish your business online http://webhosting.yahoo.com