From: "MPCgram" To: Subject: MPCGram 992 Date: Friday, August 15, 2003 2:30 PM =========================================== MPC GRAM =========================================== Covering the entire World of Military Numismatics Series 004 - Number 992 Friday August 15, 2003 WWII Neutral (?) Sweden By Warner Talso Serendipity. Every once in a while events conspire to provide a deeper explanation of issues than one ever expected. Such has just happened to me. First, recall that I wrote about WWII Soviet-Swedish bonds the MPC Gram of 11 Jul 2003. Second, I attended an International System Safety Conference in Ottawa, Canada, last week. Third, I took along my newly acquired copy of "Neither Friend Nor Foe,? by Jerrold M. Packard. A very readable, and eye-opening, book about the five neutral European nations in WWII. And, fourth, I discussed Sweden's role in WWII with a very good Swedish friend at the conference, Ragnar Ekholm. The details are fascinating, and since this is my column, I get to tell the story. The Soviet-Swedish Bonds were first discussed in Gram Number 292 of March 27, 2001 by Gramster Mikhail Istomin of Kharkov, Ukraine. These were for loans given by the Swedish government to the USSR in 1941-42 according to a credit agreement between Sweden and the USSR in September 1940. The bonds surfaced in Russia about four years ago. Speculation was that Sweden wanted to balance their close trade links with the nazi Germany. It remains unclear why these were not provided in a standard way by funds transfer through banks. There are two possible explanations: 1) Sweden and the USSR wanted to keep the loans confidential. And this was the easiest way to keep the secret. 2) Sweden was in doubt as for repayment and this seemed to be the best way to have some evidence to present in courts. Sweden, like all the neutrals, was not truly neutral. More accurately they were "non-belligerents.? They bowed to pressure, depending on the pressure and who was perceived as winning. Their sole goal was to stay out of the war. Sweden has some of the worlds most pure iron ore in the North at Kiruna. Germany had long been a trading partner. Nazi Germany insisted on maintaining this relationship after the outbreak of WWII hostilities. This ore was shipped through the northern Norwegian town of Narvik to the sea and hence by ship to Germany. Nazi Germany then occupied Norway. Shipment by sea was no longer safe since the British Royal Navy controlled the North Sea. Norway had no land transportation links with the far north. Germany prevailed on Sweden to ship the ore through Sweden to the Baltic Sea, which was now controlled by the Germans. OK, so far. Then Germany wanted to use Swedish rail to ship troops to establish a garrison at Narvik. Once, then twice, then weekly. A slippery slope. Each time, Sweden balked, then acquiesced to pressure. This is the "transit" issue that was the overriding moral dilemma of "neural" Sweden. At one point, King Gustav V considered abdicating rather than appear to support this violation of neutrality. Now consider Sweden's relationship with Finland. They have never been at war with each other and for a short time, were a single nation. There is a great deal of empathy and solidarity between the two countries. Russia invaded Finland on 30 Nov 1939 in what is called the Winter War. Finland's Army of 135,000 troops withstood the Russian Army of about 1,000,000 for 105 days. Sweden allowed 8,000 volunteers to join the Finns and provided significant materiel to their brothers. The world sympathized, but did little. Finland was forced to give up 22,000 square miles or 12% of its land. Then Germany invaded Russia. Finland, a long time democracy, had little love for Nazi Germany, but they saw an opportunity to regain their lost land. On 25 Jun 1941, Finland declared themselves a co-belligerent of Germany-not an ally, and attacked Russia with the objective of regaining lost territory. In support of this effort Germany forced Sweden to allow a complete Wehrmacht division (Engelbrecht Division) to transit Sweden. Fifteen thousand troops and all their materiel traversed the neutral kingdom at the rate of 4 trainloads per day for 2 weeks. Sweden was now deeply linked to the invasion of Russia. It was at this time that Sweden offered to loan Russia highly desired hard currency. I submit that this history, only briefly outlined here, provides the basis for a third reason for these Soviet-Swedish bonds. That is as a bribe (I cannot think of a better word) to counterbalance the implied support of the Finnish/German invasion of Russia. Bonds would then be a vehicle by which to prove Swedish support of Russia, should proof of such support be needed in the future. =========================================== Editorial/opinion =========================================== Gram headquarters was down for only a few hours from the power outage. It was sufficient reason to miss yesterday?s Gram. I lost about 35 phone messages to the outage. These were unheard message. Of course most of them were probably from long-distance salesmen, but some may have been opportunities lost. These 35 are on top of 30+ that were lost a week ago to a thunderstorm last week. That is sufficient time to have lost two messages from the same person. I am sorry. =========================================== MAIL CALL =========================================== letters/submissions for Gram 1000 special double issue should be sent to MPCGram1000@yahoo.com Dear Gram, I first want to point out that here has been no re-publication (at least intentional) of any of the Grams. PMW is simply the location of the Gram archive. Of course we could locate that archive anywhere: say the ANA Library or the Port Clinton Black Hole (heaven forbid), but who would it be accessible to? I was under the impression that the Gram was all about the exchange of information? That notion appears to be going to hell in a hand basket now. Doug Bell has put a lot of work into the Gram archive over the past few years and has really transformed it into a great research tool. This is something that Doug and rest of us should be really proud of (not angry about). It is very disturbing to hear that Gail Baker (Educational Director of the ANA) shying away from utilizing Gram articles in her activities. Although I only speak for myself, I have never written an article for the MPCGram for the great pay. I will bet that the vast majority of any of the other writers for the Gram would agree. For the record Gail, the ANA is welcome to reprint any of the articles that I authored in the Gram. Sorry folks, I just don't see the downside. Fred, you don't get paid enough to put up with the incessant whining... Marcus Turner Dear Marcus, Thank you for your support. You might be surprised to realize that the purpose of copyright protection is to encourage the distribution of information! It does that by protecting the creators of ideas. I am tempted to discuss this matter much more, but will resist pending indication of more interest on the subject. Editor Dear Gram, Neil brings up a feature of the Milwaukee trade notes that I had forgotten. Yes, I did trade him a note for the one that I obtained in Baltimore - as I recall, it was a $5 series 031 SEMINAR III note. Since the piece I received from him is merely an unsigned remainder, it looks like he got the better end of the deal. No, I won't trade it for $5 in current fest notes. Joe Dear Gram, Neil brings up a feature of the Milwaukee trade notes that I had forgotten. Yes, I did trade him a note for the one that I obtained in Baltimore - as I recall, it was a $5 series 031 SEMINAR III note. Since the piece I received from him is merely an unsigned remainder, it looks like he got the better end of the deal. No, I won't trade it for $5 in current fest notes. Joe =========================================== CALENDAR OF EVENTS =========================================== http://calendar.yahoo.com/mpcgram Lyn Knight Auction [including major, old-time military money collection] August 20-24 Sheraton Grand Hotel 4440 West John Carpenter Freeway, Irving, Texas 75063 (972) 929-8400. Mini Fest anticipated, take your pay books! August 23 MPC barbeque, in conjunction with above Knight show/auction. Confirmed reservations: Doug Bell, Harold Kroll, David Seelye, Fred Schwan, Sam Feeback, Warner Talso, Neil Shafer, Joel Shafer, Steve Swoish, Marcus Turner, Bruce Potter, Frank Clark, john Cheney. Cost approximately $12 each, bring your paybooks. Send reservations to Doug Bell doug@papermoneyworld.net. August 28, the Charlton E. Meyer, Jr. and Gloria B. Meyer Collection of Holocaust and Camp Money will be exhibited at Holocaust Museum Houston. You are strongly urged to see it if at all possible. (take paybooks to the opening) http://www.hmh.org PCDA National and World Paper Money Convention. November 19-23, 2003. St. Louis Hilton Airport Hotel, 10330 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63134. Lyn Knight auction, consignment deadline September 30, 2003 2004 CPMX February 26-28, Lyn Knight auction. Consignment deadline January 10, 2004. March 5-7, MPCFest V, reservations now being accepted. Reservations entered in order received: Roger Urce#$$, John Cheney#$, David Seelye, Harold Kroll, Gail Baker#, Leo May$$$, Kevin Neidy, Cuneyd Tolek, Warner Talso, Cameron Bueschel, Wendell Wolka, John V. Craig#, John Cheney#, Steve Swoish, Joe Bissell#, Sparky Watson, Nick Schrier, Loretta Freyser, Dick Freyser, Ron Waddell, Robert Drew, Ed Arrich#, Neil Shafer#, Fred Schwan. # new Fester, $ paid. $$ paid single occupancy. Running totals: total 24, new festers 8. Standard rate $148, single occupancy $198, payments may be made by mailing paper instruments of any kind to BNR Press (or MPCFest or even Fred Schwan) at 132 E. Second St., Port Clinton, OH 43452. Payments may also be sent via PayPal (fredschawan@yahoo.com). Once you have sent your payment, monitor the above list to ensure that it has been received and posted). Show n tell: Gail Baker (education@money.org) Travel coordination: Sparky Watson (mcwatson@yahoo.com) Auction items: Larry Smulczenski (skifla@prodigy.net) Exhibits: Joe Boling (joeboling@aol.com) Masstricht April 23-25, Valkenburg, The Netherlands, contact Jos Eijsermans, Box 3240, NL 5930 Tegelen Netherlands ======================================== 2004 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. Al Glaser RA Medina Warner Talso David Seelye Russ Walsh Joe Boling Harold Kroll Pam West Ed Hoffman Ron Wadell Wes Hardy Dick Freyser Robert Drew Brett Irick Kevin Neidy Brian Giese 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 ? Tom Warburton ? Larry Lee ? Fred Schwan ? Mark Watson ? Harold Kroll ? Ian Marshall ? Marcus Turner ? Neil Shafer ? Keith & Sue Bauman 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 Additional 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, Bruce Peacock, David Seelye, 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 referred 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 trouble logging 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 Denlys of Boston (617) 482-8477 denlys@aol.com Doric Coins & Currency (508) 699-2266 (508) 643-1154 FUN (407) 321-8747 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) 720-0659 LeoMayEnt@aol.com 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) 897-1654 (voice and fax) 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. WWII local emergency note from Belgium. See page 33 of WWII Remembered (also available, autographed if you like $69 postpaid), catalog numbers1060-1065 (with 1060 being the new number for the 10 centimes denomination not listed) Six piece set 10 centimes-5 francs, uncirculated. Yours for $99 (postaid). 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. Wanted listings will run for a period of 1 month. WANTED 01; Anyone that has a series 691 $1 dollar note or a $20 note that the serial number ends in 05 I am willing to trade my gem unc same notes plus a bonus of cash to sweeten the trade or am willing to buy the notes out right? I am trying to finish my set with matching numbers Thanks Kevin Please call 248-830-6390 $4.00 Serial number 201; $5.00 Serial number 201; $10.00 Serial number 101; $20.00 serial number 101. Will buy, trade MPC, MFC, FRN notes. Put your for sale notice in the Gram. =========================================== MPC Gram Staff: Publisher, editor: Fred Schwan - MPCGram@yahoo.com Subscription Manager:Doug Bell- doug@papermoneyworld.net Tuesday Columnist : JoeBoling - JoeBoling@aol.com Friday Columnis: Warner Talso: wtalso@aol.com Fest Auctioneer: Larry "Ski" Smulczenski - skifla@prodigy.net Critic:Harold Kroll - HARBONS@aol.com Scholarship Coordinator: Marcus Turner - maturner@indy.rr.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 ===== 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! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com