George Morgan's appointment as Assistant Engraver
RogerB
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This is the Mint Director's letter appointing George Morgan an assistant engraver in the Engraver's Department. This was a simple administrative appointment.
When Morgan came to America in October 1876 his title was "Special Engraver" reporting only to Mint Director Henry R. Linderman. This placed him on an equal level with Engraver William Barber, and created much friction and complaint at the Philadelphia Mint. When Linderman died, Morgan lost his advocate and it appears letters of recommendation from the Royal Mint were suppressed by A. Loudoun Snowden. This led to Barber's nomination although Morgan was the better engraver and artist. (Also, Morgan was not a US citizen.)
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That is a sharp pen.
Like the little twirl at the bottom.
So those two didn’t like each other?
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/publishedset/209923
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/album/209923
It is becoming apparent that the spiral after Snowden's signature was a signatory addition he made on his written communique's .... Interesting foible... Cheers, RickO
Seemed like a good related post to add a few letters related to Morgan coming to America:
August 14, 1876 - Confidential letter from Linderman to Pollock based on Fremantle's recommendation of Morgan. The idea was a 6-month trial of his skills with the intent to improve the designs on US Coinage. They were cognizant of issues which could effect "Professional pride and embarrassment" of the current engraver and assistant engraver with this move. If the 6-month trial was successful, the intent was to promote him to Assistant Engraver.
August 22, 1876 - Linderman to Pollock stating he has offered to Morgan the 6-month trial to improve designs and dies of US Coinage. The PS is interesting referring to not objecting to the change in the matter of young Barber.
September 29, 1876 - Linderman to Pollock - Have not heard back from Morgan yet, so proceeding with the beginning of the redesigns of coinage 1/2, 1/4, Dime, Dollar.
October 2, 1876 - Linderman to Pollock - Received acceptance from Morgan - Please arrange an area suitable for him to do his work upon arrival. Talk about duties and not infringing on current engravers, etc.
October 11, 1876 - Linderman to Pollock - I laughed at this one - basically they could not find a suitable work place for him in the mint - so authorized Morgan to work from his own private room.
Obviously, Morgan was brought in under unique circumstances, and I can certainly see how either Barber could have felt their toes were being stepped on. I think most people believe they did not get along. With the recent Barber papers coming out last year, perhaps there was more of a professional camaraderie than most have believed in the past.
And new information is learned from the diary of Charles’ 19-year-old daughter Edith, who accompanied her father and his wife on the European trip. The diary also provides strong evidence that Charles Barber and George T. Morgan, designer of the Morgan silver dollar, got along well, despite the assumptions of many that the two disliked each other.
From this article: https://www.numismaticnews.net/article/seven-new-faces-of-charles-barber
"You Suck Award" - February, 2015
Discoverer of 1919 Mercury Dime DDO - FS-101
With regard to the PS mentioned above. There was consideration given to training Charles Barber to harden and temper dies.
Also, the conflict was between William Barber, Pollock and Morgan. Charles B was not involved. There was also the side issue of Linderman vs Pollock. Both had been mint director and Pollock did not like being #2 to Linderman.