Pattern collectors: Have you noticed how poorly done the new edition of the Judd book is?

Justhavingfun

Q David Bowers apparently killed most of Dr. Judd's great descriptions of the patterns and replaced them with zilch.

Example: Judd 561/64
DESCRIPTION IN ORIGINAL JUDD BOOK: Obv. Head of Liberty with head-dress of four large feathers; extending down from forehead is a ribbon inscribed UNION & LIBERTY; four stars on hair above forehead; beneath neck LONGACRE F. in minute letters. REV. Large V on a shield in an oval frane ornamented with scroll work and leaves; IN GOD WE TRUST above in small letters.

DESCRIPTION IN NEW JUDD BOOK EDITED BY Q DAVID BOWERS: OBVERSE: Indian Princess head. Reverse: V on shield die

It's a wipe out, isn't it?

And the photographs in the new Judd book, with all the advances in technology notwithstanding, are darker and not nearly as clear in the reprint as they were in the original.

What a shame. I'm going to buy a few extra copies of the old book from the out-of-print bookdealers.

Enjoy!

Just Having Fun

Shamika

Wow! Are those two descriptions really for the same coin? If so, I feel really bad for Pattern collectors.

Tough break.

oreville

I admit that I was somewhat disappointed with the new book. I seem to need to refer to all three major books, the Judd, Pollack and Bowers book for various information.

Justhavingfun

Yes. Same coin(s)!

It makes no sense. Judd's descriptions were great, why drop them?

One of the best things about his descriptions was that when one Pattern varied from the next, Judd would explained what the difference was.

These don't. Brain-dead descriptions.

Cordially,


Just having fun!

boiler78

I agree that the photos and descriptions are not as good as the original Judd book but the new version is useful for more current pricing, recent auction info and combined population data (moving target). I use the original book more often because I am familiar with it and when I want more detail I prefer the Pollock book.

Hopefully future editions will include better images and more detailed descriptions.

MFH

Owning the Judd, Pollock and Bowers books on US Patterns, each has its place in my reference library. The Bowers book is most helpful in determining the "current" value of these coins. Its modest price should make it a fast reference for the few of us who actually collect these items. Although it is a shame that a more fully detailed pattern book was not published, (and we all know that Dave Bowers could have embellished upon the Judd and Pollock books,) the book has its merits. I'm glad I picked it up.

Lakesammman

Don't forget it was written by committee. If Dave had done it, there would be 3 volumes.

Lakesammman

Don't forget it was written by committee. If Dave had done it, there would be 3 volumes.

boiler78

Here is a picture of the 561 that justhavingfun is referring to.

Justhavingfun

Justhavingfun

Thanks for posting the picture, Boiler 78. I still haven't figured out how to do that.

Hi Lakesammman: "If Bowers had done it, there would be three volumes." LOL, and yes, that's true. But it would have been a better book, I think.

Hi MHF: I do collect patterns -- at least of the series I collect -- but to me the book is worthless as a price guide. Limited: Only one condition, and more important, out of date and growing more so by the day. The Heritage auction records are far better and far more up-to-date.

The Pollack book is a great book in its own right. That would be a good book to bring back, perhaps coordinating the Pollack numbers with the Judd numbers.

The big benefit of the Bowers edition is that it did stimulate some interest in Patterns. I've had more competition for the coins I bid on than I did in the past. And while that's not so good for me, it's good overall.

Enjoy,


Just having fun!

Lakesammman

JHF:

It's too bad that Bowers just did the editing and introductions. I wonder if B and M owns the photo files and Dave doesn't have access to them anymore. The pictures and descriptions sure would have benifited from Daves photos and commentary.

I haven't seen the Whitman dollar book by Bowers. Is it better?? I've proof read the FE/IHC book and I think it will be a nice addition to the series. I've provided most of the illustrations for the book so, unless Whitman screws them up, the image quality should be good (though black and white).

Justhavingfun

Hi Lakesammman: My guess is that Bowers barely looked at the book. He's actually fairly thoughtful and I'd be surprised if he'd okay such a shoddy job after looking at it.

And even the pricing is dated, much (if not most) of it 2, 3, or even 4 years old.

So you really need the original Judd book, the Pollack book, and the Heritage pricing records.

By the way, do you collect patterns, too?

Cordially,


Just Having Fun!

RKKay

JHF: The Society of US Pattern Collectors also has auction prices realized.

Edited to add: You have to search for the specific Judd #.

Justhavingfun

RKK: Thank you for the lead to the Pattern Collectors Society. That looks like a great asset for a collector.

Cordially,


Just Having Fun!

RKKay

It's an invaluable site.