ANR Catalogs

Longacre

Does anyone know who writes most of the ANR auction catalogs? They are normally well written, and I would think that no one person writes the whole thing and it is probably broken down into parts based on a person's expertise. Also, while I am asking, does anyone know the primary writer(s) for the Heritage catalogs? Thanks.

kieferscoins

<< <i>Frank Van Valen, our Senior Numismatist, is one of America’s best known numismatic personalities. Widely praised for over two decades for his numismatic cataloguing, Frank’s byline has appeared in dozens of the most important catalogues ever written including the Norweb Collection sale and specialized collections, like the Texas Collection of California Fractional Gold and the historic coin collection of Commodore Matthew C. Perry. Frank has contributed to the last 15 editions of A Guide Book of United States Coins and his writing talents have earned him the recognition of the Numismatic Literary Guild. Frank has an expert understanding of the intricacies of all American coinage in addition to many other numismatic fields. Frank is also a licensed auctioneer who can be seen in action selling coins at all of our major sales. >>







<< <i>John J. Kraljevich, Jr., serves as our Director of Numismatic Research. A numismatic prodigy since preadolescence, John’s insightful and historical contributions to our catalogues add value and interest to numismatic material in our sales. An expert on early American coinage, Numismatic Americana, and the technical aspects of minting technology, John has taught seminars hosted by the American Numismatic Association, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and is a columnist in the ANA magazine, The Numismatist. The Numismatic Literary Guild recognized John’s cataloguing of the Lucien LaRiviere Collection, the first $1 million collection of American medals ever sold at auction, with its highest cataloging award for tokens and medals. A frequent consultant to museums and institutions, John catalogues many of our important offerings and enjoys working directly with our consignors. John was a recent recipient of the ANA’s coveted Heath Literary Award for an article on the coins of pre-federal New York, and serves as an officer of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society and the Medal Collectors of America. >>



They are both board members here. Dave Bowers also writes descriptions. See the whole ANR team Here

Cameron Kiefer

JadeRareCoin

The forum's very own Pistareen (John Kraljevich) does a lot of ANR's catalog work, so I am told. I would assume that Frank Van Valen and Q. David Bowers work on the catalogs as well. .......and you are correct, ANR's catalogs are well written and top-of-the-line.

Can't help you with the Heritage question.

RKKay

Frank is extremely knowledgeable, and John is a veritable walking encyclopedia. He knows EVERYTHING.

Shamika

I knew Pistareen was John Kraljevich, but what is Frank Van Valen's username?

Pistareen

I guess I'm qualified to answer this question ...

Frank Van Valen writes a greater proportion of the catalogue than any of us, including all the Seated and Barber material and most of the popular series (Mercurys, Buffaloes, Walkers, Morgans, small cents, etc.)

Dave Bowers writes a substantial percentage also -- this time he did some Proof type, double eagles, a lot of patterns, and some other things. Of course, Dave also contributes his own special notes and stories to many of the descriptions.

John Pack generally does currency and sometimes helps write up a few other things.

I catalogue colonials, early copper, most early type (half dimes through early gold), exonumia, and a few odds and ends. I contribute some research to Frank and Dave's descriptions of various rare items and things with long pedigrees.

Depending upon work load, this can shift on any given catalogue. It's really a team effort -- on some pieces, each of the three of us contribute something to a given description.

RYK

John,

Thanks for the answer. You guys are awesome. Keep up the good work!

Robert

Longacre

John K-- thanks for your answer. This was exactly what I was looking for. I find it interesting to learn what goes on behind the scenes at the various firms.

OldUncleUhUh

Hey, neat discussion. I'm more or less the workhorse at ANR when catalogue time comes around. Not because my style or knowledge is finer than that of any of my fine colleagues—far from it. It's mainly because I have a well-rounded background in all things Red Book-ish. As a kid I couldn't really afford great coins, but I could read the Red Book every year, cover-to-cover, and this old coin weenie still does just that...as a 16 year contributor I have to! An old colleague once told me the only thing I had going for me was that I've memorized the Red Book...if that's the only thing I have going for me in numismatics then I guess I've done okay. Seriously, I do the small cents through gold as a rule, with patterns and territorials also on my plate. I do a large quantity of cataloguing, but mainly the things that roll off the tongue so to speak, where speed and accuracy are a factor. Pistareen does the colonials (which I also did in another lifetime at another company before the young wunderkind came along), half cents and large cents, and most US issues pre-1838 (I do the rest, copper, silver, gold, post-1838 or so). But like JK points out, we ALL do our share. If I'm weighted down by sheer volume of lots, JK, John Pack, and QDB all dive right in selflessly...that, my friends, is how a TEAM operates...we have no superstars (but no shortage of "superstar" names!) here, which sets us apart from many other ego-laden catalogue houses. We share our knowledge selflessly and we all benefit from it. This time around, QDB did $20s and patterns, for instance, and next time it might be an early dollar group or a large selection of territorials for him. We also have a hidden treasure that no one outside of W'boro, NH knows, and that's my pal Beth Piper. She does EVERY multiple lot in the sale regardless of denomination, and in her nearly 20 years working for QDB she has gained a lot of knowledge, as well as respect from all of us. I am extremely fortunate in that I work with the finest numismatic staff in coins today, and possibly one of the finest teams ever assembled, period! I am proud to be one of the ANR coin geeks, and the satisfaction I derive from my job is great comfort to me both personally and professionally. Dave, John K, John P, and Beth (and the rest of the non-numos at ANR), I salute all of you for being my friends, my colleagues, and for being the type of people who don't think it's strange that I know who designed the Booker T. Washington half dollar without having to look in the Red Boook...hahaha.

Shamika

OldUncleUhUh,

16 posts in 15 months! We sure would like it if you lurked less and commented more.

By the way, I love your articles in the back of the ANR periodical.

oreville

Frank:

Where in the heck did you pick up that OldUncleUhUh name?

Oh by the way, better get your daughter to put in a picture for you here. She is the best!