Well, I got my MPL set filled!!
Grasshopper
Posts: 174
Earlier mesage from Brian Wagner: "1912 PCGS PR66RB Eliasberg has now been sold to the Blake Acre collection. Congratulations to Duane for completing his MPL set at the show and moving from #18 to #9 in one swoop! Duane was also able to land his last coin needed at the show!! 1909 VDB MPL graded by PCGS as PR65RB in an "OGH" "with a little help from his friends" Way to go!!"
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The Beatles said it best: "with a little help from my friends!! I have learned that truly, no person is an island, and a coin collections can be vastly time and energy-consuming AND extremely expensive to build; One must have passion! And equally-so, without surrounding oneself with special people of integrity who care enough to assist in the effort, it becomes that much tougher to do. I can't even begin to thank all the people who encouraged and helped me to compile this full red-brown matte proof Lincoln collection set in less then 5 months, but you know exactly who you are - thank you - you all have my appreciation and respect. Things have been a whirlwind, so if I owe you a reply letter (as I do with many congratulatory folks), it will be on the way soon : )
With only 12 complete MPL sets now assembled in the Matte Proof Lincoln Registry (Tim Liston is retiring his), and only 3 of those sets actually completed in Red-Brown, obviously, a huge hand is lifted to toast my agent and friend Brian Wagner, "the Matte Man". I now realize that I made a wise move when I called Brian that day in March (Thank you Todd Imhof for the tip), and advise you all to do the same, if you have not already realized who Brian is, and what he does!
After Brian, thank you to all the people who have written, talked, taught me, been supportive, opened up their coins, books and knowledge to me, and are now congratulating me on obtaining a 1909 VDB PR65RB to complete my collection, while upgrading my 1912 with the purchase of a PR66 (Tim Liston’s Eliasberg specimen). I recently learned that while Mr. Eliasberg had an estimated 5 matte Lincoln cents in his vast collection, the 1912 was the only one that made the highest grade of PR66, and somehow, Tim Liston managed to get a hold of it. Great job, Tim!
Stewart, meeting you has been a pleasure - you have been a truly honest, caring and impressive man, and you might not know it, but your advice has been absorbed, and consequently you have taught me an enormous amount about this series. I guess us wrestlers think alike! : ). Todd, you are just way too far ahead of the curve : ) !! What's he next series to collect??
For me, the thought of having Louis Eliasberg, Stewart Blay, Jack Slattery, Alan Epstein, and Tim Liston pedigreed coins in my collection and the amazing advise I have received from numismatists like Brian Wagner, Todd Imhof, Stewart Blay, Ron Guth and Kevin Flynn (among many others) truly humbles me. And it has clearly accelerated the process of compiling a high-level and challenging collective series of coins. Thankfully, I only had to tackle 9 coins. Tim Liston has supported the pedigree idea from the beginning, and I thank you, Tim. I believe it is the one element of the collection that makes it unique and special. The team element, and the caliber of the collectors assembled, and advisors that have been a part of the collecting process. And on the idea of collections, my friend (a non-collector BUT professional actuarial!) looked at the numbers involved in the coins in this series, and the level of the coins collected, and told me that statistically, the odds of winning a lottery are greater then having compiling these coins in the this time frame! I went for eye appeal with the red-browns (NOT that Reds are not beautiful!), and for the most part, feel I have found success. This, in my eyes, is a pretty set. But his main point my freind made is that the rarity of a full set of matte proof Lincoln’s is staggering. I did not even bother him with the 1917 ; )
On the practical note, I do have some duplicate coins, so any collectors who may be interested in trading, selling or working together to have a coin included in the collection with these other well-recognized collectors, please feel free to contact me or Brian, as I would very much like the opportunity to include more of my fellow collectors in this set before I go through the formal pedigree and final grading process, which will be coming soon. It's an opportunity for anyone who wants to be a part of this collection and story to include themselves in the collection pedigree with their colleagues. Your name will travel with the set were ever it may go … for ever! If this interests you, please contact me, and I will work in any way I can to make that happen.
I will have photos of the VDB and 1912 taken and added to the collection to share with all when I get back to Boston.
By the way, congratulations to the new owner of the 1909VDB PR64 as well from the auction. I hope you truly enjoy your new coin. And congratulations to Jack Slattery for the new top Red Brown MPL Registry collection. Jack-you deserve it!
Sincerely,
Duane Blake
***********************
The Beatles said it best: "with a little help from my friends!! I have learned that truly, no person is an island, and a coin collections can be vastly time and energy-consuming AND extremely expensive to build; One must have passion! And equally-so, without surrounding oneself with special people of integrity who care enough to assist in the effort, it becomes that much tougher to do. I can't even begin to thank all the people who encouraged and helped me to compile this full red-brown matte proof Lincoln collection set in less then 5 months, but you know exactly who you are - thank you - you all have my appreciation and respect. Things have been a whirlwind, so if I owe you a reply letter (as I do with many congratulatory folks), it will be on the way soon : )
With only 12 complete MPL sets now assembled in the Matte Proof Lincoln Registry (Tim Liston is retiring his), and only 3 of those sets actually completed in Red-Brown, obviously, a huge hand is lifted to toast my agent and friend Brian Wagner, "the Matte Man". I now realize that I made a wise move when I called Brian that day in March (Thank you Todd Imhof for the tip), and advise you all to do the same, if you have not already realized who Brian is, and what he does!
After Brian, thank you to all the people who have written, talked, taught me, been supportive, opened up their coins, books and knowledge to me, and are now congratulating me on obtaining a 1909 VDB PR65RB to complete my collection, while upgrading my 1912 with the purchase of a PR66 (Tim Liston’s Eliasberg specimen). I recently learned that while Mr. Eliasberg had an estimated 5 matte Lincoln cents in his vast collection, the 1912 was the only one that made the highest grade of PR66, and somehow, Tim Liston managed to get a hold of it. Great job, Tim!
Stewart, meeting you has been a pleasure - you have been a truly honest, caring and impressive man, and you might not know it, but your advice has been absorbed, and consequently you have taught me an enormous amount about this series. I guess us wrestlers think alike! : ). Todd, you are just way too far ahead of the curve : ) !! What's he next series to collect??
For me, the thought of having Louis Eliasberg, Stewart Blay, Jack Slattery, Alan Epstein, and Tim Liston pedigreed coins in my collection and the amazing advise I have received from numismatists like Brian Wagner, Todd Imhof, Stewart Blay, Ron Guth and Kevin Flynn (among many others) truly humbles me. And it has clearly accelerated the process of compiling a high-level and challenging collective series of coins. Thankfully, I only had to tackle 9 coins. Tim Liston has supported the pedigree idea from the beginning, and I thank you, Tim. I believe it is the one element of the collection that makes it unique and special. The team element, and the caliber of the collectors assembled, and advisors that have been a part of the collecting process. And on the idea of collections, my friend (a non-collector BUT professional actuarial!) looked at the numbers involved in the coins in this series, and the level of the coins collected, and told me that statistically, the odds of winning a lottery are greater then having compiling these coins in the this time frame! I went for eye appeal with the red-browns (NOT that Reds are not beautiful!), and for the most part, feel I have found success. This, in my eyes, is a pretty set. But his main point my freind made is that the rarity of a full set of matte proof Lincoln’s is staggering. I did not even bother him with the 1917 ; )
On the practical note, I do have some duplicate coins, so any collectors who may be interested in trading, selling or working together to have a coin included in the collection with these other well-recognized collectors, please feel free to contact me or Brian, as I would very much like the opportunity to include more of my fellow collectors in this set before I go through the formal pedigree and final grading process, which will be coming soon. It's an opportunity for anyone who wants to be a part of this collection and story to include themselves in the collection pedigree with their colleagues. Your name will travel with the set were ever it may go … for ever! If this interests you, please contact me, and I will work in any way I can to make that happen.
I will have photos of the VDB and 1912 taken and added to the collection to share with all when I get back to Boston.
By the way, congratulations to the new owner of the 1909VDB PR64 as well from the auction. I hope you truly enjoy your new coin. And congratulations to Jack Slattery for the new top Red Brown MPL Registry collection. Jack-you deserve it!
Sincerely,
Duane Blake
0
Comments
NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!!
working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
RIP "BEAR"
My Ebay
1934-1958 RB Lincoln Short Set
Duane,
Thank you very much, brother, for mentioning me in your post. I am humbled by it.
Congratulations on finishing your set. It's a thing of beauty and a great accomplishment. I hope you keep it intact and enjoy it for many years.
Although I haven't met you in person yet, I've enjoyed the phone conversations and the PMs and e-mails. Perhaps we'll get to meet in L.A. next year.
Jack
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
Congratulations!
Quite the accomplishment with some absolutely beautiful coins!
Mark
ps - What is next on your agenda?
Mark's Mattes
Mark's Cameo SMS Set
Mark's Non-Cameo SMS Set
I also share in congratulating you on your remarkable accomplishment. I'm sure your father must be proud looking down on you! Stay well my friend.
Regards,
Jonathan
I had a ball in Baltimore and while a MPL set may be numerically small, we all know what it takes to fill it! So I got lucky. This was a group effort. Brian Wagner has been an awesome agent and especially friend, and many people beyond my ability to list have contributed to help make this set a reality.
And of course, I want to thank my banker, as well. Fourth and fifth mortgages are not easy to secure in this economy! But when one makes a commitment like I did, I figured that I had better deliver. No one wants to make their Father mad!!
I just returned home from Baltimore, where I was lucky enough to meet many decent and interesting people. I realized that we are all a part of a big very cool fraternity, and I found out that the collector community is full of very special people. Everyone has their own reason for doing what they do, and they are mostly very open to tell you why they are in the game. I found out I am by no means alone.....
And everyone I came across was generous and accommodating at the show, and the most experienced collectors I met were the same ones who would really take time and try to help and share their knowledge and experiences with me. It was quite a time, and I'm now going to just enjoy the set for a little while, and then decide which way to go. All suggestions welcome. I will get photos in the empty spots and welcome all comments.
Thank you all again, my MPL brothers and sisters. As always, I am available if anyone needs assistance or ever wants to just talk coins.
Sincerely,
Duane
NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!!
working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
RIP "BEAR"
<< <i>Anyone have a pic of grasshopper in the MPL lesiure suit and hat strolling the isles at the ANA show??? Come on post them. >>
I saw him in it earlier in the day -- it was shimmering green and violet pastels as he walked ....
It was fun meeting you! I'm sure this will be one show you will never forget!
Congrats on a complete set. That is quite an accomplishment!!!!
Knowledge is the enemy of fear