False alarm...Byron Reed exhibit to be "dismantled"?

CoinHusker

Well, I had the following email forwarded to me about an upcoming Lincoln coin club field trip to see the Byron Reed collection here in Omaha. It was the last sentence that caught my attention.



<< <i>A Very Special NumismaticEvent!

Larry Lee, program chairman of the Lincoln Coin Clubhas put together a very special numismatic happening for September!

Instead of our regular monthly meeting the club has rented alarge bus for September 2 so members and guests can see the amazing display ofByron Reed’s

coin collection at the DurhamWestern HeritageMuseum in Omaha’s old Union Train Station.

The bus trip is free to members and their guests, the onlycharge will be dinner and admission (senior rate) to the museum.

We will be visiting the museum first for about two hours,then have dinner and be back in Lincolnabout 10:00 PM.

We will gather at the Piedmont Shopping Centerat 1265 South Cotner Blvd.in front of the Coinery on Tuesday September 2. The bus will leave at4:30 PM.

Because the museum will be dismantling the Byron Reed exhibit very soon, this may be you last chance to view the collection and exhibit. >>



I already have emails into the museum's curator and a city councilman (who is a collector) to get the low down on this. If it turns out to be true, it will be a real hit to the numismatic community here in Omaha and truthfully throughout the country. Hopefully, I will be able to garner some support from the fine collectors here and various numismatic organizations around the country to write the powers that be to reconsider.

I'll keep you all posted on what I find out.

Link to Byron Reed exhibit

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UPDATE:

I just received an email from the city councilman I know, who also is a collector and this is his response:



<< <i>Mitch,



I have checked with Councilman Vokal, who is on the Western Heritage Board, and Leo Smith the director of the museum and there is absolutely NO truth that the collection is being removed, downsized, sold or anything else. That was a false statement. >>




That's good news for us here in Omaha, sorry Andy.

291fifth

Smithsonian II ?

boiler78

Unbelievable!! Sounds like the inmates are running the asylum in Omaha these days!! I can't imagine a more significant collection in the museums holdings and they are talking about taking the exhibit down? Unless the museum is closing its doors for good, how can they justify this action?

I thought the justification for selling part of the collection several years back was to use the proceeds to fund a permanent display?

CoinHusker

<< <i>
I thought the justification for selling part of the collection several years back was to use the proceeds to fund a permanent display? >>




You're right Mark. That was the story then, but that was then and this is now. Hopefully the email was incorrect and as I said, I'll keep everyone filled in on what I find out.



edit to correct spelling.

RWB

“Collections” of similar things – stamps, coins, fossils, paintings, sculpture, etc. – do not draw the interest and attention of most museum attendees like they once did. They are no longer novel, unusual or exotic. Most people are interested in large scale, integrated exhibits that make broad (sometimes misleading) statements, or that wiggle and make noises. Interest in details is low, so only specialists come to see a particular collection. Even something as spectacular as a room filled with gold coins, is good for only an initial, momentary “Ooooh and Ahhhhh” from visitors, who then wander off to gape at the animated dinosaur exhibit.

Nearly all of the world’s great numismatic collections are accessible only for research. Token bits are on public display accompanied by outdated or incorrect identification.

notlogical

Did you feel that?!

It was Byron Reed turning over in his grave.

MrEureka

Sounds like it will be another great auction!

CoinHusker

for the update

RWB

Good update. Wonder where Larry Lee got his info, or was it simply misunderstood?

Coinosaurus

<< <i>“Collections” of similar things – stamps, coins, fossils, paintings, sculpture, etc. – do not draw the interest and attention of most museum attendees like they once did. They are no longer novel, unusual or exotic. Most people are interested in large scale, integrated exhibits that make broad (sometimes misleading) statements, or that wiggle and make noises. Interest in details is low, so only specialists come to see a particular collection. Even something as spectacular as a room filled with gold coins, is good for only an initial, momentary “Ooooh and Ahhhhh” from visitors, who then wander off to gape at the animated dinosaur exhibit.

Nearly all of the world’s great numismatic collections are accessible only for research. Token bits are on public display accompanied by outdated or incorrect identification. >>



The Mint cabinet drew them in bigtime in the 19th century (I mean like hundreds of thousands of visitors). Clearly the public taste has evolved......or devolved depending on how you look at it. The only reason people go to the Mint now is to see the big machinery in action.

MidLifeCrisis

Whew!

coindeuce

notlogical - is that a jackalope running behind Reed's marker? Omen.