Is there such a thing within the hobby community as a "whale polloi"?
Dentuck
Posts: 3,820 ✭✭✭
Longacre lightly tapped the tip of his goose-feather quill against his chin and, finally, after much thought, dipped its nib into the crystal jar of Imperial India Octopus Ink on his hand-burnished burlwood writing desk.
We have all heard of the so-called Numismatic Whale. . . . he began.
"No, no," he thought to himself. "Not quite right. Let's try again."
He carefully rolled a velveteen blotter over the still-drying ink, and handed the page of vellum to Consuelo, who stood at the ready with cigars and brandy. "File this under P, Paper, U, Used, L, Lightly," he said. "The children can make an origami aeroplane out of it."
Consuelo took the sheet of paper and turned to the delicate antique filing cabinet, rolling his eyes.
"I saw that," Longacre growled without turning his attention from the desk. "Otro papel, por favor."
Consuelo slid a fresh sheet of vellum under the impatiently hovering quill.
Within the numismatic fraternity, there are Whales and there are Hoi Polloi, Longacre wrote in a flowing cursive. Everyone knows of these two classifications. But among the former, are there further divisions? He paused for just a moment to catch his breath and relieve a cramped index finger. And if so, could the lower strata be classified as "Whale Polloi"?
Longacre sighed, sat back into his overstuffed writing chair, and handed the paper to Consuelo. "Read this back to me, then type it up, then have the typewritten page sent over to Information Services and posted on the CU board."
We have all heard of the so-called Numismatic Whale. . . . he began.
"No, no," he thought to himself. "Not quite right. Let's try again."
He carefully rolled a velveteen blotter over the still-drying ink, and handed the page of vellum to Consuelo, who stood at the ready with cigars and brandy. "File this under P, Paper, U, Used, L, Lightly," he said. "The children can make an origami aeroplane out of it."
Consuelo took the sheet of paper and turned to the delicate antique filing cabinet, rolling his eyes.
"I saw that," Longacre growled without turning his attention from the desk. "Otro papel, por favor."
Consuelo slid a fresh sheet of vellum under the impatiently hovering quill.
Within the numismatic fraternity, there are Whales and there are Hoi Polloi, Longacre wrote in a flowing cursive. Everyone knows of these two classifications. But among the former, are there further divisions? He paused for just a moment to catch his breath and relieve a cramped index finger. And if so, could the lower strata be classified as "Whale Polloi"?
Longacre sighed, sat back into his overstuffed writing chair, and handed the paper to Consuelo. "Read this back to me, then type it up, then have the typewritten page sent over to Information Services and posted on the CU board."
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Comments
Now that must be the best darn writing I have seen on these boards. Is there other Dentuckisms one could explore?
His eyes? Hmmm.... makes ya wonder...good essay BTW I like the P,U,L...
K
Edited to add additional Text (ETAAT)
Rich!
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
Kind of reminds you of the legend of Coinalot, don't it?
Obscurum per obscurius
Well? Is there?
Is there anything on this planet lower than "Whale Polloi"?
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
On a related matter, I played golf at an uber-exclusive country club the other day. The club had a "men's-only grill", which was essentially this spectacular man-cave. It had big screen TVs, its own bar and waiter, overstuffed leather chairs, cigars, its own food service, and other man-preferred amenities. I thought these types of rooms were banned, and even in the vast Longacre Estate, Mrs. Longacre is not prohibited from entering any of the rooms or antechambers.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Longacre quickly set the early copper auction catalog aside and roused himself from the depths of his overstuffed writing chair as his better half strode into the dignified sanctity of the quiet room. He could easily ascertain the arrival of a momentous no nonsense moment.
"Just what is this I hear of your being seen yesterday inside the Men's-Only Grill? I was under the impression you were being driven to Uber-Exclusive to play a round of golf?" Mrs. Longacre smiled sweetly but Longacre detected the presence of an icy cold Margaret Thatcher style determination behind her steely eyes.
[Five minutes snipped to preserve Mr. Longacre's dignity]
"Yes, dear. You're right, dear. I assure you it won't happen again, dear. Did you say Tiffany's is having a Labor Day sale? Do you need anything new for the party next week?"
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
<< <i>Longacre quickly set the early copper auction catalog aside and roused himself from the depths of his overstuffed writing chair as his better half strode into the dignified sanctity of the quiet room. He could easily ascertain the arrival of a momentous no nonsense moment.
"Just what is this I hear of your being seen yesterday inside the "men's-only grill? I was under the impression you were driven to Uber-Exclusive to play a round of golf?" Mrs. Longacre smiled sweetly but Longacre could easily detect the presence of an icy cold Margaret Thatcher style determination behind her steely eyes.
[Five minutes snipped to preserve Mr. Longacre's dignity]
"Yes, dear. You're right dear. I assure you it won't happen again dear. Did you say Tiffany's is having a Labor Day sale? Do you need anything new for the party next week?" >>
I doubt Longacre would mingle with the lower humans at a Tiffany's sale just to save a few bucks. As a mater of fact, I think it would be to his liking to spend MORE for an item...because he can! "What's that dear?...your gold plated diamonds?...Have them cleaned...surely you jest!!!! Just have Consuelo fetch you a new set..."