A shared numismatic book seen on David Hall's bookshelf RE: The Franklin Hoard
northcoin
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I just noticed while rewatching David Hall's currently PCGS website featured video clip on the subject of the newly PCGS holdered 1861-P Paquet Reverse $20 gold Liberty, that just above David's hand on his bookshelf was a unique numismatic book that I have in my own collection.
The book is Karl Moulton's tome titled, "John J. Ford, Jr. and The 'Franklin Hoard'." (Incidentally the book includes a credited photo I took of die making tools and dies which is located at page 267.)
Definitely an interesting book complete with lots of historical information and now preserved for posterity documents that delve into detail regarding the Franklin Hoard as well as the numismatic history relating to the individual items contained in it.
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"The book is Karl Moulton's tome titled, "John J. Ford, Jr. and The 'Franklin Hoard'." (Incidentally the book includes a credited photo I took of die making tools and dies which is located at page 267.)"
That book caused quite a stir in the numismatic community.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
It is noted, that although the subject of this week's video clip has now changed, Karl Moulton's book retains its place of prominence on the bookshelf near David Hall.
I do not have that book...I shall look for it.... Cheers, RickO
It is quite heavy and, in places, seems more like a scrapbook (with letters, etc. reproduced). Ford was probably the most polarizing post-WWII dealer, and he amassed a HUGE collection of pieces that he liked to say comprised things not in the Red Book. The Stack's auctions (24 of them!) are well known, but there were quite a few others too. This book prompted more comments and full book reviews (by Tom DeLorey, John Adams, QD Bowers, ....) than just about any other that I know about, excluding issues of the Red Book. It is worth reading in conjunction with the recent biography of EP Newman, who was probably the one person whose opinion really mattered to Ford and who was an adversary.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
I read that back cover to cover and found it fascinating. Easily my no. 1 favorite numismatic book. It is an incredible look at the complex set of misdeeds Ford perpetrated on some prominent members of the numismatic community in the fifties -seventies and the uncomfortable place some others occupied as onlookers, enablers and defenders.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
Very informative post---thank you!
I just read a review of this book to get an idea as to what it is. The review stated that John J. Ford was exceptionally persuasive and was able to lie and cheat to get good coins (or even sell bad ones) as well as tell stories to sell something that would bury the buyer. A truly "caveat emptor". The review also quotes a story about John J's father trying to knowingly counterfeit and sell us currency.
Now I have no evidence other than what I just read and I have never met the man and dont really know anything about him. However, I remember watching the J. Ford vs David hall debate on youtube when pcgs first began grading and JJf was anti pcgs because he said people will stop learning and coins will become more of a business and not a hobby. While he was correct in many things- I enjoyed his statement about people not learning about the hobby. After reading this review it made me rethink my opinion and that it appears he wanted to keep the knowledge for himself so he could continue to dupe people.
If there is contrary evidence please someone present it.
@ricko: The book is very expensive (I forget the precise price because I bought it a few years ago but it's several hundred dollars). However, I found it worth absolutely every dollar. It is well written and an exceptionally fascinating read. It made a compelling case that John Ford was, at best, ethically challenged and it certainly changed my opinion about buying items that were from his collection.
@Mark.....Thanks for the information.... We have several old book shops and antique shops around here, so I will browse them... I have often found great buys this way..... Cheers, RickO
A couple of good reviews of this book:
JW Adams, in The Asylum 31(4): 196 -199
T DeLorey, in COINage 49(11): 10 – 17
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]