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Question for the Ole Timers...
Broadstruck
Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
Does anyone remember a dealers name from the New England states that looked and dressed like Abraham Lincoln top hat and all?
I'm not talking about Jay Cline as this fellow was much taller & lanky with a no mustache beard just like Lincoln.
Active about 30 years ago and maybe from Connecticut?
To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
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I've seen this guy at big shows like FUN and ANA, but I don't think he is a dealer and I don't know his name.
Not much help am I.
Your probably thinking of Jay Cline (below) who always did FUN since he was from Florida.
Not Jay Cline - I remember the guy you mean,
but haven't seen him at a FUN or ANA in
many years.
for PCGS. A 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022
No, this was a guy that looked just like Abe and dressed in the same time period clothes. Cline didn't really look like Abe.
Okay so we all know the guy just not his name.
I also remember he bought a Victorian mansion and converted it into a retail coin & antique store.
Dennis Boggs was the Abe Lincoln impersonator at the January 2014 FUN show when I was there. He has been at others also. Here is a video of him at the 2009? FUN show.
. Is he who you might be thinking of?
it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide
Thanks but the guy I'm trying to remember wasn't a Lincoln impersonator, but a coin dealer that looked like a Lincoln impersonator.
This is the guy I was thinking of.
His wife was a very petite Asian woman who worked behind the table in normal clothes.
I'm not sure if I am thinking of the same dealer as you describe, but there was a dealer from Springfield, MA, Robert Cornell, who used to do the northeast regional coin shows, although I have not seen him in a while. He is tall and has a short beard, and I believe that his wife, who often assists him at shows, is Asian. I do not recall Robert ever consciously impersonating Abe Lincoln, but thinking back I can see how someone could think that he looked a bit like old Abe. I may be totally off the wall on this, but he is the only coin dealer from New England that I can think of who looks a bit like Lincoln (other than Dennis Boggs who we have eliminated).
I agree with MrHalfDime, it sounds like Robert Cornell.
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
Thanks it was Robert Cornell as that name rings a bell. I thought of him this morning posting on Lincoln commem thread as I bought one from him and walked away thinking how cool it was buying a Lincoln from a dealer that looked just like him. I was 17 then and that was one of my first few out of state shows driving. Both he and his wife where extremely YN friendly.
You are most welcome, my friend. Glad to be of service .... even though you referred to me as an 'ole timer'. I don't know if RichieURich considers himself as an 'ole timer', or maybe he and I are just the only ones foolish enough to respond to such a setup.
Sorry I just meant veterans in the hobby or seasoned collectors since my question was from 3 decades ago.
Abuse reported
No offense taken. I was just yankin your chain.
"Seasoned Collector" ... that sounds nice. So much better than "Ole Timer". I hope that they won't go too hard on you, now that your abuse has been reported.
I first bought a coin from Robert Cornell at a Maine Numismatic Association show back in 1989, and continued buying coins from him until 2000, which was probably the last time I saw him. He was a regular at the Baystate Coin Show in Boston for many years. I always found him to be accommodating and friendly, and enjoyed my relationship with him.
Probably the latter. I bought several coins from Robert Cornell, the one I remember most is an 1839 Gobrecht dollar in an ANACS "repaired" holder, but I can't see the repair. Nice coin, still have it.
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
Hey... I worked long and hard to earn the title of 'ole timer', and expect to wear it for a long time to come....
Since I have it on excellent authority that I am not getting any younger (says my wife).... 
Cheers, RickO
Well, I started working for Coin World in 1973, so I guess I qualify as an old timer.
RE: "... I just meant...seasoned collectors...3 decades ago."
Hmmm.....I'm not sure what type of seasoning was used on collectors 30 years ago. The last event I attended, the catering staff were using catsup, mustard, pepper and excess salt. Maybe one of the Denver restaurants served collectors with much more interesting seasonings. A good char is supposed to help.