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(Book) I have never understood why...

BillDugan1959BillDugan1959 Posts: 3,821 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited December 16, 2017 11:56AM in U.S. Coin Forum

I have never understood why this excellent book never made it past the second edition! It is an excellent book, a wealth of information.

Of course, it was edited by Capt Henway and his frequent collaborator, Mr. Alexander.

Just received two brand new copies for $5 each, postpaid! Now it should be easier to find than my single AWOL copy that I have used for many years.

Second edition (1998) and unfortunately it must have been the last. 590 pages.

Comments

  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 16, 2017 12:20PM

    Money losing venture...?

  • BillDugan1959BillDugan1959 Posts: 3,821 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Been involved in a few of those kind of ventures myself, but it's a great great book.

  • LoveMyLibertyLoveMyLiberty Posts: 1,784 ✭✭✭

    I have the exact same book and refer to it often.
    Lots of facts, lists, etc.
    Thank you Captain.

    My Type Set

    R.I.P. Bear image
  • TommyTypeTommyType Posts: 4,586 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It's probably like creating a new cell phone, and marketing it against an iPhone. Even if it's better than the iPhone, you will probably never convert enough buyers to take over the market.

    (In this case, your "iPhone" is Whitman's "Red Book".)

    Easily distracted Type Collector
  • Insider2Insider2 Posts: 14,452 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 17, 2017 8:30AM

    I thought I had a good library of reference books. Unfortunately, I never heard of this one. The authors know their stuff. Thanks for your post, now I and several hundred folks will be looking for a copy!

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Yep... this is one I do not have in my library.... will be searching the book (and antique) shops for this one... Cheers, RickO

  • CoinosaurusCoinosaurus Posts: 9,645 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I refer to my copy often. It's sort of the almanac of American numismatics.

  • BillDugan1959BillDugan1959 Posts: 3,821 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 17, 2017 8:13AM

    @Coinosaurus said:
    I refer to my copy often. It's sort of the almanac of American numismatics.

    This book Is NOT to be confused with the old Coin World Almanacs, which went through about six editions years ago. They are two different animals.

    This book is indeed more of a 'Red Book' style, but with a lot more information than the Red Book of that era. There is a valuable section on pattern coins too.

    I just stumbled across this book, about five years after this second printing, and I was very favorably surprised.

  • AotearoaAotearoa Posts: 1,578 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The book is widely available (Amazon, Abe Books, etc). Have yet to find a reasonable postage rate however...

    Smitten with DBLCs.

  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,920 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Creative differences. I wanted to say "Catalogue," and they insisted on "Catalog."

    Bottom line, the numismatic newspaper market was contracting rather severely at the time (look at an issue of Coin World from the 1980's vs. one today), and they either did not have or did not want to spend the money necessary to promote the book.

    TD

    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,920 ✭✭✭✭✭

    And thank you all for the kind words.

    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • OnastoneOnastone Posts: 4,170 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What year is the 2nd edition? It's tough when books like this need to constantly update and add new coinage, and everybody wants the newest, most complete version.

  • TreashuntTreashunt Posts: 6,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    good done, I missed it

    Frank

    BHNC #203

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