Q. David Bowers' Autobiography
Sonorandesertrat
Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭✭✭
I have something like 65 of Dave Bowers' books, and he makes it difficult to keep up. I just pre-ordered a copy of his autobiography: "My Life in Rare Coins. And Other Adventures"--it's due in a couple of months. I am waiting with baited (sic) breath. Anybody else got a spare $100 to splurge on a book? It might make a nice devotional display in your home, sure to impress guests (if they are all coin nerds).
Member: EAC, NBS, C4, CWTS, ANA
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
3
Comments
Sounds interesting, but as I too, already have a number of his books, I doubt there is a whole lot more to learn about QDB’s wonderful career. But I could be wrong!
Where did you order? I'd be in for one. I love me some Dave Bowers
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Amazon.com. Another Forum member wrote the foreword.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
Looks like it was set to debut at the ANA....
Nice.
@Sonorandesertrat.... Just exactly what did you 'bait' your breath with?
Just teasing... I know you meant 'bated'...Just an early morning chuckle. Cheers, RickO
I hope it's an insightful look at his formula for becoming a successful businessman and scholar, as that would be a fascinating read.
Commems and Early Type
We hope and it doesn't get cancelled it should be a good read
Crow, of course.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
I heard him speak at the ANA several years ago and it was terrific. Lots of specific advise. Even if some of the book was a repeat of his talk it wouldnt bother me since you tend to forget to forget quite a bit from a lecture.
Thanks for making this thread. Hands down, one of my favorite authors. Can't wait for it to arrive!
How long has this book been in the works? I seem to remember hearing of something with this working title many years ago.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
I'll order one. If he would name names for all the crooks, doctors, etc. he's seen I'd pay $1,000 or more. Of course, he'd likely want to sell that posthumously. If he kept notes on all that stuff, his personal correspondence will be something someday. I sincerely pray he doesn't destroy that material.
I bet this would be a good read and would love to get a copy. I love reading his book "Abe Kosoff: Dean of Numismatics". I wonder how many others could do an auto-biography?
These silver and bronze medals were issued by the ANS to honor him in 2010. These are both from the Richard Jewell collection with the silver being edge marked #001. I bid pretty strong on the silver but missed out.
The Jewell specimens seemed to sell for strong prices:
A previous bronze in NGC MS66 sold for just $35 in 2019.
Issue price was $140/$155 for silver and and $25/$35 for members/non-members.
" I wonder how many others could do an auto-biography?"
You aren't the only one. The question is whether they would. I would be interested in candid autobiographies by Laura Sperber, 'Colonel Jessup', Julian Leidman, Jerry Bobbe, etc.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
I would love it if they all did. Two others include @FredWeinberg and Mike @Byers
I have some Bowers pieces and Byers / Leidman piece that I'd love to know more about too.
Not really related to his autobiography, but one little story to share. I was at the Baltimore show on my 18th birthday when I ran into QDB at a random table. I said hi, and when it came out that it was my birthday, he walked me across the floor to the Whitman table, told me to choose a book of his, and gave it to me, signed, of course. It's always nice when someone in a high place is as good at being a person as they are in their field of work.
Can second that sentiment. QDB was very generous in giving me a credit in one of his books after I had sent him my unique 1850 $20 Double Eagle (the one that had been described as a proof in the Longacre estate auction) to examine and from another occasion I will treasure the personal correspondence received from him in his taking the time out of his busy schedule to respond.
I got to meet and briefly chat with him at the last ANA in Philly.
He seemed to light up a bit when he learned we both are from NE Pennsylvania and we graduated from the same university, lol.
I'm also very familiar with the town where he had Empire Coin Company and he was current regarding the local economy and business.
Meeting him that day is something I won't forget.
This is my pic of his old business as it looked a few years ago.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
Amazon canceled my pre-order this morning. Book was originally slated for release in August.
Yes I just heard he has several books in development and pulling him in different directions, so none are done.
My QDB story was I was walking from the hotel at a Baltimore show next to him and had some books in my hand. He asked what I had, I told him one of the books was the Numismatists from 1895, and he told me the articles in that volume that he liked...and yes I checked, and yes he was right.
I am interested in this book but @$100, this is why I don't buy coin related books that don't have practical information directly related to what I collect. I'd rather spend my entertainment money elsewhere and allocate my collecting budget to coins or references directly related to my collecting.
WCC I kind of agree with you in that I don't have a lot of books not specifically related to my collection, but QDB is a man/author/numismatist I have always admired and thought of as " THE MAN " I believe I'll drop a $ 100 on this.
An amazing person in person and his books are great. I can't wait to read it.
Best, SH
I would splurge.
How many forum members are in the autobiography?
Has anyone heard an update on this? I was really hoping it would've released this year after being delayed all last year.
If any of the forum members who are attending the whitman/Baltimore Convention this weekend could they ask at the Whitman booth?
I asked @Namvet69 to ask the Whitman folks about this. He is attending the Whitman/Baltimore show.
Namvet69 said that he received my message about the QDB autobiography too late. You can read the message on one of the Baltimore links on the main forum.