The Numismatist 'Birth of the Blue Folder'

ECHOES · December 10, 2020 2:02PM

Being a collector of these Folders, as well as other products by Whitman,
I found this article to be very informative, I am always on the look out for
the older folders as well as the Bookshelf Albums. My collection is rather
small compared to the Author, but fun non-the-less.
Check it out...

Tom147 · December 10, 2020 2:04PM

My 1st " blue folder " was purchased for me by my father in 1964. Lincoln Cents. I still have it. Good read. Thank you for posting.

Smudge · December 10, 2020 2:07PM

My avatar says it all. How I started in the early 60’s.

ECHOES · December 10, 2020 2:17PM

@Tom147 said:
My 1st " blue folder " was purchased for me by my father in 1964. Lincoln Cents. I still have it. Good read. Thank you for posting.

Yes, my first 'Blue Folder' was purchased by my Dad as well, 1974/5, Lincoln Cents.
I still have the folder too...

Cameonut · December 10, 2020 2:25PM

Still have my blue folders. Lincoln cents vol 1 & 2. Indian cents. Canadian cents (common in change in Wisconsin at the time). Jeffersons. All given to me circa 1960 or 1961. Even got one as a trick or treat offering from someone in the neighborhood that worked at Whitman publishing.

DBSTrader2 · December 10, 2020 2:25PM

I started collecting Lincoln pennies & Jefferson nickels in blue Whitman folders in the early 60's, with the encouragement of my grandparents. Over the years/decades, I expanded my collection to include more denominations, earlier & subsequent series, & foreign coins (Canada/Newfoundland/Types, Mexico, Great Britain, Australia, & New Zealand), never straying to albums or other brands (unless Whitman folders were unavailable). I still have each and every one of my original folders!

I was also lucky enough in the past decade to have been asked by another Forum member who works in that division at Whitmans to help review proofs & make pre-printing suggestions for enhancements/revisions to upcoming new releases of several denominations of Canadian folders. THAT was a really cool & gratifying experience, especially to see the results in their final product!

Not as my icon, but a Whitman-blue-folder fan for life!!

yosclimber · December 10, 2020 2:37PM

Thanks - interesting stuff.
Would you mind posting the prior pages in the article?
I am curious as to what exactly defines a first edition folder.

I have a Silver Three Cent folder which has the lighter blue color,
but the list of titles is 25 instead of 22.
The title list does include "Morgan Dime".

I have slightly newer ones which have a darker blue color,
still with no title on the spine,
but the title list is up to about 86, including Canadian.
I imagine these are Second Edition or later.

I found this article by David Lange which I think answers my questions about the different editions.

Whitman’s First Edition of blue folders was produced for just one-and-a-half years before wartime paper shortages forced a transition to cheaper, less attractive materials. Only 22 titles were included in the line during this edition, which is distinguished by glossy, leatherette covers, and jet black backing paper.

https://coinweek.com/coins/supplies/whitman-coin-folders-as-collectible-items/

CaptHenway · December 10, 2020 2:38PM

Bought my first blue folder, Lincoln cents #2, for 19 cents at Woolworths. Probably 1963 as I had a job that summer delivering advertising flyers twice a week for $1 per delivery.

Smudge · December 10, 2020 2:47PM

Do NOT use them for zinc cents.

ECHOES · December 10, 2020 2:48PM

@yosclimber said:
Thanks - interesting stuff.
Would you mind posting the prior pages in the article?
I am curious as to what exactly defines a first edition folder.

I have a Silver Three Cent folder which has the lighter blue color,
but the list of titles is 25 instead of 21.
The title list does include "Morgan Dime".

I have slightly newer ones which have a darker blue color,
still with no title on the spine,
but the title list is up to about 86, including Canadian.
I imagine these are Second Edition or later.

I found this article by David Lange which I think answers my questions about the different editions.

Whitman’s First Edition of blue folders was produced for just one-and-a-half years before wartime paper shortages forced a transition to cheaper, less attractive materials. Only 22 titles were included in the line during this edition, which is distinguished by glossy, leatherette covers, and jet black backing paper.

https://coinweek.com/coins/supplies/whitman-coin-folders-as-collectible-items/

koynekwest · December 10, 2020 4:59PM

First one-Lincoln Cents, Vol 2 in the summer of 1961.

ricko · December 11, 2020 8:34AM

I have no idea when I acquired my first blue folder.... many, many years ago. Have a few, but never really built on album sets.... I still look at them, about once every couple of years. Cheers, RickO

The Numismatist 'Birth of the Blue Folder'

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