What well known collector / dealer in numismatic history would you like to know more about?

Books have been written about Eliasberg, Norweb and Garrett.
Much has been written about Pittman and Ford. And the catalogs for each man's auctions are standard references today.
Who would you like to know more about?
Maybe you've been impressed with their coins; you have a copy of their auction catalog; or you've just heard about them over the years.
What can you learn from reading about past collectors?
Much has been written about Pittman and Ford. And the catalogs for each man's auctions are standard references today.
Who would you like to know more about?
Maybe you've been impressed with their coins; you have a copy of their auction catalog; or you've just heard about them over the years.
What can you learn from reading about past collectors?
0
Comments
www.brunkauctions.com
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
Folks I could actually sit down, chat with, and see what they have (and, hear more of what they have sold)
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
Between his coin, manuscript, book, signature (yep, he collected signatures in the 19th century), etc. collections, he must have been an interesting guy with interesting tastes and probably an interesting background.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
<< <i>Byron Reed
Between his coin, manuscript, book, signature (yep, he collected signatures in the 19th century), etc. collections, he must have been an interesting guy with interesting tastes and probably an interesting background. >>
I take it this was not the same Byron Reed?
I would like to know more about the late 19th-century collectors, dealers, and auctioneers (e.g., Mickley, Levick, McCoy, Woodward).
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
Kenneth W. Rendell.
Q. David Bowers.
Check out some of my 1794 Large Cents on www.coingallery.org
He died young, and I've never been able to find out what happened to him. He wrote a pioneering worth on U.S. commemorative coins, and collectors who knew him called him, "A great numismatist."
His wife, Catherine, carried on the business after his death down to the present day. She had a booth at the last Baltimore show.
And, of course, I would love to read a biography or autobiography of my beloved QDB. This had better be on Dentuck's goals and objectives filed with the Whitman HR Department for 2011.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
As most of you already know, my friend Dave Bowers has been busy with getting another new coin firm launched (Stacks-Bowers) and is gearing up for the first of several important ANA sales.
The Ford/Franklin Hoard book is done except for what QDB has to offer; which I'm sure will be well worth the wait.
ColonelJessup - Eli Lilly did not have anything to do with American numismatics. His grandson Josiah Kirby Lilly was a wealthy Indiana collector who commissioned Stack's (exclusively) to assemble a gold coin collection from 1951 to his death in 1966. Many of the U.S. private and territorial gold pieces that were sold to Lilly by Stack's, came from Ford and ended up in the Smithsonian Institution when the Lilly collection was "donated" for a tax credit in 1968. There were quite a few modern (1952-1960s) fakes of 19th century gold coins and bars sold to Lilly. This story, the Lilly inventory and appraisal, and the pedigrees will be presented in the Ford book, along with other assorted tales.
1) Clark and/or Gruber
2) Lesher
3) Elder
4) Dickeson
5) Lovett
6) That guy who rumor has it took two 1964-D Peace Dollars out of the Denver Mint in 1965 and spent them.
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<< <i>Burdette Johnson of St. Louis Stamp & Coin......the few excerpts i have read about him, mainly from Abe Kosoff Remembers, make him seem like quite an interesting fellow who had much pull in the industry >>
The owner of the "Missouri Cabinet" told me a story about how Burdette Johnson gave him scholarship when purchasing a proof Barber Quarter. Mr. Johnson instructed my friend that he did not want the shiny one because it has been "wiped." Instead, he told him to select the toned example with its patina undisturbed.
When we went to EAC in 2007, Mr. Newman (who will be 100 next month), also told us stories about Burdette Johnson and Henry Chapman.
Hearing contemporary stories about Henry Chapman is like my grandfather telling me when he saw Babe Ruth in 1928 as a 13-year-old.
Imagine the pick he had?????
<< <i>Lester Merkin. He must have been a fascinating fellow to have known, a Jazz musician before becoming a prominent dealer. He handled/auctioned some of the finest collections in his day including Helfenstein. >>
I only conversed with him a few times, but was always impressed by his natural warmth and willingness to share his knowledge and offer encouragement. He was a sweet man. And his taste was impeccable.
He also acquired the King of Siam set from Spink's (?) and sold it to Elvin Unterman.
So I change my vote.
hrh
Successful BSTs with: Grote15, MadMarty, Segoja,cucamongacoin,metalsman.
Check out some of my 1794 Large Cents on www.coingallery.org
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
<< <i>Eric Newman >>
I run by his house three mornings/week. Let me know what you want to know, and I will knock on his door (at 6:13 AM).
<< <i>
<< <i>Eric Newman >>
I run by his house three mornings/week. Let me know what you want to know, and I will knock on his door (at 6:13 AM). >>
Hmmm. Do we have a stalker on our hands
<< <i>
<< <i>Eric Newman >>
I run by his house three mornings/week. Let me know what you want to know, and I will knock on his door (at 6:13 AM). >>
Knock, knock
"Yes?"
"Hi! I'm Robert. I collect coins!"
Slam!
<Sound of 9-1-1 being dialed on phone...>
<< <i>I have always wanted (and love to hear) more stories and information about Dick Picker. He came up with some of the best colonial coins and related material in the past 60 years. I always enjoyed how when he was asked "how would you grade this coin", his response would be along the lines of "I grade this coin $250". >>
You might enjoy this thread.
A more modern genuis: David Akers
<< <i>I have always wanted (and love to hear) more stories and information about Dick Picker. He came up with some of the best colonial coins and related material in the past 60 years. I always enjoyed how when he was asked "how would you grade this coin", his response would be along the lines of "I grade this coin $250". >>
The late Herb Silberman did the same thing.
I never got along that well with Herb at the NJ Numismatic Society, but we used to have animated discourses about this that always ended amicably.
<< <i>Dave Wnuck, with regard to Jay Parrino, I recall going over to his table several times over the course of a few years in the early to mid 90s at larger shows, always interested in the same two or three Gem 1794 Large Cent varieties in his case, acquired after Ted Naftxger sold his Early Dates to Eric Streiner and Jay got "first shot". I always got a different story on each coin I asked about, and never got the same story twice! It was mind blowing.. His gift of bull**** was totally amazing. Turns out I never could buy any of those 1794s from Jasper, as the price changed as often as the stories did! But Tony Terranova came to the rescue and was able to purchase two of these gems for me for prices I felt were reasonable, and I happily compensated him for his troubles. TomT. >>
Ha! That is why I chose him. I have heard so many different stories about him -- often conflicting; some obviously made up by him and by jealous rivals-- that I would like to get the absolute, unvarnished truth about his rise to "numismatic fame".
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