Q. David Bowers
by Chet Krause
I first met Abe Kosoff in Milwaukee in 1954. We were both there attending the Central States convention. The occasion was my first outing to a major convention-I had launched Numismatic News in the fall of 1952-and I was feeling a good bit of anticipation about the opportunity the outing would afford me to meet many of the prominent personages of the hobby.
I had heard that a handful of dealers, including Abe, who at the time was a veteran professional numismatist of a quarter of a century standing, had just returned from the Cairo auction of the King Farouk Palace Collection Sale. Attendance at such a distant session was unusual in those days, and news traveled rather slowly, so I was looking forward to the firsthand opportunities I might have to gather information from those who had been on the scene.
At that time I was a rather timid country boy, you'll have to understand, and rather unsure of how to act in greeting and taking with the many personages I would be meeting for the first time. It was a learning experience, let me tell you. At the time I felt like I was being put on by some of the name dealers of the day. I wasn't, in retrospect, but I can assure you my insecurity easily surfaced.
Most of those initial contacts were achieved by putting my hand forward. I will never forget, however, that Abe was the one who greeted me and expressed his belief in the merit of my project, offering any counsel I might feel he could provide.
While Abe never became an advertiser, he never failed to take the step to greet me the many times our paths crossed at hobby activities through the next quarter century.
Those who have an acquaintance with the early years of Numismatic News will recall the many pioneering steps it introduced for the bettermen of the hobby. Without fail, Abe could always read the underlying concern addressed and discern the quiet effort underway to foster greater understanding. This was a basic objective we shared with Abe, and toward that end he and I always seemed to be on the same wave length.
When I find myself thinking about Abe, another party generally enters the picture; that would be Sol Kaplan of Cincinnati. Both of these gentlemen were deeply involved in the formation of, and early development of PNG. They, together with Lou Werner, another mutual friend, always made sure I was invited to all PNG affairs. Often I would end up breaking bread at the table of one of the three, when an extra single was required to fill in a PNG banquet table.
While Abe never discussed it, Sol occasionally turned conversation to alluding to their joint effort in selling "the large collection." While I'm not certain if the reference was to collections, or simply the Mikhailovich property, I recall how Sol delighted in relating his role as the king-maker in their joint presentation of the "deal;" Abets role being that of the super salesman, Sol's that of the accountant and tax expert. I am certain they shared great respect for one another, despite most obvious differences in their individual personalities.
A tangent recollection to these simple points of reference comes to mind. I recall having unexpectedly encountered Abe in a concourse at O'Hare Airport several years ago, at which time he was enroute to Cincinnati to help dispose of materials From Sol's estate following his death. Meeting someone you know as you pass through O'Hare isn't something that happens every day.
Another recollection concerns the fund drive to establish the trust that paved the way to the establishment of ANACS a few years back, of which Abe Kosoff and Herb Bergen were co-chairmen. As Abe was right at the point of achieving the $50,000 goal, our paths happened to cross in the by-ways of a convention. We spent a few minutes passing the time of day, following which he offered a brief updating on the drive's progress.
"Chet, if you will sign this pledge card," he the appealed to me, "it will put me over the top." He quickly qualified those words, I must add, to explain that he really wasn't certain if the goal had been reached, or if it was about to be, as several important pledges remained in limbo.
All that is really beside the point. From my standpoint it is great to possess the recollection of taking with Abe at this particular point in a project that was dear to his heart. He was a bit euphoric for having once again been a central figure in the development of a great idea, thus having had the opportunity to apply his stewardship to solicit the funds required to cause a concept to become reality.
Having been deeply involved in some fund raising locally, I can attest to the feeling of satisfaction that results when a goal is achieved. It was great to have had the opportunity to share those few moments with Abe.
I'll have to set the scene for another relevant recollection.
During the 1973 ANA election, Numismatic News ran an ad that named a particular grouping of candidates. The ad carried the sponsorship line of a political committee. Included among the slate of candidates endorsed was Adna Wilde, who it turned out was not pleased to be associated with some of the other named candidates. When Adna
called me to ascertain the identity of the party placing the ad, I declined to provide it, on the basis that that information was proprietary to the publisher.
As I insisted on maintaining the confidentiality of that information, Adna filed an official complaint with the ANA Board of Governors. That was an option that he had every right to exercise, of course. My response to the board was unchanged.
The result was that the board voted to censure me, which I believe is the only time in the history of the ANA that such an action has been taken against a member. Months later Philadelphia dealer Harry Forman wrote a letter to the ANA, revealing that it was he who placed the ad. That action caused the Association to drop the matter.
None of the above information, mind you, has ever before reached print. I determined to relate it here only because Abe became involved in the matter, in my interest, and it serves to illuminate another aspect of his character.
Sometime before all the fuss was resolved, having learned of the censure action, Abe asked me to join him for lunch at a convention one day. There, he expressed great concern about the matter, inquiring for first-hand facts in the case. While Abe seldom showed emotions, he came as close to breaking loose at that time, as I had ever seen him. He was furious about the manner in which the board acted, and wanted to intervene. I informed Abe of the facts and assured him that I could stand the heat, which I did; at this late date I am none the worse for wear.
The point I'm making is that Abe showed great concern for my well-being. Such acts are never forgotten.
I guess my feelings about Abe Kosoff and the qualities he contributed to coin collecting would be captured by concluding this commentary with the observation that, above all else, he was the epitome of a "numismatic gentleman."