Q. David Bowers
Honorary chairman for the convention was Farran Zerbe, whom Abe Kosoff described as the "dean of American numismatists," a title that Abe himself would inherit a few decades later. It was noted that Zerbe had been an ANA member since 1900 and had participated in the St. Louis Exposition in 1904, the Portland Exposition in 1905-1906, the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915, and in numerous other events. He served as president of the ANA for the 1907-1909 term. His extensive collection was sold to the Chase National Bank of New York City in 1928, after which he became curator of the exhibit, retiring in 1939.
Advertisements were placed by leading dealers of the era. Freeport, Illinois dealer, M.H. Bolender, who stated that he had been a collector and dealer for 42 years and had conducted 175 auction sales, noted that a new 80-page catalogue was being printed. The Whitman Publishing Co., Racine, Illinois, invited collectors to buy the Guide Book of United States Coins, 1949 edition, available for $1.50. Stack's, doing business at 12 West 46th Street, New York, extended greetings from Joseph, Morton, Benjamin, Harvey, and Norman Stack, noting that the firm was in business as auctioneers, appraisers, and publishers.
The Hollinbeck Stamp & Coin Co., Des Moines, Iowa, owned by Paul Kagin and A.M. Kagin, solicited collections for cash or auction noting that $150,000 cash minimum was available for purchases. The firm billed itself as "America's leading coin auctioneers."
From London, B.A. Seaby, Ltd., numismatic publishers and dealers in coins and medals, offered for sale a variety of reference books in a full page ad in the convention program, while Wayte Raymond, the well-known New York dealer, offered reference books as well, plus albums.
Earl A. Parker, who did business at 1254 Market Street in San Francisco, the convention city, welcomed conventioneers by means of an advertisement, as did the Far West Stamp & Coin Co., which invited visitors to stop by at the San Francisco store on McAllister Street.
Smith and Son, of Wheaton, Illinois, stated that "We know of no one who lost money using our service or our advice in the' last 30 years" and invited consultation "on any and all numismatic matters when buying or selling gold coins."
Not to be outdone by anyone, B. Max Mehl took out two pages in the convention program, boasting of the total realizations of famous collections he had sold at auction, noting that during his career well over $2 million worth of collections had been bought and sold privately, including the William Forrester Dunham Collection totaling $83,364, the Fred Olsen Collection at $55,935, the William C. Atwater Collection at $153,514, and other achievements.
Frank J. Katen, proprietor of the Milford Coin & Stamp Co., New Haven, Connecticut, noted that "the collector's goodwill is our first consideration" and told of numerous auction sales he had conducted, including one for the American Numismatic Association in 1948 and nearly a dozen sessions in New Haven, Connecticut since then.
Hans M.F. Schulman, whose offices were at 545 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, offered English price lists, catalogues in the French language, and numismatic references in Spanish and Portuguese, noting that he had agents in all parts of the world and had continuous representation in Paris, London, Sao Paulo, and Amsterdam.
A national but quite controversial dealers' group, the American Coin Dealers' Association, with William J. Sexton as president, Harold L. Bowen as vice-president, Frank J. Katen as secretary, and Carl Curcio as treasurer, listed directors James Kelly, John H. Hanson, George B. Rogers, and Early C. Schille and offered the ACDA Credit Card, noting: "Credit card service is an unusual service in numismatics. It is not new in other business deals, having been used successfully by gasoline companies, department stores, more recently by railroad and air transport companies ... To obtain a credit card simply write to the ACDA secretary. Within a few days you will receive an application blank. .. Over 700 collectors now possess an ACDA credit card."
Others who advertised in the convention program included W.A. Philpott, Jr.. a Dallas numismatist who specialized in currency; Spink & Son, Ltd., the well-known London dealers, "established four years before the Declaration of Independence," David M. Bullowa, who conducted auctions and transacted business in Philadelphia; the Watkins Coin Company, owned by L.W. Hoffecker, a past president of the American Numismatic Association; Max L. Kaplan, of Brooklyn, New York; Ruth Green, of Chicago, Illinois; Kenneth W. Lee, "full time dealer in coins and medals since 1931," from Glendale, California; Tatham Stamp and Coin Co., owned by Howard MacIntosh, Springfield, Massachusetts; Bebee Stamp & Coin Co., Chicago, Illinois, owned by Aubrey and Adeline Bebee; John Zug, the Bowie, Maryland dealer; the Celina Coin Co., of Lima, Ohio; and several others, including Harry C. Matthews,' Barney Bluestone, Bill Mertes, Sol Kaplan, Seattle Stamp & Coin Co., Toivo Johnson, Frank A. Limpert, Emil Voight, Ceorgi P. Land, and C.J. Edgar.
A highlight of the convention was an educational forum, the Speakers' Panel, moderated b) Vernon L. Brown. First to speak was John J. Pittman, the Rochester, New York, numismatist whose topic was "United States Proofs Prior to 1858." The program noted, "Mr. Pittman, Life Member No. 152, is a chemical engineer, is married, and has three children. He was a member of the 1947 Assay Commission and is now president of the Rochester Numismatic Association. A keen student numismatics, he is currently on the Committee Contemporary Coins of the American Numismatic Society. Mr. Pittman will discuss the early Proof coins and will include information on a number of restrikes."
Second on deck was Kenneth W. Lee, who spoke on his favorite topic, "California Gold Coins." Although the denominations were no stated, chances are excellent that the program was on small issues-the fractional quarter and half dollars as well as the gold dollar types.
The introduction of Dr. J. Hewitt Judd, whose topic was "United States Patterns," noted that he was" one of our most prominent eye surgeons area respected numismatist. Doc has been working on a revision of the Adams-Woodin standard work on the subject of patterns and it is about ready for publication. His short incision into the broad subject should sew up a few converts to these series."
Alas, it was not until a decade later, 1959, that the book actually saw print. But, when it did it became the standard reference and quickly superseded the Adams-Woodin text. Editorship of subsequent editions was taken over by Abe Kosoff.
W. A. Philpott, Jr., chose as a subject "Paper Money or Coins-Which to Collect." "He promised to take only eight minutes, but when a Texan starts-listen for the bell!" Abe Kosoff wrote in his description of Philpott's presentation, which undoubtedly suggested that currency should be investigated as a collecting medium.
Others speakers at the event included Dr. A.F. Pradeau (Mexican numismatics), E. Kann (Chines' numismatics), W.E. Daniel (military and emergency currency of World War II), and M. Vernon Sheldon (How to Start a Collection of Classical Coins).
"Money Talks," Abe Kosoff's favorite title for personality sketches and observations, a column which was normally to be found on the back of the Numismatic Gallery Monthly, appeared on the outside back cover of the August 1949 American Numismatic Association convention program. Excerpts:
"Conventions are swell-we see a lot of folks we like to see more often but don't-except through the mails.
"I thought you were older-something I'll hear many times-it is always expressed by friends with whom we've corresponded for years. After all, this month marks exactly 20 years of coin dealing, for it was in September 1929 that the initiation took place down in the Bowery in New York City.