Q. David Bowers
Abe always seemed to take a level-headed view. While many other dealers were preoccupied with one problem or another and, as they say, couldn't see the forest for the trees, Abe could always see the big picture. Time and time again, he brought calm to disruptive Board of Governors' meetings of the American Numismatic Association and membership meetings of the Professional Numismatists Guild. And, people listened to Abe. His counsel was sought and, when obtained, was accepted.
I attended many if not most of Abe Kosoff's auction sales from the mid-1950s onward. The Sloss Collection Sale was quite an event and had the electric atmosphere which is present only when specialists in a certain series, in this instance large cents, compete for items which they know they may not otherwise buy for a long time. Truly exciting it was, and my long list of "must have" pieces dwindled as I saw price record after price record shattered-as the coins sold to collectors willing to pay much more than I would. Contrasting that was the Thomas Melish Collection Sale, which was poorly attended. Bids from those in the sale room were few and far between, there was not much excitement, and bargains were aplenty. In between those two extremes were many other experiences.
I recall bidding on a "Proof" large cent in one of Abe's sales. Upon receiving the coin, it didn't seem to be a Proof to me. I studied it carefully, and came to the conclusion that while it somewhat resembled a Proof, it was a business strike. I fortified myself with all sorts of documents-the Newcomb book on large cents (which states which varieties were issued in Proof state), some of Walter Breen's writings on the subject of Proofs, and so on. In short, I was prepared for an argument, and I wanted to be sure that my evidence was in order.
"Mr. Kosoff, I believe this is not a Proof," I timidly suggested as I handed him the envelope containing the coin. I was steeled for an argument.
"Dave, if you don't like it-well then you don't have to keep it." That was it. He didn't even look at the coin! What mattered is what I thought, not what he thought. I have never forgotten that instance, either.
Over the years I had many transactions with Abe Kosoff. Not a single transaction was less than 100%. If there was a rough edge or something was not pleasing, Abe smoothed it out. I purchased many rarities as well as several groups and collections from him. In the later years of his life, it was standard practice for Abe to handle estates and collections for the heirs of his friends. Often this would be accomplished by having the coins sent to Palm Springs, at which time Abe would solicit several competitive bids. Then, the highest bidder would be the winner. I came to Palm Springs on numerous occasions to submit bids, a number of which were successful. Also, sharing an interest in pattern coins with Abe, I bought many pieces from what he liked to tall his "warehouse," a series of large bank vaults.
I had the opportunity to work closely with Abe in many situations involving United States pattern coins, first as an enthusiastic customer, then as publisher with him of Dr. J. Hewitt Judd's United States Pattern, Experimental and Trial Pieces book. When Abe Kosoff and Ken Bressett completed their monumental efforts on the American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins book, they asked me to write the preface to it-a rare honor. And, in many other ways we worked together.
When I was president of the Professional Numismatists Guild, he gave me much valuable advice, for he had been in that position before. When I received the Founders' Award given by the PNG, he, the person who had established the award, expressed his warm congratulations.
There were some sad times, too. I remember the funeral of his dear son, Steve. Tears were in everyone's eyes. Here was a likable young man, his father's heir-apparent in the numismatic hobby, cut off from life at the unfair age of 28. Then there were two occasions in recent years when I served as master of ceremonies at the annual Professional Numismatists Guild banquet, Abe's traditional job, because Abe was ill and couldn't attend. Then there were some telephone conversations with Abe in the twilight weeks of his life. Never did he complain about his illness or anything unfortunate. Rather, he expressed concern for the hobby and for others.
In the course of preparing the present book, I asked a number of Abe Kosoff's friends to prepare recollections of their experiences with him. To a person, each remembered Abe as a gentleman, a fine individual, a credit to the hobby. Certainly, numismatic history as we know it today would be far different if Abe Kosoff had followed his intended career of accounting. How fortunate we are that numismatics was chosen instead.
In the course of writing over two dozen books on various subjects, the main challenge has always been research-to come up with facts, figures, and information of interest and value to the reader. It is fair to say that although I am named as the author of the book, the co-author is Abe Kosoff. More than any other dealer of his era, Abe Kosoff shared with others the stories of what he did and the hobby as he observed it. Thus, wherever possible in the following text, I have let Abe tell his own story-as he originally did in the pages of the Numismatic Gallery Monthly, Kosoff's Coin Bulletin, his auction catalogues and advertisements, and, in particular, in his column in Coin World. An editing of Abe's words has been done with a light touch. He never was quite sure whether editorially he should be "I" or "we" -and his choice of words in that situation has been left intact. Although officially he was Abraham Kosoff, in all advertisements he styled himself as A. Kosoff, although all his friends knew him as Abe. Editorially, especially in his catalogues and price lists, he simply used the initials AK. How fortunate it was that his partner, Abner Kreisberg, who was with him for 10 years, also had similar initials. Now there were two of them-a situation which produced all sorts of editorial delights. The AK initials were extended to other things, including a club of "Aktive Kollectors." As I and others knew him as Abe, it seems appropriate to refer to him as Abe Kosoff in the following text, rather than A. Kosoff, which seems to be too formal.
In the Pantheon of American numismatics, there are many great figures. But, few of them can measure up to Abe Kosoff in terms of the contributions he made to the American Numismatic Association, to the Professional Numismatists Guild (as its founder),to numismatic literature (through his auction catalogues and the handling of great rarities), and, on a more personal basis, to all who were fortunate enough to cross his path.
If you knew Abe, then some of the following information will bring back memories. If you did not, then you will enjoy meeting-through the medium of print-one of the great figures of our time.
-Q. David Bowers