The History of United States Coinage As Illustrated by the Garrett Collection

Robert Garrett declined:
I am sorry that I do not care to bid on the half eagle of 1822, as I do not feel in a position to spend much money on the collection at present.

Early in 1907 Robert Garrett noticed that the old letterhead of the firm S. H. & H. Chapman had been discontinued, and a new letterhead appeared bearing the name of S. H. Chapman alone. S. Hudson Chapman gave this explanation:

The reason for the change in the name of the firm is that it has been dissolved, but we will continue and fulfill existing contracts, for which we are both willing, and I am advised that such contracts continue binding on all parties, in spite of a dissolution.

We shall carry out the work as if no dissolution had occurred, either doing the section to which he may have given the greater attention and to which he would have done, had the partnership continued. I do not think, therefore, that it will have any effect upon cataloguing your collection, which we have planned to complete at the timely limit you appointed, two years, or next summer.

From this point forward S. Hudson Chapman and Henry Chapman each corresponded individually with Robert Garrett. At first Henry Chapman used the designation Henry Chapman, Jr., but soon the "Jr." was dropped from his letterhead. On May 31, 1907,

Henry Chapman wrote:
I have just purchased and can offer you gold Proof sets from 1890 to 1896. I really have the line from 1890 to 1907 inclusive. I believe your collection lacks the sets from 1890 to 1896 inclusive, and as you have so splendid a line, beginning with 1860, I feel that it might be desirable for you to secure those which you lack. As far as I can see, you lack seven sets.

I will sell the seven sets for $500, which would be from 1890 to 1896 inclusive. I have been working desperately on the catalogue of the Stickney collection, but as soon as it is completed and out, I hope to finish the work which I have already nearly completed on the foreign gold coins in your collection.

Relating to the cataloguing project, on June 1, 1907, S. Hudson Chapman wrote:
Yesterday I obtained the keys from my brother, who has done some work on the modern foreign gold section, but at present he is not working on it. I propose soon to take u another section, that of the medals .. .I note your statement "I should like now to have all the material in hand within a few months .. ," and I will endeavor to meet your wishes on the matter.

Henry Chapman wrote again on June 15th, giving a detailed appraisal of the contents of the Stickney Collection, which he was offering for sale at auction:

The collection of pattern pieces from [lot] 445 to 608 is probably the next largest to your own collection in existence.

There are a few pieces that are lacking in your collection ... Also permit me to draw your attention to No. 418, the great set of Season or Peace medals issued by George Washington during his second presidency. What this set will now bring is difficult to determine, but I think it is likely that they will bring from $300 to $500 per set of six pieces. I shall be very glad to have your permission to purchase them, and I believe they will add greatly to your collection . . . .