| Description |
Eric P. Newman Correspondence Files: U.S. Federal CoinageOne box of material, primarily consisting of original letters to Eric P. Newman from various collectors and dealers, with carbon copies of Newman's letters in return, as well as various associated items. Thirty-six correspondents are included. Most materials are well-preserved. Given that Eric P. Newman was best known for his work in the field of early American coins and paper money, it comes as no surprise that his correspondence on U.S. federal issues is more limited in scope. But given that Newman also was coauthor of the definitive work on the 1804 dollar and was among the premier experts on authentication, his correspondence reflects this. The topics of the correspondence vary considerably depending on the correspondent. Technical discussions of matters pertaining to coining operations in the early U.S. Mint are common, as are provenance queries. Newman applauds Mint Director Eva Adams's ability to work with numismatists while doing her job well ("the pleasant way in which you alternately threw barbs at some numismatists and then kissed them was a masterpiece of sincerity and tact") as well as J. Hewitt Judd's man cave ("I was very impressed, as you well understand, by the fantastic Basement Coin Castle and also by the fantastic completeness of your library"). He gives his opinions when asked for them and diplomatically keeps them to himself when not. Files of particular interest here include the Jack Collin correspondence (which centers on the 1794 dollar research Collins was conducting as well as the fate of their mutual friend Walter Breen), the William H. Sheldon file (recording a rare time when their paths crossed), and the file about the Louisiana Purchase Sesquicentennial Celebration (an ultimately vetoed effort, with which Newman was involved, to pass a bill authorizing a 50 cent commemorative issue recognizing the 150th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase). Correspondents include: Adams, Eva; Amato, Jon P.; Bates, Maffitt; Bolender, M.H.; Brooks, Mary; Burdette, Roger; Cole, Harmer B.; Collins Jr., Charles J.; Collins, Jack; Curtis, H. Allen; Davis, David J.; Dowling, Gloria and Hugh; Edison, Bernard; Eisel, Joseph F.; Fearon, Daniel; Finkelstein, David; Gettys, Loyd; Judd, J. Hewitt; Julian, Robert W.; Loring, Denis W.; Louisiana Purchase Sesquicentennial Celebration; Luer, Carlyle; Moulton, Karl (on Henry Voigt); National Bank of Detroit; Orosz, Joel J.; Perkins, W. David; Price, Ed; Rea, Rory; Reiver, Jules; Salyards, Harry E.; Schweppe Jr., Harry N.; Scott, William; Sheldon, William H.; Tripp, David and Susan; Wilkinson, Frank; Witham, Stewart P.; and Wolfson, William Quitman. Estimate $1,000. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
Heritage Auctions 11/2018 (Newman XI), lot15136 (realized $600).
Heritage link: http://www.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=1283&lotIdNo=11497 |
