Status: U Return-Path: Received: from web5205.mail.yahoo.com ([216.115.106.86]) by runyon.mail.mindspring.net (Mindspring Mail Service) with SMTP id t7b4io.4bs.37kbi7f for ; Mon, 29 Jan 2001 10:55:04 -0500 (EST) Message-ID: <20010129155500.27767.qmail@web5205.mail.yahoo.com> Received: from [152.163.197.184] by web5205.mail.yahoo.com; Mon, 29 Jan 2001 07:55:00 PST Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2001 07:55:00 -0800 (PST) From: MPCgram Subject: MPC Gram 239 To: mpcgram@yahoo.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii ==================================================== MPC Gram ==================================================== Covering the Entire World of Military Numismatics ---------------------------------------------------- Series 002-Number 239 Monday 29 January 2001 Thoughts on Advertising by Gram(m) A. After reading yesterday's editorial I wondered about the comments regarding want ads, in particular that these are seen as being in a different category (to for sale ads) and unlikely to be acceptable on an unpaid basis basically because "virtually all gramsters want to buy the same things so the ads would do little good". Could it be our esteemed editor is looking at this question from a possibly narrow point of view? Several grams have emphasized the gram covers all war related material, and a browse through WW11 Remembered will remind gramsters how wide an area this is (and increasingly so with every passing day). Now that the number of gramsters has been expanded (and we are presumably still growing), it may be the collecting interests, and hence potential want ads, of a majority of the Gramsters Collective (GC200+) could be much broader than the honorable Ed. suspects. Potential want ads from a majority of the collective on an individual basis might prove an eye-opener to the remainder of the majority of the collective (if you follow my collective ramblings). In other words, the want ads themselves might convey an interesting perspective to other gramsters, whether a particular US MPC replacement note appears frequently or whether some obscure item from a possible fifth corner of the globe suddenly gets a mention and sparks a new interest, or a long forgotten memory, among some other gramsters. Perhaps I could illustrate this by mentioning a couple of potential want ads of mine (not real ads, of course, as I accept these would unlikely be acceptable on an unpaid basis). Many months ago while chatting to one of the gentlemen of the local (Sydney, Australia) numismatic industry (Yes, aren't we all gentlemen? But this one is a dealer/auctioneer.), he mentioned a forthcoming listing of his that would contain a group of notes that could be of particular interest to me, i.e. WW11 related. In unc condition, the notes were those issued by the Savings Bank of the Province of Laibach in Slovenia under German authority in 1944. I inquired after the listing on a number of occasions, with the expected publishing date of the listing seemingly more and more delayed. However, on my last visit, I was shown the draft and a sneak preview of the notes concerned. What can I say? They were far more beautiful than I thought they would be, and although I already have two of the lower denominations, the set of eight instantly fell into the "I Want! I Must Have!" category. For those gramsters unfamiliar with these notes, they were listed as R1 to R9 under Yugoslavia in the seventh edition of Pick, for some unknown reason dropped from the eighth edition, but have re-appeared in the ninth edition as R16 to R24. WW11 Remembered lists them under Slovenia (1101 to 1105 and 1111 to 1114). The more alert of you will have realized there are nine in the set while my hoped for purchase numbers only eight notes, and hence my first potential want ad would be the 500 lire (now P R23) in unc condition. (I hope its still acceptable to use the P number - I note the latest edition of "Pick" is edited by Neil Shafer and Colin R Bruce 11, but we can't adopt an "S&B" abbreviation as this currently belongs to the WW11 Remembered numbers.) My second potential want ad would relate to a question I raised some time ago in the gram regarding the British Armed Forces special voucher one pound second series (in particular the existence of the watermarked variety - the answer, thank you, being yes to its existence and with an AA/10 prefix). As a result of that answer I have tried to obtain prefix numbers AA/1 to AA/10 with metal thread and, if possible, AA/10 on watermarked paper. For a note that was everywhere about six months ago (kids give-aways, about 50% of nearly every dealers cheapie box, you name it - and all in unc condition), its availability has surprisingly dried up rapidly. All I've managed to get are AA/5, AA/7 and AA/8. No prizes for guessing what else I could include as a want ad. If these items above are potentially on the want lists of "virtually all gramsters," I stand corrected and offer my humble apologies to our illustrious editor, but I suspect my potential wants and those of many other gramsters may often differ markedly from each other. One could always try some want ads. After all, I think we all have accepted the editor has the final say on content and could discontinue the ads if he believed them to be becoming "unacceptable.” MPC Fest News by Marcus Turner I received a letter in the mail on Friday from an individual who was interested in attending the Military Numismatics Seminar under our scholarship (who by the way appears to be an outstanding candidate). He mentioned that he read about the scholarship in “Numismatic News.” While I do not subscribe to that publication, I am pleased to hear that Krause did run the information. Even better is that it was run in one their publications with a HUGE circulation. ==================================================== Editorial ---------------------------------------------------- The advertising editorial generated quite a bit of response--thanks, send MORE. Gram's response outlines many of the issues. First, good job, you did exactly as we suggested, you worked a "want" ad into an article! Perfect, it suits just about everyone's needs. One of the unstated (I forgot) reasons that I am against "want ads" is that they discourage ads for items for sale. If a transaction is completed between two individuals, the gram family does not get to see anything about it. On the other hand, "blind" requests encourage advertising so we might consider that. OK, if you have a special want, send it. We will try running these as "collector wants." Then if anyone has this item for sale, the seller can send in an advertisement. Some other advertising ideas and innovations are being considered. =================================================== Mail Call --------------------------------------------------- Dear Editor, As I believe I said in a recent email, if it got through to you, I appreciate getting the GRAM. I enjoy and learn from it. HOWEVER, I think you must have my address entered twice, since I regularly get two issues of the same one. Can this be fixed? I hope without taking me off the list. Bill M Dear Bill, We hare happy that you enjoy the gram. We enjoy sending you the extra copy because it pads our distribution figures! Perhaps you can sell the extra copy? Since you caught us padding, we have tried to remove the extra name. If you do not receive this issue at all, please let us know. Editor Dear Editor, Didn't they do a song recently about Margareetaville? Cuba, New York is easier to pronounce and spell than North Tonawanda, New York where I grew up. Cheers, Colin Dear Editor, I just received this paragraph when I inquired about MPC's. Speaking of MPC's, have you ever thought of the Wellington tokens as (metal) MPC's? They were specially issued to pay the troops, yet, if the mission failed, they could be totally demonetized. They are generally collected as part of the Canadian predecimal tokens, since so many Canadians were in Wellington's Peninsular army and brought many of the tokens home with them. I don't have an intelligent reply. Do you? DS Dear Direct Support, Asking for an intelligent reply from these parts is dangerous business, but, as always, I can make some comments. The basic problem is trying to use the term MPC (or military payment certificate) as a general term. This should not be done. The term MPC applies specifically to the issues of the United States which have that terminology as part of the design. The term was not coined until 1946. Military money existed long before that. As defined in WWII Remembered, MPC as an army currency. That is, it is issued by the military for restricted use by military personnel. There are many army issues other than MPC and the Wellington tokens probably fit into the category. I suggest the discussion on these matters in the front of Remembered. Each of the types of military money are discussed there. Thank you very much for the question. Editor Dear Gram, I just wanted to mention and thank David Seelye for turning me on to the MPC Gram.He's out there spreading the word about it. Keep up the good work, it is much appreciated. Gavin =================================================== Departments --------------------------------------------------- WWII numismatics seminar at ANA Summer Seminar 2001 --------------------------------------------------- Not only does the scholarship fund have an official identity but also has a bank account! Any further donations should be paid to the order of "Military Numismatists Scholarship" and sent to: Military Numismatists c/o Marcus Turner 8103 East US Highway 36 Suite 163 Avon, IN 46123 THE UPDATED LIST OF SCHOLARSHIP BENEFACTORS 1/21/01. These folks have generously provided money or material to finance scholarships to the ANA WWII Numismatics seminar. Your contributions will help promote collecting WWII material and be greatly appreciated. Mr. Anonymous Donor Mike Cummings Ed B. Doug Bell R. A. Medina Harold MPCKid Kroll Leo "Paymaster" May Bill McNease Marcus Turner Larry Ski Fred PK6 Joel Shafer World Wide Ventures John & Nancy Wilson Neil Shafer ----------------------------------------------------- MPC Fest II ----------------------------------------------------- MPC Fest is the annual feast of MPC. After some difficulties of coordination we have not changed the dates and tentatively scheduled 9-11 March 2001 for MPC Fest II. Confirmed participants in MPC Fest II Doug Bell Bill McNease Al Glaser Phil Goldstein Harold Kroll Ian Marshall Larry Smulczenski Leo May Kevin Maloy Marv Mericle Bruce Potter David Seelye Nick Shrier Fred Schwan Dan Swartz Warner Talso (and Jane) Marcus Turner (We are well past last year's participation level. Can we double it, triple it, more?) If you have made a reservation and your name does not appear above, please contact the gram immediately (MPCgram@yahoo.com). Tentative schedule as of 15 January 2001 Friday March 8 1500-1900 Arrivals at Comfort Inn 1900-2030 no host dinner at Cisco and Charlies 2030-2300 bull session at Comfort Inn 2400 lights out Saturday breakfast at Comfort Inn 0730-0845 breakfast at Service Club 0900-1000 equipment issue (supply sergeant) 1000-1100 pay operations (pay master) 1100-1230 show and tell, session I 1230-1330 pizza party at Service Club (mess sergeant) 1330-1800 swap session (dealer surcharge, TBD) 1800-1930 spaghetti dinner at Service Club (mess sergeant) 1930-2030 secret operations 2000-2345 commemorative poker game at Comfort Inn 2200 MPC chat (simultaneous with poker game) 2400 lights out Sunday 0830-0900 breakfast at Service Club 0900-1000 research updates 1000-1230 show and tell 1230-1330 lunch at Service Club 1300-1500 field trip to WWII POW camp 1530 closing ceremonies Monday (optional, weather permitting) 0600-0630 breakfast at Service Club 0700-1400 Walleye fishing trip Remarks: registration is $139 per person. This includes two nights lodging (double occupancy, room assignments by first sergeant the only possible exception is married couples), Meals as indicated (Friday evening not included), equipment and amenities. The value of souvenirs and goodies distributed will likely exceed the cost of the entire Fest. Reservations accepted now at MPCGram@yahoo.com, deposits ($50 minimum) accepted at MPC Fest, 132 East Second Street, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452. Late registration surcharges: after February 15 $25, after March 1 $50. Confirmed reservations will be listed daily in the gram—make your reservations now! Additional information; the Comfort Inn is located at 1723 East Perry Street, Port Clinton, Oh 43452, you may use one of the online map services to get exact driving directions. DO NOT make your own reservations or inquiries. The best airports in order of distance are Toledo (45 mins), Cleveland (90 mins), Detroit (100 mins). We will try to coordinate ground transportation, but there are no guarantees here. Questions: send your questions to MPCgram@yahoo.com. In most cases the questions will be answered in the letters section of the gram. After all, if you have the question, someone else probably does too. ==================================================== Post/Base Exchange (PX/BX/NEX) Dump your dupes! Your classified advertisement for items for sale will be run here for free. Send your ads to the gram. This service is for everyone, most humble dealer or most advanced collector. The point is to make the gram more interesting. Send in a list of items for sale and we will list them here in the gram. In all cases confirm your order via email first. MPC Series 651 $5 unc $200. Ian Marshall, please e-mail for confirmation. iam@total.net. MPC series 692 $1 gem unc $52.50 confirm at coinman@rochester.rr.com. MPC Series 681 $1 gem CU $20. Confirm fred@papermoneyworld.com. =================================================== Staff: publisher and editor: Fred Schwan - fred@papermoneyworld.com; assistant editor - Phil Goldstein critic: Harold Kroll - MPCKid@papermoneyworld.com; index manager: Ed Beaman webmaster & technical advisor: Doug Bell - (Wiz): doug@papermoneyworld.com; The Boss: Judy Schwan ===== MPC Gram is published by BNR Press and papermoneyworld.com as a free service to the community of military money collectors. Your suggestions, criticisms, complaints, editorial contributions, letters, and even praise are very welcome. The entire contents including linked illustrations are copyright protected by the publishers. In the case of contributors, the copyright is protected on behalf of the creators. Please send all correspondence regarding the gram to MPCgram@yahoo.com. Thank you very much for your participation. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! 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