Michael Hodder and Q. David Bowers
December 30, 1953
My Dear Mr. Kosoff:
This letter is being dictated to my secretary over the telephone as on returning home I find your note of the 28th inquiring about our Cairo plans. This crossed with my other letter of today's date.
Of course we are interested in perfecting arrangements for the sale, and since we shall all be in New York at the same time, please
let us plan to meet at the apartment sometime before the 4th of February.
There is an answering service on this phone so that a message can be left for us should we not be there when you call. However, should you feel it desirable to talk over matters before that time, I hope you will telephone us here.
Yours very truly,
Hon. R. Henry Norweb
January 4, 1954
My Dear Mr. Norweb:
Thank you for your two messages of December 30th.
I will be delighted to contact you upon my arrival in New York.
Just plan for me on the evening of February 1. We can then arrange a definite and convenient time to discuss matters.
Of cordial regards and greetings of the seasons.
Very sincerely yours,
A.K.
April 14, 1954
My Dear Abe:
As my telegram will have indicated, there is no question of pay-ing 200 pounds extra for the Liberty Head 1913 nickel. This was a straight bid we asked you to make, and your letting Kaplan execute it was your own affair. Time after time you told us that you and Kaplan were acting as a team. Perhaps you may remember that after acquiring the coin you expressed pleasure to Mrs. Norweb that you had been able to get it, and that you and I discussed the possibility of removing some of the corrosion. I cannot understand this new angle.
As to Lot 210, nothing was said from the floor that one coin was missing, so it will probably turn up in Cincinnati [where Sol Kaplan was reviewing certain Farouk purchases]. Let us hope so.
I am pleased to know that [Hans M.E] Schulman is getting his purchases out [Schulman had an uncollected debt from the deposed King Farouk and made special arrangements with the Egyptian government for a credit at the sale; all purchasers at the sale worried about exporting their coins safely] and we will be looking forward to their arrival. Incidentally, I did not request Lot 275-but merely asked that four coins be earmarked for me.
Mrs. Norweb understands about the Kohler bar, and since she never gives out information as to prices, what you said is again your own business. So far I do not believe she has said that she bought it, as she thought that you might like to have the kudos.
I am returning the 1848 CAL. quarter eagle because I feel it is priced too high. Perhaps we had better forget any odd items until the furor from the sale calms down. In the meantime we will be thinking about our duplicates. Mrs. Norweb asked me to say that unfortunately she cannot do anything about gold dollars as she bought that lot for another collector who is holding his breath until it arrives.
My plans now are to be at the sale in Milwaukee and I shall be delighted to bring the Liberty Head nickel for [rest of letter copy is missing].
May 3, 1954
My Dear Abe:
Here is my check for your statement No. 20,874, minus the $9,000 already paid.
As to the other statement, no. 20,873, would you wish to have now a check for the Liberty Head or wait until delivering Lot 285 and Lot No. 17007 In any event, please send me a new statement to bring us up to date.
The extra $250 is for the 1848 CAL quarter eagle. With personal regards,
Sincerely yours,
Hon. R. Henry Norweb
September 14, 1954
My Dear Mr. Norweb:
We have finally returned home after a most delightful trip [in-cluding attendance at the ANA Convention held in Cleveland]. I need not tell you that the wonderful evening at the Norweb home was one of the highlights which we shall long remember. Please extend our thanks to Mrs. Norweb.
You undoubtedly will be pleased to learn that the four lots which Hans Schulman brought back are now being forwarded to you. I refer to Lots 254, 275, 285, and 1700 of the Farouk Collection. You know, of course, that Hans had considerable difficulty and he had the merchandise shipped out of Cairo to Basle, from whence he reshipped to the States.
You will find an invoice enclosed, and while you may mail the check to me, it may be drawn to the Numismatic Gallery, as this is one of the carry-over items [following the dissolution of Numismatic Gallery].
While in Cleveland I had hoped to discuss with you and Mrs. Norweb handling some duplicate items by listing in my new bulletin, which, incidentally, is proving to be a very effective medium. You might talk it over and favor me with a few choice tidbits which I know repose among the Norweb holdings.
Very likely I will have the pleasure of seeing you soon, since I plan to attend the Middle Atlantic Numismatic Association Convention in Washington as well as the Chicago meeting in October.
Very cordially, Abe Kosoff
September 28, 1954
My Dear Abe:
Returning this morning after the sale one of my first ports of call was at the bank to arrange for the payment of your invoice No. 25,416 amounting to $6,123.60. We still feel that Hans took the long way around in getting the coins to us, but we live and learn ....
With regard to duplicate items, my wife and I hope to complete the inventory by the end of the year, so that in January you may expect to hear from us as to what is available.
As regards to the Chicago convention, all being well I hope to be there, but for one day only, since it comes at a time when the duck season is at its best.
With regards to you both, Yours sincerely,
Hon. R. Henry Norweb
September 19, 1957
Dear Abe:
Before leaving for Washington my wife asked me to write to you of her interest in seeing Lot No.4 in your October 10 sale. Should this be a Fugio example which she does not have in her collection it might be something special I could get for her by way of an anniversary present. You can be sure it will be returned promptly.
It was good to see you both in Philadelphia. These chance meetings make me realize once again how much you are missed from the earlier pattern of your numismatic activities.
With regards,
Very sincerely yours, Hon. R. Henry Norweb