The Norweb Collection - An American Legacy

April 3, 1956
Dear John;
The second paragraph of your letter of the 30th calls to mind that famous phrase, de gustibus non est disputandum-and so it is with coin conditions. In any event, it is considerable of an exaggeration to say that there is $70 difference between the two coins.
We shall be in New York in about a week's time-the 12th to be exact-and look forward to seeing you at that time, when we can go over the Canadian Proofs, the 1921 double eagle, and review the prospects of the Paquet piece.
Sincerely yours,
Hon. R. Henry Norweb

Walter Breen represented the Norwebs at Abe Kosoffs sale of the Thomas Melish Collection, held in conjunction with the Central States Numismatic Society Convention. An invoice dated May 5, 1956 totaled $856.50, plus 5% commission for bidding, for a total of $899.33. Among the items purchased were the following: Lot 1940, 1818 half eagle, Uncirculated $105; Lot 2004, 1844 half eagle, Uncirculated, $34; Lot 2063, 1852 half eagle, Uncirculated, $27.50; Lot 2067, 1853 half eagle Uncirculated $32.50; Lot 2072, 1854 half eagle, Uncirculated $32.50; Lot 2096, 1858 half eagle, Uncirculated $47.50; Lot 2122, 1864-S half eagle, Uncirculated $75; Lot 2166, 1880 half eagle Proof, $90; Lot 2173, 1880-CC half eagle, Uncirculated $32.50; Lot 2194, 1883 half eagle, Proof $90; Lot 2206, 1886 half eagle, Proof $90; Lot 2217,1888 half eagle, Proof $112.50; and Lot 2223,1891 half eagle, Proof $87.50. On the invoice, John J; Ford, Jr. appended the following note: "Suggest washing of the Proofs in clear ammonia and bicarbonate!"

May 8, 1956
Dear Charles & John:
Enclosed is my check for $1,029.33 [representing the auction invoice plus another invoice]. Many thanks to Walter Breen for his help both in selecting and then bidding on these coins .... Very Sincerely,
Hon. R. Henry Norweb

June 29, 1956
Dear Mrs. Norweb:
This is just to confirm my conversation with you this morning in which we plan to get together on Thursday, and probably Friday, July 26th and 27th.
At that time, I am going to tout you on the various items held for you and the Ambassador, the Gaskill large cent collection, and the collection of Canadian paper. Also, at that time I hope to have the rare colonials we have been discussing. On the other hand, I do hope that we can recreate here a trading forum reminiscent of Cleveland. In other words, it will be highly advantageous for both of us, if you can move out of some duplicates and move in some material you need.
I have written both [Horace] Brand and Mike [Zeddies] trying to set up an operation commencing Monday, August 27th. [Brand and Zeddies were selling Horace Brand's share of the Virgil M. Brand estate.] If this falls through, due to Brand's intransigence, perhaps we can carryon our horse trading, in case we don't wrap it up the day you leave New York in July for the north woods.

Our new Numisma, now at the printers, contains quarter and half eagles. In the faint possibility that you might need one or more of these, I am enclosing our original manuscript herewith (we always try and give you first crack!).
Off to the foothills!!
Very best personal regards in which all join.
Sincerely,
John J. Ford, Jr.