Michael Hodder and Q. David Bowers
June 18, 1957
My Dear Eric:
The end of April I was in England, otherwise I can assure you I would have been at the Convention in St. Louis with my Massachusetts silver to show you.
No, you have not hurt my feelings by telling me that the Noe-19 Oak Tree sixpence is a forgery. Once I saw Baldwin's piece I felt pretty sure that it was and when I saw a second one in London it became a certainty.
As to the New England shilling with obverse Noe-1 and with the so-called new obverse I can have two opinions. There is something intangible I do not like about it and I am not sure myself whether it is its thickness or color. Dick Picker feels very strongly that the reverse is a new die but I am not convinced. I have seen a slipped punch which did give the same variation as from reverse Noe-1,
You asked me if I have anything new or interesting in the Mass-achusetts silver line, and the answer is I do not know what you call new. Since there are always interesting things where coins are concerned, I am enclosing a list of the ones that I have. If you want the weights of any of these do let me know as soon as you can, asat the end of the week I will be going down to the vault to pull out the coins that I want to weigh.
What are you doing this summer? As soon as I get cleared away with guests and meetings I am free and am tempted to get on a train for St. Louis with my coins and spend an evening with you.
Very sincerely
Mrs. R. Henry Norweb
April 7, 1958
My Dear Eric:
Naturally I am completely excited over your proposed trip here.
We are leaving this week and will be back the end of May. Should any change of plans occur it would be to return a week earlier.
If the first week in June is not too late for you it would be a very good time to come. Why do you not plan to be here Saturday and Sunday staying with us at the house and plying your trade Monday. If you let me know in advance I will have everything at the house for you to look at at your leisure.
Looking forward to your visit.
Sincerely yours
Mrs. R. Henry Norweb
November 15, 1960
My Dear Eric:
Yes, I do own the Brasher doubloon you refer to in your letter of November 10th. I am rather sure that John Ford had it photographed at the Society before turning it over to me. If he did not I will take it to New York in a few weeks and have a photograph done.
You are quite correct in saying it is a beautiful punch. All that I have been able to find out about the EB punches is that there are two very similar. The one I have has a dot left of the upright of B where the cross piece joins. This same punch is found on the English piece in the Society. I also have in my possession the second EB punch on an English piece without the dot. It is not quite the same size nor the same shape but very similar letters. This coin I have on approval from Spink but am not keeping it. Mr. Liddell of Spink is arriving here tomorrow, Wednesday, and will stay until Friday morning. He will be taking the piece back with him to New York. Should you want to examine it you had better telephone him here at Liberty 1-4800 and make your arrangements or telegraph him and if he has left I would forward the message. At this moment I do not know where he will be staying in New York.
As to the Connecticut cents I have turned them over to my son to work on. After the rush of Christmas is over I will get them back and list them. Sorry I cannot do it before.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. R. Henry Norweb
February 28, 1961
My Dear Eric:
Just as I think I am squared away to work on coins the heavens open and everything happens. We had been in New York off and on for about a month and came home to influenza and the mother and father of a snow storm. The snow started Saturday night together with a thunder storm. The transformers on the pole were hit by lightning and then a tree crashed across all wires, putting the telephone out of commission as well. So we were without light for eighteen hours and no telephone until this morning, Tuesday. I still am without voice but I can write letters.
As to the Connecticut cents I will ask my son to send over the collection and make a list. This will not be before next week.
The Brasher doubloon we have is the Boyd specimen and the one referred to in the ANS Centennial number. I believe the ANS did photograph it but do you want something more? . . .
I am glad to see we still are together on the ANS Committee for United States coins. Wish we could do something constructive for the American section.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. R. Henry Norweb
May 3, 1961
Dear Mrs. Norweb
Your letters are always so enthusiastic and kind but you forget me. Almost everyone in the United States has cooperated with respect to the Connecticut project but I have never had any action from you after my many requests. I know you have many more irons in the fire than the rest of us and have many more social affairs, solicitations, and other complications because of the size of your family and interests than those of us who lead thesimple life. In any event can you get the Connecticut information off dead center?
Evelyn and I are planning a trip to Africa this summer visiting Nigeria, Ghana and Mali in West Africa and then driving ourselves for two weeks in South Africa. We are going to a Zulu fesitval which ought to be pretty lively.
In your past letter to me you indicated you were glad we are still together on the ANS Committee for United States coins and that you wished we could do something constructive for the American section. ANS, as you know, has a marvelous collection of Connecticut pieces and publishing a first-class book on the subject would be very constructive. I am working on a few other books, in addition, but the time for you to help me is now.
I hope you and your family are enjoying life to the fullest and look forward to seeing you whenever our paths can cross. Most cordially yours,
Eric P. Newman