Michael Hodder and Q. David Bowers
November 9, 1953
Dear John:
In line with our agreement to check with one another on matters numismatic, I have received a preview pamphlet from Sotheby's with details about the forthcoming Farouk Sale.
The coins will be auctioned from Wednesday, February 24th, to Sunday, February 28th-and then again at a second sale from Wednesday, March 3rd to Saturday, March 6th. The pamphlet has only one plate of coins-all gold-none United States. Very sincerely,
Hon. R. Henry Norweb
December 31, 1953
My Dear John:
As agreed, I am writing to say that we have definitely decided to go to Cairo for the Farouk Sale, leaving New York on the Andrea Doria February 4. With the auction set up on a wholesale basis there is little that a private individual can hope for except to enjoy the spectacle, plus the weather, which is ideal at that season of the year. However, should you have anything particular in mind I would be glad to check on condition, etc., and let you know by cable ....
With every good wish,
Sincerely yours,
Hon. R. Henry Norweb
April 13, 1954
Dear John:
As one of three Cairo independents, Dibello and I missed you very much at Stack's sale. We bought little at this sale. There was nothing in my wife's field, and my limit on the quarter eagle was $5,750. It went, as you perhaps know, for $6,000. I had intended to pick up the 1921 double eagle, but, frankly, made a mistake about the time it was to be put on sale. If you ever hear of one you will know it is on my want list. . . .
We missed your wife in London, since the day we were all supposed to join Baldwin I had to go to Nottingham and see relatives. We were particularly sorry, as we got to know Baldwin quite well, and look forward to knowing him a lot better.
When you have a chance please let me know which gold pieces you wanted from our late eagle series and I will check. We are expecting Abe to forward everything [from our purchases at the Farouk Sale in Cairo] here sometime this week.
I look forward to dropping by some evening on a motor trip to or from New York and the pleasure of seeing something of your outstanding collection.
With best personal wishes in which my wife joins me,
Yours sincerely,
Hon. R. Henry Norweb
May 4, 1954
Dear Mr. Pittman:
By way of simplifying our correspondence, I am enclosing with a self-addressed envelope a questionnaire I have prepared with regard to the 1926-S double eagle, for appropriate checking. [The questionnaire asks whether John J. Pittman was the buyer for a certain specimen of the 1926-S double eagle, whether the lowest quotation to him was $2,500, $2,750, or $3,000 and whether it went to a dealer or a private collector.]
It was indeed good to see you and DiBello [Gaston DiBello, a prominent New York collector] again.
Hon. R. Henry Norweb
May 7, 1954
Dear Harry:
I enjoyed visiting with you and Gaston Dibello in Milwaukee.
However, I am sure the visit would have been more enjoyable if your wife had been present ....
I am enclosing in this envelope the 1865-S quarter that was purchased in the sale at Milwaukee.
I have filled out the questionnaire with regard to the 1926-S double eagle, and I would like to add the following: I went to the dealer and looked at the piece, and the price was still $3,000. I also observed the piece very carefully and determined that there was a heavy cut in one of the letters on the obverse. I decided that it would be better not to buy the piece. I hope that you concur.
I then decided to try to find out if any other 1926-S double eagles were available. After considerable discussion, I found out that one party on the West Coast has three 1926-S double eagles. I have arranged to see if one and possibly two can be made available, also at a price less than $3,000. (By the way, one was sold in Chicago in May 1953 for less than $2,000.) Therefore, I feel that we should be able to obtain a choice 1926-S double eagle for you if we take our time.
For some time I have felt sure that some of the United States double eagles are being counterfeited outside of the United States. When I looked at the 1926-S double eagle, the same dealer mentioned that he had some of the European counterfeit double eagles and showed me specimens dated 1898 and 1921. I questioned the genuineness of the 1926-S. He maintained it was genuine. At the same time he also showed me another double eagle in the 1920s that was stated to be false (by a Paris banker). The dealer was not sure. The same dealer stated he was not planning to sell any of these counterfeits. Therefore, I think one must be very careful when purchasing any of the very rare United States double eagles to be sure that mintmarks have not been added or that the piece is not an out and out counterfeit.
Please give my regards to your wife. I shall be looking forward to seeing both of you in Cleveland in August.
Sincerely yours,
John