Michael Hodder and Q. David Bowers
September 30, 1957
Dear Abner:
Your friendly note with its enclosure is appreciated. I'd like to go on the theory that short debts make long friends.
As for the 1802 dime, there was not really enough difference between the two specimens to warrant it. We are coming to realize that the collection, graded many years ago, will have to be advanced a notch or two to meet present day standards. A pleasant prospect I assure you.
In the course of the next few months we will work on a revised want list in the American series.
Yours Sincerely,
Hon. R. Henry Norweb
July 9, 1959
Dear Mr. Norweb:
I am enclosing as list of Gem Proof $20 gold pieces that I have just acquired.
Among other choice items, we also have a complete set of Wass Molitar gold, a complete set of Clark Gruber gold, and many other individual scarce items.
If any of these is of interest, please advise.
With best regards,
Sincerely,
Abner Kreisberg
The list included the following double eagles: 1859 $1,500, 1860 $1,450, 1862 $1,450, 1863 $1,450, 1864 $1,450, 1865 $1,750, 1866 $1,500, 1869 $1,500, 1872 $1,500, 1873 $1,400, 1874 $1,750, 1876 $1,300, 1881 $1,400, 1882 $1,450, 1883 $2,750, 1884 $2,750, 1885 $1,650, 1887 $1,950, 1888 $1,100, 1890 $1,100, 1892 $1,100, 1893 $1,100, 1895 $1,000, 1896 $1,000, 1897 $1,000, 1898 $1,000, 1899 $1,000, 1900 $1,000, 1901 $1,000, 1902 $1,000, 1903 $1,050, 1904 $1,000, 1906 $1,000, 1907 $1,000, 1908 $1,000, 1909 $1,000, 1910 $1,000, 1912 $1,000, 1913 $1,000, 1914 $1,100, and 1915 $1,200.
July 22, 1959
Dear Sir:
Mr. Norweb is away from Cleveland and your letter of the 9th will be forwarded as soon as he is long enough in one place for mail to catch up with him.
Very sincerely yours,
Secretary to Hon. R. Henry Norweb
October 29, 1957
Dear Abner:
In a recent letter you were good enough to ask for a want list.
About the only thing at present I am working on is United States gold, and I am trying to improve the 1915-S eagle and to find a 1927-D double eagle.
My son would be interested in any of the following in Uncirculated condition:
Half dimes: 1842-O, 1844-O, 1849-O, 1863, 1864, 1866, and all San Francisco Mint issues.
Dimes: 1845-O and 1856-S.
Quarters: 1841-O, 1851-O, 1858, 1860, 1864, 1872, and all San Francisco Mint issues.
Very sincerely yours,
Hon. R. Henry Norweb
B. Max Mehl
Without question, B. Max Mehl, who operated from his Mehl Building in Fort Worth, Texas, was America's most prominent rare coin dealer during the first half of the 20th century. Beginning business in 1903, he went on to conduct many important mail bid sales, which he styled as "auctions" (although no in person attendance was ever involved), including the Ten Eyck, Dunham, Atwater, Neil, and other offerings. He was best known for his Star Rare Coin Encyclopedia, which sold for $1 per copy, and which listed buying prices for the 1913 Liberty Head nickel, 1804 silver dollar, and other rarities. During the 1930s in particular he advertised the Star Rare Coin Encyclopedia heavily, and at one time he even featured it on his own radio program. The Fort Worth Post Office stated that well over 50% of the mail received during this period was directed to Mehl's coin business.
At the same time he was buying from the public, he was also actively engaged on the serious side of numismatics. A familiar face at national conventions, B. Max Mehl was well liked. At one time the American Numismatic Association gave him a special award for helping to promote the hobby.
During the 1950s, the period covered in the correspondence in the Norweb file, Mehl gradually retired from activity, passing away in 1957, after which time Mary Ferguson, secretary, carried on for a short time. Later, Mehl's estate was handled by Abe Kosoff.
October 12, 1953
My Dear B. Max:
Congratulations on your success in getting the New York collection. I knew the gentleman quite well, but largely in matters related to the bank's business in South America. I look forward to receiving the list of his collection, and of course to having your forthcoming auction sale catalogue hot off the press.
You will be glad to know that my wife has just gone over the top handsomely with her charity sale, netting nearly $50,000 for the Civic Gardens of Cleveland. Personally I hope it will be the last sale of its kind she will undertake, for it is the sort of thing which demands too much of her energies.
She joins me in regards to you both.
Very sincerely,
Hon. R. Henry Norweb
November 17, 1954
My Dear Mr. Norweb:
Thank you very much for your gracious note of the 15th just received.
Pleased to send you herewith for inspection Lot 3797 and of course will enter your bids on the other coins if I do not hear from you to the contrary.
Shall look forward with a great deal of pleasure to hearing from you and Mrs. Norweb with bids for any other items in the sale. I want to call your particular attention to Lot 1919, the Dubosq $10 gold piece. Mrs. Norweb told me [at the ANA Convention] in Cleveland that she is beginning to expand the pioneer section of your great collection. This is an opportunity to acquire a real great rarity at a fair price. I assure you that whatever bids you may send will be executed as faithfully asif you had yourself been present at the sale.
With kindest personal regards to both of you, as ever Sincerely yours,
B. Max Mehl
April 11, 1955
My Dear B. Max:
It is ages since we have heard from you and we are wondering if all goes well and if there will be a chance of seeing you either at Detroit or New York or both. It is strange to be so well into the new year without the collection having benefitted by any new additions from you. The last we had was some colonial material at your last sale, and we are wondering when you are likely to have another first-class offering.
In any event do let us have your news, and with best regards to you from both of us
Very sincerely,
Hon. R. Henry Norweb
November 10, 1955
My Dear B. Max:
It was good to pick up the phone this morning and to chat with you about the quarter dollar series. As promised, here is a list of the branch mints in which we are especially interested. [1840-O, 1841-O, 1842-O, 1844-O, 1847-O, 1851-O, 1852-O, 1856-S, 1857-O, 1858-S, 1859-O, 1860-S, 1864-S, 1867-S, 1868-S, 1871-S, 1873-S, 1874-S, 1875-S, and 1891-O] I know you will do the best you can for us.
Happily, we have a nice example of the 1855-O quarter.
Sincerely yours,
Hon. R. Henry Norweb