Michael Hodder and Q. David Bowers
May 10, 1955
My Dear Eric:
We are just about set to leave and as you asked for information of our trip, here it is.
We sail on the Elizabeth May 18th, will be staying at Claridge's in London probably returning on the Elizabeth June 9th. I shall be delighted to get in touch with any contacts you may have and to do anything I can for you there.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. R. Henry Norweb
August 22, 1955
Dear Mrs. Norweb:
My wife and I have just returned from a delightful trip to Europe. We drove through Yugoslavia, finally got back to London to indulge in a little culture, and to do a little coin research. I visited the British Museum and was delighted to see many of their wonderful pieces. Of course I made the rounds of the coin dealers and enjoyed meeting many of them for the first time.
This is, therefore, merely a renewal of our attempt to try to get together, since I will not be at the convention, so any time the spirit moves you do not hesitate to let me know.
I purchased an item at Seaby's, in London, with the thought you might want it, but please do not feel, for a moment, that you should buy this coin if it doesn't interest you. I already had one and it occurred to me that you might enjoy one. The coin is a 1774 English gold sovereign, in Proof condition, in the original case; the price being 13 pounds 10 shillings. The reason I think the coin is interesting is because the obverse die on the Virginia shilling, a specimen of which you have, is apparently the obverse die of a British gold sovereign of 1774. It has always befuddled me as to why the obverse of the Virginia shilling does not contain the word "Rex" and the 1774 Virginia reverse does not either. I have concluded that since only one 1774 Virginia reverse was made, and no Virginia obverses were unbroken then, they merely used one of the obverses for a sovereign to strike the Virginia shilling. You may already have such a sovereign.
In any event, rejuvenate your ideas on the visit.
Sincerely yours,
Eric P. Newman
September 7, 1955
My Dear Eric:
I was delighted to receive your letter of August 22nd and to hear something of your trip to London. I know it must have been
lots of fun and that you brought back a great quantity of knowledge probably as well as coins.
Thank you for the English gold sovereign of 1774. I am delighted to have it and think it was exceedingly kind of you to think of me. Do I owe you $37.80? This may not be correct as I do not know the actual rate which you were using. Please tell me if it comes to more.
Indeed I certainly shall rejuvenate my ideas on coming to St. Louis. We did not go the the Omaha convention but instead I went to Chicago and spent three days in a bank vault looking at Brand coins. What treasures Virgil collected!
Again many thanks for the sovereign.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. R. Henry Norweb
January 22, 1957
My Dear Mr. Newman:
My wife and I have found your monograph on Virginia coinage [published by the American Numismatic Society, New York] a valued contribution to real numismatics, and I congratulate you on a well presented publication.
Since the monograph will be a permanent part of our library I would like to have it bound, but before sending it to the bindery I would greatly appreciate your kindness in autographing it for my wife.
I hope that some day our paths will cross, numismatically or otherwise.
Sincerely yours,
Hon. R. Henry Norweb
January 25, 1957
Dear Mr. Norweb:
Thank you for your nice comments concerning my recent monograph on Virginia coinage. It is particularly gratifying to receive encouragement of this sort from real numismatists and it encourages one to continue research.
I have autographed and am sending the monograph under separate cover.
I look forward to the day when I can see some of the interesting things your wife has and when I can have the pleasure of showing you both some of the interesting things which I have.
My wife and I are still bubbling from a most exciting trip to Egypt and East Africa. We went on a safari so that all of the animals could have a good look at us. I think you might enjoy our pictures in spite of the fact that you have been practically everywhere yourself.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely yours,
Eric P. Newman