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NEWMAN PAPERS REVEAL 1792 U.S. MINT DOCUMENTNewman Numismatic Portal Project Coordinator Len Augsburger provided the following report on a recent find. Thanks. -Editor
Numismatic tidbits are endless in the Newman papers, and, while processing the “S” files, we ran across an interesting exchange between Eric P. Newman and Sotheby’s in London. In a 1970 sale of autograph letters and historical documents, Sotheby’s described lot 548 of their May sale as follows: WASHINGTON, GEORGE to THOMAS JEFFERSON: written as President, ABOUT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED STATES MINT, recommending that the site for it (“the Lots of Houses which are offered for sale”) should be purchased rather than rented, etc., integral second leaf addressed “Mr. Jefferson” in Washington’s hand … Newman wrote to Sotheby’s on June 12, 1970 requesting a photocopy of the Washington letter. Sotheby’s demurred on June 16, explaining “I am afraid I cannot send you a photo-copy of the letter as this is an unpublished document and it is a rule of the firm in this case not to give out photocopies to protect the potential buyer. The estimate on this lot is £600-800.” Today, of course, one simply visits the Founders Online site, and the full text of the letter is immediately revealed. This site has gathered together the edited papers and correspondence of Washington, Jefferson, and others instrumental in the birth of the United States. This particular Washington letter currently resides in the Gilder Lehrman collection at the New-York Historical Society (N-YHS), so it seems likely the letter was purchased out of the Sotheby’s sale and later donated to the N-YHS. The full text reads: To Thomas Jefferson [Philadelphia] Saturday June 9th [17]92 Dear Sir, I am in sentiment with you & the Director of the Mint, respecting the purchase of the Lots & Houses which are offered for Sale in preference to Renting—as the latter will certainly exceed the Interest of the former. That all the applications may be brought to view, & considered, for Coining &ca; Mr Lear will lay the letters and engravings before you to be Shewn to the Director of the Mint. I have no other
object or wish in doing it than to obtain the best. Yrs &ca Link to Newman/Sotheby’s correspondence on Newman Portal: Link to Washington letter on Founders Online: Wayne Homren, Editor The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org. To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum All Rights Reserved. NBS Home Page Contact the NBS webmaster 
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