The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 41, October 14, 2007, Article 11

MORE ARLIE SLABAUGH REMEMBRANCES

Alan V. Weinberg writes: "If Arlie Slabaugh contracted 
meningitis in 1941, allegedly inducing his deafness, how 
does that explain his speech being that of a child-contracted 
deafness? In 1941, Arlie would have been about 20 and his 
speech would have been long perfected. Perhaps George Fuld, 
his longtime friend, can clear up this discrepancy? Like 
Cliff Mishler, I fondly recall the 'notebook conversations' 
at shows that I had with Arlie."

George Fuld writes: "I knew Arlie for about 50 years. 
Although I never discussed it with him, I assumed his 
handicap persisted from he was an infant. Sorry I can't 
be more helpful."

Neil Shafer writes: "With regard to my dear friend for many 
years, Arlie, he and I met many times at various conventions 
where we always found a great deal to 'talk' about; he was 
always ready with note pads and we wrote page after page 
together. I became aware of his position with Numismatic 
Scrapbook shortly after joining Whitman in 1962, and it 
was clear he had a lot to do with the great success of that 
magazine. Lee Hewitt had a real numismatist working as 
typesetter and author (and often as ghost-writer) for quite 
a number of years. I wonder of Lee ever really appreciated 
what he had with Arlie. In any case I shall surely miss 
him and his very high degree of broadly based numismatic 
scholarship and knowledge." 

Dick Johnson writes: "Lee Hewitt told me this about Arlie 
Slabaugh. John and Nancy Wilson mentioned Arlie worked for 
Lee on the Numismatic Scrapbook beginning in 1954 in last 
week's E-Sylum. Lee said Arlie would write articles -- 
with maybe some notes but no typed text -- right at the 
Linotype. Setting an article in hot type! That's confidence! 

"Arlie was a crackerjack Linotype operator. But I cannot 
imagine writing an article in one shot. Pow! That's it. 
Not when I have to rewrite everything a dozen times. But 
to compose everything in your mind and set the text in 
type where it must be letter perfect the first time -- 
context, grammar, syntax, Linotype technical requirements, 
keyboard strokes -- in addition to the text you are typing 
-- all that in your mind at the same time!

"Perhaps his deafness was an asset as a Linotype operator. 
No distractions. Still, that does not detract from this 
amazing skill.

"On another occasion, when I visited Franklin Mint, I had 
an appointment with an FM vice president and when I showed 
up in person he blew me off, wouldn't see me. Not to waste 
the trip I asked the receptionist to see Arlie Slabaugh. 
'Who?' she asked, 'we don't have anyone here by that name.'

"'Arlie Slabaugh, he is deaf.' 'Oh, Arlie,' then she knew 
who I meant. Arlie had long worked for Franklin Mint. But 
this was after Joe Segal had left the firm and new owners 
had dismissed dozens of people, including Arlie. But as 
the archivist at Franklin Mint who had cataloged all Franklin 
Mint issues he returned frequently to keep the archives up 
to date, as an unpaid activity! That's dedication!

"Just as I was shifting from one foot to the other in 
front of the receptionist's desk, who should walk in but 
Arlie himself! Surprised to see me -- we had known each 
other for perhaps twenty years -- we sat in the reception 
area and 'chatted.'

"Arlie could read my lips and I could understand his 
guttural speech -- he was not mute -- but occasionally I 
could tell he did not understand what I said, so I would 
reach for the note pad and clarify my statements. Genuine 
numismatist, great writer, longtime collector, fine person, 
Arlie we will all miss you. I am glad I got some things 
from his library in Charlie Davis' March 2002 auction. 
I will long remember Arlie Slabaugh."

NUISMATIC WRITER, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER ARLIE SLABAUGH DIES
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REMEMBRANCES OF ARLIE SLABAUGH
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  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

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