I am a numismatic researcher/writer and dealer specializing in paper money. I have enjoyed the recent articles on copyrights and also the article in this month's Numismatist, because I have a problem of my own. I have done a lot of searching around already, but I would kindly ask if anyone knows of any resources to find about numismatic publishing companies from the past and how to find out who owns the copyrights (if anyone) for a given book.

The company I am trying to find is Shirjieh Publishers. They were active in the late 60's and 70's I believe. I would truly appreciate any information that can be provided.

Shirjieh was incorporated in Menlo Park, California. The specific book I am looking for information on is Chinese Banknotes by Ward Smith and Brian Matravers, published in 1970. I do not know of any other books published under the Shirjieh name, although there is another company by the name of Chenby Publishers also from Menlo Park that published a book called Coins of the Philippines by Aldo Basso in 1968. Could the two companies (Shirjieh & Chenby) be related? Thanks for any help your readers can provide.