NEW BOOK: ABEL BUELL AND THE CONNECTICUT AND FUGIO COINAGES

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V18 2015 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 18, Number 29, July 19, 2015, Article 7

NEW BOOK: ABEL BUELL AND THE CONNECTICUT AND FUGIO COINAGES

The below information about a new book on American colonial coinage was assembled from multiple sources; thanks to Charlie Davis, Jim Rosen and author Chris McDowell for assistance. -Editor

The Colonial Coin Collectors Club announces the latest in its series of publications - Abel Buell and the History of the Connecticut and Fugio Coinages by Christopher R. McDowell. The author examines motivations, achievements and failures of the man Jim Spillman called the single most important figure of Colonial American numismatics. The work, large format, black cloth, dust jacket, 230 pages and well illustrated in color is available for $85.00 (plus $7.25 if shipped) from Charles Davis, P.O. Box 1, Wenham Mass 01984.

Here are some testimonials and an author bio from the book's dust jacket. -Editor

“Past writers have portrayed Abel Buell as the single most important figure in Colonial American numismatics. Further details regarding the life and multiple careers of this famous Connecticut Yankee are now available in this new, expanded biography of ‘Our American Genius’ by Christopher R. McDowell. This is an informative read for any enthusiast of the Revolutionary and Pre-federal periods, be their interest in numismatics, economy, metallurgy, printing, or history.”

Dr. Philip L. Mossman
Numismatic Researcher and Author

“Chris McDowell presents a comprehensive and compelling reassessment of the career of Abel Buell. There are many new discoveries to be found throughout the pages of this fascinating work. It is essential reading for anyone with an interest in either Connecticut or Fugio coppers, or someone curious about the foundations of early American industry.”

Louis Jordan
Curator of Numismatic Collections
University of Notre Dame

“…. A great book and a must read for the Connecticut and Fugio copper students.”

Jim Rosen
President
Colonial Coin Collectors Club, Inc.

Every now and then historians consider a subject “done,” and no longer worthy of research since all that is known has already been written. More often than not, the subject is far from done and it falls to the non-professional researcher to find new information and make us all look at the subject with new eyes. Such is the case with Christopher McDowell’s new work on Abel Buell, rightly called an American genius.

McDowell deftly separates fact from myth, dismantling some long-held beliefs and paints a portrait of Buell that encompasses FAR more than his involvement with early American coinage. If you are interested in numismatics, early American silver, early weaponry, printing technology, the beginnings of American industry or just want to read the life of a truly original Yankee, then this is a book that will be devoured from cover to cover!”

Jeff Rock
Numismatic Dealer

Christopher McDowell is a lifelong numismatist and recognized expert in the area of colonial coinage with an emphasis on Connecticut coppers. He has written several award winning articles on numismatic topics and this current work grew from Chris’ interest in the Connecticut Mint and the man who designed and struck America’s first official coins.

A graduate of Marshall University and West Virginia University College of Law, Chris served as an officer in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps and was stationed in Korea, Germany, Bosnia, and Kansas. Chris practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lives with his wife Annah and three children.

Here's the table of contents (minus page numbers, for readability here). This is an impressive compilation of information. I'm looking forward to the book. -Editor

Introduction

Part I: THE EARLY YEARS

Chapter 1: The Master’s Apprentice
Chapter 2: Crime and Punishment
Chapter 3: Abel Buell Invents a Lapidary Machine and is Pardoned

Part II: EARLY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN CONNECTICUT

Chapter 4: Steel Production in Connecticut During the Colonial Period
Chapter 5: Abel Buell Establishes America’s First English Type Foundry

Part III: NEW HAVEN

Chapter 6: Abel Buell Sets up Shop in New Haven
Chapter 7: Master Engraver
Chapter 8: Abel Buell’s Second Marriage
Chapter 9: Florida
Chapter 10: Return from Exile
Chapter 11: Privateering
Chapter 12: Other Business Ventures
Chapter 13: Abel Buell’s Third Wife and Rumors of a Fourth
Chapter 14: Abel Buell Reopens His Type Foundry
Chapter 15: Abel Buell Engraves the First Map of the United States of America
Chapter 16: The Churches on the Green

Part IV: CONNECTICUT COPPER COINAGE

Chapter 17: The Problem of Counterfeiting and the Need for a Mint
Chapter 18: The Original Mint Petitioners
Chapter 19: The Connecticut Mint Inspectors
Chapter 20: The Company for Coining Coppers
Chapter 21: Abel Buell’s Coin Press
Chapter 22: Abel Buell Engraves the Dies for the Connecticut
Coppers
Chapter 23: The Men Who Assisted Buell with the Connecticut Copper Dies and Buell’s Connection with Some of the Dies Used by the Vermont Mint
Chapter 24: Changes in Ownership of the Connecticut Mint
Chapter 25: The Mark Leavenworth Mint Lease
Chapter 26: James Jarvis Takes Control of the Connecticut Mint

Part V: THE FUGIO COINAGE

Chapter 27: James Jarvis and Samuel Broome
Chapter 28: The Fugio Contract
Chapter 29: Trouble With Copper
Chapter 30: Abel Buell Engraves the Fugio Dies
Chapter 31: James Jarvis’ Efforts to Find a Backer in Europe
Chapter 32: James Jarvis Returns to America and Explains his Failure to Congress
Chapter 33: The End of the Fugio Story
Chapter 34: The State Inquest Into the Connecticut Mint
Chapter 35: Major Eli Leavenworth’s Use of the Connecticut Mint
Chapter 36: Benjamin Buell and the End of the Connecticut Mint

Part VI: INDUSTRIAL ESPIONAGE AND THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY

Chapter 37: Abel Buell Leaves for Europe
Chapter 38: America’s Early Cotton Industry
Chapter 39: Abel Buell’s Cotton Mill
Chapter 40: Abel Buell Falls on Hard Times
Chapter 41: Onions and Ideas

Part VII: CAVALRY SABERS

Chapter 42: Trouble With France
Chapter 43: Buel &Greenleaf
Chapter 44: Abel Buell’s Third Wife Dies

Part VIII: THE FINAL YEARS

Chapter 45: Stockbridge
Chapter 46: Return to New Haven

Acknowledgments
Bibliography of Sources
Index
Appendix

For more information, or to order, see:
MCDOWELL, ABEL BUELL AND THE HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT AND FUGIO COPPERS (www.vcoins.com/en/stores/charles_davis/44/product/
mcdowell_abel_buell_and_the_history_of_the_connecticut
_and_fugio_coppers/599393/Default.aspx)

THE BOOK BAZARRE

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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

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