RITTENHOUSE HALF DISMES REENACTMENT ANSWER

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V24 2021 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 24, Number 38, September 19, 2021, Article 14

Regarding a photo of a re-enactment of Mint Director David Rittenhouse presenting Half Dismes to Martha Washington, Pete Smith asked, "... we offer the E-Sylum Smarty-Pants Award to the first reader who can identify the actors shown in the photo. Extra points to the reader who can identify the event where the photo was taken." -Editor

"An NLG Bash skit by the grand ladies of the ANA - not in any order, I am good guessing at Margo Russell, Eva Adams, Mary Brooks, not too sure of Virginia Culver. Sorry, do not know the convention date."

"Well, that has to be Margo Russell holding the tray, with Catherine Bullowa in the back center and Virginia Culver at far left. I would guess that it was at the Numismatic Literary Guild Bash at the 1969 ANA convention in Philadelphia, just a bit before I joined either the ANA or Coin World."

"I doubt I will win the Smarty Pants Award but maybe I will be one of the runner ups. Is this from the same event as Pete Smith's photo? I found it in the November 1976 Numismatist"

Margo Russell was the only performer I recognized, and while I figured it was a liquor-fueled NLG Bash cosplay event, I had no details or proof. George was warmer, Tom was smokin' hot, and Julia nailed it with proof from The Numismatist.

Pete asked players to "identify the actors" and no one until Julia had all six names. A very tough test. While recollection from memory is impressive, it's not required. This is an open book test, and Julia's Numismatist article had all six names.

Here's Pete's answer. -Editor

The Grand Ladies of the NLG were a popular feature at the annual NLG Bash during the 1970's. The reenactment of Rittenhouse and the 1792 half dismes was presented at the ANA convention in New York. The NLG Bash that year was held in the Regency Ballroom of the Americana Hotel on Friday, August 28, 1976. It was an elaborate production with outfits from local costume supply houses.

The photo caption identifies the women. By 1976, three of them had already received the NLG Clemy award: Margo Russell in 1971, Virginia Culver in 1972 and Eva Adams in 1974. The ANA Farran Zerbe Award was presented to Margo Russell in 1975 and to Virginia Culver in 1987. Russell and Adams are in the ANA Numismatic Hall of Fame.

Lesser known were Polly Dodson, wife of Rear Admiral Oscar Dodson, past ANA president; Betty Medlar, wife of award winning dealer, Bob Medlar; and P. M. (Pearl Mae) Williams, described as staff assistant and companion of Eva Adams. In 1981, Betty Medlar was named Great Lady of the ANA.

Attendance at the 1976 event was more than 500. How many of those are still alive and active in the hobby today? Do they look back at those as better times when numismatics was fun or do the think that times are better now? I would be interested in reading comments from anyone who was there.

I conferred with Pete, and being the first to have names of all the actors, Julia wins the E-Sylum Smarty Pants Award. Tom came in second by just a teensy bit. Julia scored the extra point for guessing the 1976 convention. too. George at least had the "Grand Ladies" slogan, so we'll award him an extra credit, too. Thanks, everyone! This was fun. -Editor

"Wow! I thought I would be too late. I'm going to print this out and safety-pin it to my shirt for the rest of the day!"

"While writing this summary, I came up with two more Smarty-Pants questions.

1. What Great Lady of the ANA lived to be 100?
2. What Great Lady of the ANA was lead singer of the Buddy Brock Band?"