The 8th Annual Society of Paper Money Collectors Authors Forum will be held on June 10, noon-2p.m. in the Marriott Heritage Ballroom during the upcoming Memphis International Paper Money Show. The event is part of SPMC's golden 50th anniversary celebration. "The Welcome Mat is out," said SPMC President Mark Anderson, who will greet attendees at the event. The event is free to the public.

Speakers for the forum are diverse and promise something of interest to all collectors, noted forum organizer Fred Reed. "Once again we've got a stellar lineup of authors eager to tell about their new books and share their insights into the book publishing process with prospective authors and other readers," Reed added.

Leading off the forum will be Confederate Currency authority Pierre Fricke. Fricke, author of several successful CSA titles in recent years, will present an illustrated survey of his new title "The History of Collecting Confederate Paper Money," coauthored with Bank Note Reporter columnist Fred Reed. In fact, the root of the book is the series of articles Reed contributed to BNR in his "Shades of the Blue & Grey" column during 2004-2007.

Noted Southeast Asia specialist and author Howard Daniel will speak on his new "Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Coins & Currency." Daniel is author of a series of books on Vietnamese numismatics. The Army veteran splits his time between homes in Virginia and Viet Nam. It took censors in Hanoi months to clear the new book for publication and sale in Viet Nam, Daniel reported.

In keeping with the theme of the convention, Past Token & Medal Society President Bob Leonard will discuss the paper aspects of his wonderful new book on curious forms of exchange, "Curious Currency: The Story of Money from the Stone Age to the Internet Age." An expert on primitive money, curious currency in the author's view includes "paper" money materials, counterfeits, bills of exchange, checks, notes payable in labor, encased stamps and other items.

F&W Publications paper money guru Bill Brandimore will discuss new projects simmering on the stove in far off Iola, WI including the latest edition of the "Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money." Brandimore and George Cuhaj are responsible for the lively and colorful catalog. Brandimore also writes a column and provides price guide commentary on the U.S. series for Bank Note Reporter.

Noted World War II and military currency specialist Fred Schwan will be on hand to discuss his colorful new work "World War II United States Savings Bonds and Stamps." This new reference is co-authored by Larry Smulczenski, James Downey and Mark Watson. The work debuted at this Spring's MPCFest.

Bringing up the rear in the lineup will be BNR columnist Fred Reed, who will discuss the upcoming sequel to his 2009 book on Lincoln numismatics for Old Abe's Bicentennial. The new work, "Abraham Lincoln: Beyond the American Icon," gives Reed a chance to develop the themes he introduced in his original Lincoln book. Reed's research has shown that Lincoln's money images are normative in advertising, media, and popular culture. "The Lincoln on the money, is the Lincoln people know best," Reed said.

As in recent past years, the Forum will be kept lively by emcee author and raconteur Wendell Wolka. "The Forum is free. Come on up to the ballroom at noon on Friday and share an enjoyable break from your hectic show schedule," Wolka suggested.

For a half century SPMC has been an international group of hobbyists that fosters collecting and study of bank notes and other paper collectibles. Dues are only $30 annually for U.S. addresses. Others inquire. Members receive the Society's award-winning, bimonthly journal "Paper Money." For information on SPMC, contact Membership Director Frank Clark, P.O. Box 117060, Carrollton, TX 75011-7060.