I just received my copy of A Concise Catalog of U.S. Military Payment Certificates by Carlson Chambliss.

I like the book, partly because it is the first MPC reference book I know of with color illustrations. The title page says SPECKLES PRESS - which I wondered about. Carlson explains in his introduction: "This is a self-published book. Who then was the Speckles of the Speckles Press? He was my pet king snake whom I had for 20 years from 1973-93." Did I mention that Carlson, a retired astronomy professor, is somewhat of an eccentric? That's a trait that I admire in a person, and with which I can personally identify.

This book in no way is, nor attempts to be, a replacement for The Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates by Fred Schwan. By calling this latest MPC book a Concise Catalog, rather than a Comprehensive Catalog, Carlson is saying that he is sticking to the subject of MPC only.However, he violates that premise to the extent that he also includes military POGS near the end of this 150 page, soft covered book. The Schwan book, last published in 2002, remains the standard reference on the subject.

All-in-all this book is a well-researched and well written reference on the subject of MPC. I recommend it. Don't you agree with me that all reference books on paper money should have color illustrations? And, you can never have too many books!

Warner writes:

David Klinger adds:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:NEW BOOK: A CONCISE CATALOG OF U. S. MILITARY PAYMENT CERTIFICATES(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n21a06.html)