I achieved something this week that would likely go unnoticed by most in the hobby, but it was memorable for me. I added two missing titles to my collection of First Edition Whitman coin folders, leaving me with just tworemaining to complete it. The newly acquired folders were No. 9022, HALF CENT COLLECTION 1793 to 1857 and No. 9020, MORGAN HALF DOLLAR LIBERTY HEAD COLLECTION 1904 to 1915. To date, these are the only examples I've everseen.

As indicated on the end flap of the folder in the attached photos, there were a total of 22 titles in Whitman's First Edition of coin folders. All but five of these had been part of the Whitman line of 11" x14" coin boards, and most titles were discontinued in board form when the folders debuted in 1941.

The First Edition folders are identifiable by their deeply textured cover paper, which a fellow collector describes as "lizard skin." Unlike later folders, this paper was somewhat glossy when new, and it'sextremely rare to find examples that retain this shine. The onset of World War II brought with it rationing of most materials, including paper. Whitman was forced to shift to a cheaper cover stock that was plainer in patternand matte in finish. The First Edition folders were in production only during 1941 and the opening months of 1942, accounting for their great rarity.

At present the only titles still lacking in my collection of First Edition folders are No. 9023, SILVER THREE CENT COLLECTION 1851 to 1873 and No. 9019, MORGAN HALF DOLLAR LIBERTY HEAD COLLECTION 1892 to 1903. The firstof these may never be found, since it was a poor seller in any edition, though I entertain hope of finding the half dollar title.

The folder in the photos was annotated by its original owner, who wrote what I assume to be the date of acquisition and source for several of his coins. While some would consider this folder to be defaced, I'm pleasedto have this personalized piece of coin hobby history.

To read earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
LANGE'S COIN COLLECTOR BOARD BOOK ARRIVES (http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v10n38a07.html)
NEW BOOK: COIN COLLECTING ALBUMS, VOLUME ONE (http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n32a02.html)
BOOK REVIEW: COIN COLLECTING ALBUMS, VOLUME TWO (http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v19n31a12.html)

To visit Dave's web site, see:
http://www.coincollectingboards.com/