Back in the late 1970s, I was in the early stages of my numismatic life and very few people knew me. I had just published the second edition of my France (French Southeast Asia Coins & Currency) catalog in 1978. My wife and I were in Heidelberg, Germany, at the time because I was still in the U.S. Army and stationed there.

We decided to make a visit to Munich and made reservations at the U.S. military hotel in the city. I had heard about Dr. Pick and the newKrause Publications' Standard Catalog of World Paper Money by him so I decided to take a chance and send a letter asking to meet him. Hequickly answered my letter and told me he would be happy to meet me and that he would show me Southeast Asia paper money of interest to me. Iconfirmed the date and time, and we drove down to Munich.

I called him from the hotel and a taxi ride later, we were in the bank and being escorted to his office. Dr. Pick's wife was also there and took Phung away on a walking/shopping trip near the bank so she would not be bored with our talking and looking at paper money. Fantastic! We had a couple of hours together and he treated me like an equal. I will never forget his kindness and absolute willingness to share his knowledge with me. And then his wife escorting my wife around Munich too! It was a wonderful visit for both of us.

One of these days, I hope to meet him, and other good guys and gals in numismatics, again on the "other side."

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
WORLD PAPER MONEY AUTHOR ALBERT PICK PASSES AT 93 (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v18n48a10.html)
ALBERT PICK (1922-2015) (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v18n50a12.html)