Donn Pearlman writes:

David T. Alexander writes:

To read the complete TAMS article on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
TAMS Journal, Vol. 13, No. 4 Part II
TAMS Journal, Token and Medal Society (1973) (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/525686?page=10)

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
EDWIN J. REITER (1938-2017) (http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n35a06.html)
CHARLES J. RICARD (1930-2017) (http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n35a05.html)

Over the years I have visited Chicago a number of times. In the 1980s particularly, I have fond memories of numismatic books and libraries acquired there and even more so, of the fascinatingpeople who owned them.

On one early visit I visited Charles Ricard at his invitation. If memory serves, the main purpose of the trip was to secure the substantial library formed by Col. H.D. Davidson. That accomplished,I did visit and purchase some books from Charles, but mostly I remember his gracious hospitality... and an intricately carved antique Asian wooden chair. I guess I have a thing about numismatic chairs(in New Jersey, I bought and still have an adjustable wooden stool branded on the bottom: H.E. DEATS). The Asian chair was beautiful but its former owner is what impressed me. Charles Ricard's rootswere in upstate New York, long a hotbed of numismatic activity. Charles was close with Syracuse numismatist and coin dealer George J. Bauer and it was his (famous to me) keister that once occupiedit.

On another Chicago trip I obtained for sale the magnificent numismatic library formed by Michael A. Powills, an early highlight of my career. During this period, a visit with another well-knownChicago area collector, Chester Poderski, was also memorable on two fronts: a substantial mid-day meal graciously prepared from scratch by his 90+ year-old mother (T-bone steak with all the fixingsand homemade apple pie for dessert), followed by Chester proudly showing me his many hidey holes throughout the old three story house (Morgan dollars here, bullion there, rare coins everywhere). Ieven bought a few books.

Sorry to ramble but Chicago is a wonderful numismatic city (a later visit to the Rarcoa library, with Myron Xenos, is another fond memory). Anyway, Charles Ricard and I both attended nearly all ofthe ANA conventions from the late 70s onward (Charles attended many before then). Most years we ran in to each other and shared a pleasant conversation. Charles J. Ricard was a gentleman of the oldschool. His love of numismatics and its literature was infectious and enduring. I was honored to have known him.