A recent purchase on eBay of several items in a single lot included the attached issue of The Westerner, an employee newsletter put out by Western Publishing Company,Inc. That was the parent company of which Whitman Coin Products was a division. This copy is Volume 1, Issue 4, April 1995, and since acquiring it I've been seeking additionalissues without success. A search on "The Westerner" produces mostly cowboy hats, motels and comic books.

It was in 1995 that Western vacated its landmark Racine, Wisconsin building, letting go many employees in the process. Whitman albums and folders were thereafter publishedunder the Golden Books name for about three years, and indeed the longest article in this issue pertains to growing the Golden Books brand. The front cover shares this study witha piece about when Western received the ANA's Medal of Merit award in 1990 and then, more recently, its Presidential Award. Both the company and longtime employee Ed Metzgerwere given this award, and Ed's smiling face is seen on the front cover. A sidebar story features Richard S. Yeo and recounts his accomplishments with the company yearsearlier. Aside from this there's no numismatic content, though I did spot Kurt Krueger within a group photo of the Diversified Deviations Team!