In March and August of this year, I had the incredible opportunity to visit the Dansco manufacturing plant in Sumas, Washington. During my two visits, the husband-and-wife team of Steve and Leticia Bruce graciously welcomed me into their facility and answered many questions from collectors.

Walking through their factory floor revealed a treasure trove of numismatic history. As a researcher dedicated to the history of both Dansco and the broader world of coin albums, it was an unforgettable experience.

The Dansco family has asked me to maintain the privacy of their internal operations, so I am not able to share pictures of the production process. However, I can share this humorous photo I took right outside their entrance.

Unraveling Dansco's History
Piecing together Dansco's early days is a fascinating puzzle. The company has a rich family legacy, starting with co-founders Paul Bruce and a partner named Daniel in 1937. The history of who Daniel was is part of my ongoing research. Paul's son, John Bruce, took over operations in 1959, and the third generation, Steve Bruce, took the helm in the 1990s. Beyond the family, I was able to confirm several other historical details:

Design, Philosophy & Operations
Collectors often notice minor changes to folders and albums over the years. I got to ask about the logic behind some of these details and their business philosophy.

Niche Products & Lost Histories
Beyond their main U.S. coin series, Dansco has a history of unique and surprising projects.

After the Flood
The family is still dealing with the ramifications of the major flood that hit Sumas in late 2021. The flood devastated the entire production floor, and I could still see the water stains on the walls. For a moment, the family feared that the company wouldn't be able to weather the storm. It's a testament to their resilience that they are back up and running, although they are still operating below their maximum production capacity.

The Future of Dansco
Perhaps the most exciting part of my visits was getting a sneak peek at what's coming next. Here's what collectors can look forward to:

A Call for Community Feedback!
Best of all, Dansco is actively exploring the potential for a Volume 2 of the #7070 U.S. Type Set album. They are inviting collectors to share what coins and series they would like to see included.

This is a fantastic opportunity for us to have a direct impact on the next version of the #7070 U.S. Type Set album. If you have ideas, please send them directly to Dansco at danscocorp@aol.com.

The Ongoing Search
This report covers everything I can share for now, but the research continues! There are still many outstanding questions to answer, such as the logic behind early folder color choices and who Daniel in Daniel Stamp Company was. I am continuing to work with the family to find these answers. Hopefully, a third visit is in store for the future.