Gram Completes 25th Year
The publication year for the MPCGram runs from Veterans Day to Veterans Day in recognition of our special publication theme. The Gram began publishing in 2000. Today starts our 26th year!
The idea to use Veterans Day as the anchor of the Gram publication year was suggested by Brad Peacock. Brad has since died. He was a great collector and is greatly missed.
California Dreamin'
by Steve Feller
As reported by Louise Boling, Ray and I recently presented at the ANA show ("Money Talks") on money used at Japanese-American Internment Camps of WWII. Shown here are examples of the money used that was discovered by us at the Japanese-American National Museum in Little Tokyo Los Angeles. Also, we visited the sites of two "Assembly Centers" at Santa Anita Racetrack and the Pomona Fairgrounds. These sites held thousands of people.
The first four pictures are of us in the archives at the museum. The next picture is us at Santa Anita. Next is followed at Santa Anita by pictures of the barracks now the stables! Ray had to sneak the camera through a hedge as the site was off limits. An elaborate system of scrip was used in the Assembly Centers and then in the subsequent Relocation Camps. More on this later. Research in the field is great.
The archivist Jaime with boxes of artifacts relating to money in the Japanese-American camps.
Steve examining and photographing camp money. Ray examines artifacts.
Ray examines artifacts.
Steve and Ray at the Japanese American Museum in Little Tokyo.
Steve and Ray at Santa Anita Race Track.
Ray photographed the site of the barracks of the camp through a hedge.
Ray in the hedges photographing the former camp site.
OPA ration coupon used in the camps.
Shoe certificate for the Heart Mountain camp
Scrip from an Enemy Alien Camp in Lordsburg, New Mexico
Camp Mess Hall Ration Card
Editorial
Can it really be 25 years since the first publication of the Gram? Of course it has been, it just does not seem possible. It seems equally impossible that the 26th MPCFest is looming. Those milestones are not so spectacular -- I have been a collector for 65 years! I sure hope to make it to the diamond anniversary of my collecting affliction.
We continue to have reports of missing Grams. I am not sure of the problem. In the next Gram I hope to have a partial solution. I plan on giving you the address to sign up for the Gram so that you can possibly sign up with an additional address. I also hope to give the link where you can find all of the old Grams. Having to look for a Gram is not as good as having it arrive in your inbox, but it is far better than no Gram!
Mail Call
The MPCGram welcomes letters from readers. Letters should be relevant to military numismatics. Letters may be edited. Senders must be known to the Gram and names (actual or "fictional") will be used.
Dear MPCGram Editor,
Here is an idea for a Veterans Day activity for Festers and Gramsters. Watch the documentary, "The Girl That Wore Freedom."
This documentary does not have a numismatic connection. But it does express the deep gratitude and highest appreciation that the people of Normandy have for the American Veterans of D-Day.
— John Phipps
Dear Gram,
Today is Veterans Day. Eighty years ago my father was in the Army as a hospital orderly whereas my mom was a USO hostess. As a result of which I write this letter.
I have my mother's USO pin in my collection. I also have other ephemera. These will be passed down to the youngest Feller Fest generation.
It is important that we honor veterans on this special day. Thank you veterans.
— Steve
Dear Ed,
I attach pics of 2 notes I came across recently -- I am sure you will have listed these in WWII Remembered Ed. 2 as the $2 is close to number 406 in the first edition, but, with Arabic back. The £1 C78A is number 193 in the first edition, but, the first time I have ever had one -- I did once have the same but with Italian on the back. I hope to bring along to the FUN show in January.
— Pam West
Training Schedule
2024 shows
2025
- ANA National Money Show, Feb 27-1 March 2025
- GNA Show, 11-13 April
- MPC Fest 2025 dates -- 4-6 April
- Michigan State NS -- April 10-12
- ANA World's Fair of Money -- 19-23 Aug, Oklahoma City
Please help us fill in the dates for the events listed and give us any additional events that might conflict. Thank you very much.
Resources
MPC Boot Camp by Fred Schwan https://youtu.be/ReL-dBk2cPk
MPCFest Sponsors
Joe and Louise Boling, Steve and Ray Feller, Dave Frank, Al Glaser, Dave Hunsicker, Brett Irick, Harold Kroll, Mike Marcil, Bill Myers and Warner Talso.
MPCFest is possible because of the generous support of its sponsors.
Gram Exchange
Do you have something for sale (or trade)? Are you looking for something for your collection? You can offer items here in the Gram or list specific items that you need.
FOR SALE
Send your text and images (!) to the editor for inclusion in the Gram Exchange. Please send the images in jpeg format with each image in a separate file.
List your items for sale here for FREE
WANTED
Wanted to Buy [WTB] / In Search of [ISO] $10 Series 1934A North Africa silver certificate with the altered blue seal discussed in October 2022 MPCGram by Larry Smulczenski (Saturski #13) and covered in May/June 2008 SPMC article written by Peter Huntoon and Jim Downey. Please contact Andy Conroy (andyqconroy@gmail.com)