Advance Party Arrives
Harold Kroll is hard at work moving display cases, grocery shopping and doing the many other tasks that he has done for many years. This year he is joined by David Marble who is taking lead of the advance party next year.
Fest Auction Report
by Dave Frank, auctioneer
Thank you to everyone who responded to the recent solicitation for Fest auction items. We have received many interesting items that will make for a good auction.
The auction list appeared in the second draft of the Fest program. However, the last page was omitted from that draft.
The final version of the auction is in the program which you can find at militarypaymentcertificates.us. Be sure to see the editor's comments in the editorial.
Contact me with your bids at Dave@frankcomputers.com.
FUN MPC Mini-Fest
by Bill Myers
Above: Brett Irick mans bourse table at FUN. Below: Joe Boling reads exhibits.
An MPC Mini-Fest was held at the FUN show on 11 January 2025. The meeting was opened with an MPC Fest coin challenge and no festers failed to comply. The meeting continued with introductions and there were some attendees other than festers. The newbies were informed of the Military Numismatic Collectors including MPC Fest, Summer Seminar and the MPC Gram (one subscription was sold). This was followed by show & tell.
Louise Boling presented her latest collecting area, Maneuver Medals. That is an area I was not aware of.
Joe Boling presented Danish circulating stamps used during WWII and an Algeria POW Camp note.
Mike Buckley presented a Wrigley War tax receipt.
Pam West presented a Great Britain 1 pound note signed by an ex-POW, a propaganda note that was a simulated pound note with Arabic writing on it and a US $2 propaganda note.
Bill Myers presented a Philippine 10 peso note. The note was very worn and tattered and was a counterfeit note. The note is evidence that the counterfeiting operation was successful. It passed through many hands before ending up in a junk box and then into my collection.
Festers Roger Urce, Dave Frank and Dave Hunsicker presented their dedication to Military Collecting by attending the meeting.
Jason Obrien and John Newcomb were present to learn about the MPC Mini-Fest and Military collecting.
Brett Irick was present on the bourse floor but unable to attend due to other obligations.
The meeting was adjourned with the festers vowing to meet at the MPC Fest in April.
War Savings Across the Empire
by Jim Downey
The following exchange took place in the House of Commons on November 20, 1941:
Major Lyons asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can indicate the arrangements that have been made for the collection of large and small war savings from all peoples throughout the Colonial Empire, either in the form of bonds or certificates; whether he is satisfied with the progress being made; and whether he can publish any figures of the results so far achieved to date?
Mr. George Hall: There was manifested very early in the war a general desire on the part of the Colonial Empire to make their full contribution to the war savings programme; but in view of the many administrative difficulties in the way of arranging for the sale of United Kingdom issues of war bonds and certificates in the Colonial Empire, Colonial Governments were advised to issue securities of their own with the intention of relending the whole proceeds to the United Kingdom. It was emphasised that the terms of such local issues should conform to the declared policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to stable interest rates: the yields offered, after allowance for such factors as length of period, were to approximate to those of similar United Kingdom issues, even though such terms might compare unfavourably with those of other local issues. Colonial Governments have been supplied with copies of prospectuses and other material, including propaganda pamphlets, likely to be of assistance in their war savings campaigns, and the help of the National Savings Committee has been enlisted to maintain a regular supply of current literature to every Colony.
. . .
I have reason to be satisfied with the response of the Colonial Empire to the suggestions offered. Local war bonds or savings certificates are now being sold in 13 Colonial territories; United Kingdom bonds and savings certificates are on sale in Malta, where unusual conditions justified the necessary special arrangements; and the issue of war loans and savings certificates is under consideration in certain other Dependencies which for one reason or another have not so far felt able to take the step.
Subscriptions of which notification has been received up to 14th November, 1941, aggregate some £14,000,000 . . .
By the end of the war, loans to the British government in the form of savings certificates were issued in the following territories pursuant to the laws cited:
Ulster Savings Certificates (National Defence Issue)
Ulster Savings Certificates (Supplementary Issue) issued on or before the 14th day of September, 1945
Bahamas Act No. 15, 1943. Bermuda Act No. 5, 1941. Cyprus Statute Law No. 21, 1943.
Gold Coast Ordinance No. 16, 1941. Mauritius Ordinance No. 3, 1941. Nigeria Ordinance No. 7, 1941. Northern Rhodesia Ordinance No. 2. 1941. Nyasaland Ordinance No. 17, 1941. Palestine Ordinance No. 33, 1941. St. Helena Ordinance No. 2, 1943. St. Lucia (Windward Islands) Ordinance No. 18, 1941. Seychelles Ordinance No. 1, 1943. Straits Settlements Ordinance No. 33, 1940. Trinidad Ordinance No. 3, 1941.
Because the money raised from the sale of these instruments was turned over to the government of the United Kingdom, London took responsibility of redeeming them after the war.
None of these except for the Straits Settlements is mentioned in World War II Remembered.
Pictured is a 1d War Savings Stamp from the Gold Coast and a £1 Savings Certificate from Bermuda.
Editorial
This is the first Gram that I created entirely with my phone. It was a pain. I am not good at finger typing. I will have to count on you understanding what I meant to say!
The entire Fest program is available at militarypaymentcertificates.us. Beware, I could not download it on my phone. It opened fine on my laptop although a bit slowly.
I did not have an opportunity to edit the email subject line while using my phone. That seems a bit strange.
We continue to receive reports from people who have started to again receive the Gram after a long period being Gramless. The reason seems to be that they have reentered their email address at Mail Chimp. If you have friends who are not receiving the Gram, please do the following. Forward the Grams to them and encourage them to try reentering their email and/or entering an alternate email.
This is the final reminder that you may attend Thursday's reception at the Holiday Inn Express even if you will not be attending the Fest. The reception is in recognition of the 30th anniversary of the publication of World War II Remembered and 50 years of collaboration between Boling and Schwan. I hope to see you there.
Jim's report on War Savings Across the Empire is exciting. I frequently enter material in the draft of the second edition of Remembered. I love to enter signature varieties, serial number range updates and the like. Occasionally there is a new denomination or a new issue. Rare is the need to enter a new country/colony/territory -- today I entered the war savings stamps for the Gold Coast! Furthermore, the document is a blueprint for more research.
The Bermuda savings certificate is probably even more exciting -- just look at it. Unfortunately, I was spoiled by previously seeing -- and listing -- these certificates. I thought that I knew who sent me the image of the Bermuda certificate, but I was wrong!
So, I look forward to some reports of more interesting things.
Well, we are making some progress with the Gram. Assuming that this issue gets to you, this is the first issue that we have been able to publish an issue from home. There still are some problems, but we are making progress. Doug Bell and Brad Schwan both worked on some of the problems with Mail-Chimp. Please cross your fingers.
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 "Internet") will be used.
Dear Editor,
Here is a new attempt at a new notice. If you have trouble copy/pasting it, let me know:
Hello Festers old and new!
We invite you to plan a staff briefing for Fest 2025! This can be a quick show-and-tell or a more detailed presentation. We very much value the sharing of information that takes place at the Fest!
If you are interested in participating, please fill out this interest form or send Ray an email at ray.feller@gmail.com.
— Steve and Ray
Dear Editor,
Give the BOSS my best. Could you check if anyone will be driving from Seattle to the Fest? I have some items I would like to donate to the Fest and expect you to use the cash in the best way you can. I will rely on you for that decision. It is at least 3 very well-framed items of historical significance to do with MPC. I hate to try to ship them due to the possibility of damage.
Let me know what you think.
— Bill McNease
Dear Bill,
The Boss is coming along, thank you. Your proposal sounds exciting. I hope someone out there has an idea of how to proceed.
— Editor
Dear Editor,
Eric and I are super excited to come to MPC this year! I want to share all the details at the Richmond Coin Club! Do you have a flyer or schedule of what is happening? Also the cost -- I want to share it all so we can see if anyone wants to join us! I will call Kim and get our room reserved -- does she have the details on the whole schedule? We may want to stay and do some of the extra activities!
I am so happy to hear that Judy is recovering well from her operation!
Can't wait to see you both!
— Jen Kibbey
Dear Jen,
We are excited to see everyone! As you know it is difficult to describe the Fest. I suggest that you show last year's program to any prospects. Last year's program can be found at militarypaymentcertificates.us. You can also find a draft invoice for this year's Fest. Ultimately, we will also get this year's program at that address.
See you soon.
— Editor
Dear Esteemed MPCGram Editor,
Due to travelling and weather conditions last year I missed the solar eclipse. Now that you have a firm date for the 2025 MPCFest, would you ask Physicist Steve Feller to schedule a solar eclipse for one of those days please?
— John Phipps
Dear Friends,
Back in 2012, LKCA sold much of the original Dr. Greg Pineda Collection of the Philippines; this auction saw many record prices. We are now proud to offer the Dr. Greg Pineda Collection of the Philippines, Part 2, which encompasses important coins, paper money, maps, prints, and books. Part 2 is also comprised of key pieces from the Neil Shafer Collection (including a complete Naval Aviators Packet, likely the only in existence) and as well as other prominent groups. If you have an interest in Philippines numismatics and history, there will be something for you. The Pineda collection of maps and prints will be sold at a later date.
The sale is split into two sessions; session one will be currency and will take place Wednesday August 28th at 7 PM CDT.
— Lyn
Training Schedule (calendar)
2025
In this section, the MPCGram lists events that are likely to be of special interest to collectors who are interested in MPC and other types of military numismatic items.
INVITATION
Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the publication of World War II Remembered and 50 years of collaboration between Joe Boling and Fred Schwan. 2000 hours 3 April, Holiday Inn Express, Catawba/Port Clinton. PUBLIC INVITED.
Boling-Schwan Reception 3 April, HEI Port Clinton MPC Fest 2025 dates -- 4-6 April (call Kim at 419 732 7322) GNA Show, 11-13 April Michigan State NS -- May 8-10 ANA World's Fair of Money® -- 19-23 Aug, Oklahoma City
Please help us fill in the dates for events listed and give us any additional events that might conflict. Thank you very much.
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
Fifth edition of the standard MPC reference book the Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates by Schwan and Smulczenski. Now full color and packed with great information. $75 postpaid. No waiting--the fastest service possible. Send your snail mail address via email and we will send your book with an invoice. The digital version of Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates after some delay is now shipping at $40. Send to fredschwan@yahoo.com.
WANTED
Vichy France - 1 Franc Bon de Solidarite. Back: "Comite Central" - without "...Departement de la Seine..."
Depending on which catalog you use it may be listed as:
Schwan/Boling 232 d Campbell 2323 d - Variety 4 Kleiber 1F Type C
Send offers with image of back of note to maturnerindy@gmail.com. Marcus Turner
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)