The History of Central States
(Part 2) 1940
by W.Ray Lockwood
As published in the Summer 2003 (Vol 51, Number 2) Issue of the Centinel
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The successful first-ever “conference” of the Central States
Numismatic Society held in Chicago, April 22 & 23, 1939 spawned a
second “convention” in Burlington, Iowa, April 27 & 28, 1940. It is
not entirely clear why the 1939 CSNS affair was dubbed a “conference”
while all succeeding events were “conventions.” At any rate, the nine-
story Hotel Burlington overlooking the Mississippi River was head-
quarters to the second CSNS convention.
An attendance of 300 numismatists was the goal of the convention
committee. The largest display of coins ever exhibited west of Chicago
was expected with 24-hour police protection being provided. Professor
R.E. Davis, noted Chicago chemistry book author, was slated to be one
of the principal speakers. The Iowa Numismatic Association was to meet
in conjunction with Central States and conduct its own election and other
business. The CSNS convention chairman was Ted Hammer of Burlington,
Iowa, later to be associated with the Numismatic Scrapbook.
The March, 1940 issue of Numismatic Scrapbook devoted almost
two pages to a preview of the Burlington, Iowa CSNS convention. Editor,
Lee Hewitt, called the convention: “Prominent Collectors in Person.” He
listed the following well-known numismatists as early registrants: William
Brimelow (“Bill the Coin Man:”) from Elkhart, IN, Frank Ross of Kansas
City, MO, numismatic editor of Hobbies Magazine, B. Max Mehl, the
famous Texas dealer would be a banquet speaker, M. Vernon Sheldon,
the ANA Secretary, J. Henri Ripstra, ANA Board member, Harry X Boosel,
noted proof coin collector, David Bullowa, assistant editor of The
Numismatist, Abe Kosoff, well-respected New York dealer, Albert
Grinnell, leading U.S. currency expert, and Dr. J. Hewitt Judd of Omaha.
Central States officers in 1940 were: President - Arthur B. Kelley
of St. Louis, First VP - Professor R. E. Davis of Chicago, Second VP -
Hubert Polzer of Milwaukee, and the appointed Secretary-Treasurer,
Eric Newman of St. Louis. (Side - note: Mr. Newman attended the 64th
Central States Convention held in St. Louis, May 2-5, 2003).
A copy of the 1940 CSNS Convention program reveals additional
details such as banquet tickets costing $1.00, a two-session auction with
425 lots, a tour of the Iowa State Prison, a Mississippi River boat trip,
and a visit to historic Nauvoo, Illinois, former Mormon headquarters.
The ladies of Central States were certainly not forgotten as an auto tour
and card games were planned. The exhibit area boasted 65 cases with
coins and currency displayed mainly by dealers.
The April, 1940 Numismatic Scrapbook ran a half-page ad for the
Hotel Burlington thanking Central States and the Iowa Numismatic
Association for choosing Burlington. It was “proud to be headquarters
for the convention and advertised its rates: $1.50 up - singles and $2.50 up
for doubles.
Post-convention reviews were very complimentary and filled with
details of activities. Central States officers elected at the convention
were: Professor R. Edward Davis of Chicago - President, Hubert Polzer
of Milwaukee - 1st Vice-President, Dr. J. Hewitt Judd of Nebraska -
2nd Vice-President. President Davis appointed M.H. Jackson of Chicago
as Secretary - Treasurer.
The convention was well attended with between 175 to 200 present.
It was claimed that this was largest number of numismatists ever assembled
at a convention or meeting held west of the Mississippi.
The first order of business was the selection of the 1941 convention
city - Milwaukee at the invitation of the Milwaukee Numismatic Society.
The Articles of Association were adopted and dues set for the ensuing
year at 50 cents! The CSNS Board of Governors discussed plans to
issue a bulletin (newsletter) from time to time as funds permitted with the
aim to eventually publish it quarterly.
The highlight of the 1940 CSNS Convention was the Saturday
evening banquet featuring the Novelaires, a male quartet and the featured
speaker, B. Max Mehl, Fort Worth, Texas dealer. Mr. Mehl spoke on the
the topic: “The Whys of Numismatics” and illustrated his talk with large
drawings of coin through the ages.
One sad note footnote to the second ever CSNS convention was the
untimely death of newly elected President, R. Edward Davis, on May 4.
He had become ill quite suddenly during the convention and died at home
in Chicago one week after the convention’s close. A tribute to Dr. Davis
noted: “To know him was to love him and respect his knowledge of
numismatics and ability as a student in coins....”
The next installment of this History of CSNS will focus on the 1941
convention in Milwaukee. Special recognition is paid to The Numismatist
and Numismatic Scrapbook for materials cited in this history.
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