MOVEMENT HEATS UP FOR AUCTION HOUSE CODES. Publique Deposited
The E-Sylum: Volume 4, Number 15, April 8, 2001, Article 9
MOVEMENT HEATS UP FOR AUCTION HOUSE CODES.
Mark Borckardt's note in last week's E-Sylum that he had used
three-letter codes to identify auction houses and specific auction
lots set off a spate of emails among participants this week. Mark
had set three-letter codes for his own use in his research among
American auction sales for a wide variety of numismatic items
including patterns, medals, Hawaiian, and other items.This issue started when Dick Johnson called for someone to
establish uniform symbols -- much like those on the New York
Stock Exchange -- and had suggested Karl Moulton do this
because he has taken up the mantle of publishing a directory of
all American numismatic auction sales. Karl is updating the
directory first published by Martin Gengerke in 1984. Here's
part of what they said in their emails:Karl Moulton wrote: "Mark's list may become a valuable tool
for all of us interested in numismatic auctions. I know Dick will
be among the first to utilize it. However my compilation covers
only forty different cataloguers, while Mark's list would cover
them all [Gengerke's listings] from the 1850s to the present. I
would like to see some feedback from others as to its usability
and acceptance. If readily used and understood ... it needs to
be presented."Dick Johnson wrote: "Mark has accomplished what I had
hoped someone would do, as I tried to get Karl Moulton to
do when I learned Martin Gengerke was no longer interested
in continuing his directory of auction catalogs, and Karl had
taken up the mantel. I longed for a list of three-letter auction
house codes. Mark, here you have performed the feat. It
seems you are always a step ahead of me."Further, Dick wrote: This is an unabashed appeal for a response
from E-Sylum readers. If you have ever done research in more
than one auction catalog, or if you have done price history
research in American auction catalogs, please send an email to
Karl. Tell him listing these codes would be a desirable feature in
his directory and a service to all numismatists. It would help
establish an industry-wide standard we could all use.
Write to him today at Numiscats@aol.com"- 2001-04-08
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