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Vol 06 No. 12 December 1992


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About This File

This issue marks the completion of our sixth year in publication. It's been a very rewarding experience, never mind the occasional slings and arrows, and we have many people to thank for the huge success of The Celator. Some of our benefactors are obvious, and you can (and should) count their numbers by the advertising here in. We have also enjoyed the faithful and too often unheralded support of a dedicated and professional group of regular feature writers. They provide the solid core around which we build each issue. This month, we are proud to add another regular feature contributed by professional numismatist Harlan J. Berk. Harlan's column, titled '"The Celator's hand", will focus on the technical and artistic nature of ancient coinage. We try to feature three or four articles each month and have received some wonderful contributions from our readers over the past six years. Many of these articles have contained ground-breaking discoveries or hypotheses and eff eel i vel y bridge Ihe chasm between scholarly journals and numismatic tabloids.
 
We feel a little bit like Ross Perot (except for the checking account balance) in that we have reached out to "the people" and the response has been gratifying. We've said from the start that this is YOUR publication, and we sincerely try to keep it that way. Hardly a day goes by that we are not rewarded by kind words of encouragement from our readers. More importantly, you have confirmed that encouragement with each subscription renewal. At the last count, we were approaching 1,900 paid sub scribers, with about 200 of that number living outside the U.S.
 
Several months ago, we added a message to our mailing wrapper which encouraged readers to renew in advance of their expiration date. The object, of course, is to avoid sending from one to three renewal notices. These notices cost us approximately 30¢ each. No big deal unless you are sending out 150 or more per month. That adds up to $540 per year just for the first notice. Every delayed response forces another card, and the cost multiplies. One subscriber returned his card with a note suggesting that the least we could do for the $24 we charged him was to provide a return envelope. OK, now triple the above figure.
 
If we were running megabuck ads from car manufacturers or designer jean companies, the "trickle-down" would probably pay for envelopes. Fortunately, our readers do try to help, and the renewals are starting to come in early. All of the foregoing is mentioned simply to illustrate how Ihe help of our readers, authors, and advertisers makes the whole program viable. It is impossible for a publication like this to exist any other way (as others have sadly discovered). So, be a part of the process. Support The Celator with your subscriptions, your comments, your advertising, your articles, and your recommendations to friends and we will be here for a long time to come!
 
Now that the ugly process of Ameri can politics is behind us for another four years, there seems to be a mood of opl1mtsm among people in the "coin business .... The recent Bay Stale Coin Show in Boston was reportedly a breath of fresh air, with more activity in ancient coins than some of the "major" shows held earlier this year. Coinex, in London, was rather slow, as was the competing expo at Long Beach. Auction results this Fall have been mixed at best and, except for some tenacious competition on isolated types, prices have been soft. The Spring auctions will be interesting to observe, and the tone for that round may beset this month at New York. The NYINC is always a magnet for buyers, sellers and auctioneers, but this year it seems more intense than ever. The show's return to the Sheraton Hotel has helped to revive memories of past glories, and the event may very well become a venting place for the pent-up enthusiasm that recent years have dampened.
 
With the impressive program and associated events on this year's card, the NY INC must be considered the premier show for ancient coins in this country if not Ihe world. If it is at all possible, try to make this one!
 
Finally, I have Ihe pleasure to announce that Volume I of Turkomen Figural Bronze Coins and their Iconography is on its way to the primer. This volume covers figural coinage of the Artuqids and will sell for $35 in a 6"x9" hardback edition. See our ad in Book News for ordering instructions. It is primarily a book for collectors, but the historical and art historical aspects of it should appeal to a very wide audience. Tentatively, Volume II will cover the figural coinage of the Zengids and Ayyubids. Volume III will cover the figural coinage of the Seljuqs of Rum and Erzerum, Danishmendids, Salduqids, Begtiginids, Begtimurids, Mangujakids and Mongols in the Jazira.
 
Also going to press immediately following this issue is The Best of The Celator- 1992. With approximately 100 pages of really great reading, this is the biggest and best ever. And it's still $6.95 postpaid making it the best buy in the field of numismatic literature today.
 
We at The Celator wish you and yours a very happy holiday season, and hope that you'll find some leisure time to share your point of view.
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