2010

1922-1923. Correspondence Files Between Frank Campbell and Charles Kohen. Near New.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins - Commemoratives Start Price:330.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
1922-1923. Correspondence Files Between Frank Campbell and Charles Kohen. Near New.
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Henry Ford’s lifelong personal assistant, Frank Campbell,” Assistant Secretary to Henry Ford” as he signed his letters, corresponds here with Charles Kohen, a Washington D.C. coin dealer of the era. Four letters are included, each lightly folded for postal reasons but not tattered or unsightly otherwise. The first missive, July 17, 1922 on Ford’s Letterhead, is an inquiry by Campbell as to whether Kohen could obtain “two of the round $50 pieces coined by the State of California in the years 1851, 1852, and 1855,” and goes on to add “you might also obtain a quotation on one octagonal, in good condition with the edge unsweated, etc.” In the second letter, August 7, 1922, Campbell (in actuality, Ford) rails against a price quoted by Kohen, writing “The writer is in receipt of your letter of July 31st relative to octagon and round California $50.00 gold pieces and wish to state that we are not interested at the price quoted. If it is possible for you to secure a round one in good condition for $250.00, we will be glad to have you procure it.” The third letter, dated October 12, 1922, brings out another of Ford’s collecting disciplines: “Have you been able to procure any of the 25 cent gold-pieces, referred to in our letter of September 25th? Also, have you learned anything further in regard to a round California fifty-dollar piece at a reasonable figure?” Henry Ford or his wife, who were both coin collectors, may have finally obtained a “California $50” through Mr. Kohen as pointed out by the final letter of February 21, 1923: “The old gold pin has been received and presented to Mr. Ford, who wishes to thank you most sincerely for the dainty gift.” Mr. Kohen may have finally located a coin for Ford, or he simply gifted the tough negotiator to make him go away. An historical group that links one of the earliest titans of industry to our beloved hobby.
From Stack’s sale of September-October 2010, Lot 5691.