ANA Library’s Mobile Archives debut at Dallas National Money Show
Visitors can see, hold items from Frank Gasparro's personal archives
The American Numismatic Association's Dwight N. Manley
Library will let the public see and hold pieces of numismatic
history when it debuts its Mobile Archives at the Dallas National
Money Show, Oct. 18-20 at the Dallas Convention
Center.
Visitors will be able to see the Mobile Archives by visiting
the ANA Area (booth 537). Sitting down with an ANA staff member,
visitors and researchers will be able to view historic artifacts
and papers stored in protective cases and covers.
"The ANA library's
archives have so many interesting, important documents that it was
a shame that they were only available to visitors to the library in
Colorado Springs. We wanted to share these items with the public,"
said ANA Library and Communication Director RyAnne Scott. "The
Mobile Archives area is one of the first steps in an effort to make
our archives more accessible to members, researchers and
collectors."
The first collection up for viewing: The personal archives
and papers of Frank Gasparro, former chief engraver of the United
States Mint. Gasparro, who died in 2001 at age 92, is best known
for his work on the obverses and reverses of the Eisenhower and
Susan B. Anthony dollars; the reverses of the Lincoln (memorial)
cent and the Kennedy half dollar; U.S. Mint medals; and private
commissions.
The collection was donated to the ANA in August by
Gasparro's daughter, Christina Gasparro Hansen. It consists of 97
folders arranged by topic and features Gasparro's notes and
original sketches; personal correspondence with notable figures
such as Shirley Temple Black, Rosalynn Carter and others; and much
more. The papers give major insights into Gasparro's artistic
process, his thoughts on coin design and his
contemporaries.
Read the November issue of The
Numismatist for a full article on the Gasparro
collection and its most interesting pieces.
The National Money Show in Dallas will feature more than 500
numismatic dealers; a world-class auction by Heritage Auctions; the
ANA Museum Showcase, exhibiting some of the world's most valuable
and beautiful coins and paper money; the Collector Exhibits area;
educational presentations and seminars; and other special
events.
Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18-19 and 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Oct 20. Admission is $6 for adults, and free for ANA
members and children 12 and under. Save $2 on admission by
downloading a coupon at www.nationalmoneyshow.com
. For more information, call 719-482-9849.
The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally
chartered nonprofit educational organization dedicated to
encouraging people to study and collect money and related items.
The ANA helps its 28,000 members and the public discover and
explore the world of money through its vast array of education and
outreach programs, as well as its museum, library, publications,
conventions and seminars. For more information, call 719-632-2646
or go to www.money.org.