The American Numismatic Association will present Whitman Publishing, LLC, of Atlanta, with its Exemplary Service Award in recognition of services on behalf of the Association that are
“above and beyond” the call of duty. The award will be presented Aug. 9 during the World’s Fair of MoneySM in Philadelphia.

Whitman Publishing supports ANA educational programs with its monetary donations and by supplying books for outreach programs. In 2010, it signed on to provide up to $3,600 in prizes annually for the ANA’s Young Numismatist Literary Awards competition.

Perhaps best known for publishing A Guide Book of United States Coins (the “Red Book”), Whitman also produces Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins and the popular “100 Greatest” series showcasing the best in numismatics, including ancients and currency notes, errors, medals and U.S. coins.

The story of Whitman Publishing begins in 1932, when numismatist Richard S. Yeo (aka “Yeoman”) was hired as a commercial artist by Western Publishing Company in Racine, Wisc. One of Western’s subsidiaries was Whitman Publishing Company, which specialized in children’s books, puzzles and greeting cards. In 1940 Yeoman redesigned the company’s coin boards to make them easier to handle, incorporating folding panels and adding new titles to accommodate a wider variety of coin denominations. He helped advance the hobby among the public by giving novice collectors a simple, inexpensive method of storing and cataloging their coins.

Yeoman also compiled information about coin values and the numismatic market. Handbook of United States Coins: The Official Blue Book of U.S. Coinswas first published in 1942. Then and now, the “Blue Book” has provided reliable information about coin history and pricing for dealers buying and selling coins. In 1946 the “Red Book” was published to provide collectors with pricing information for buying and selling coins to dealers.

In 1959, Western hired Kenneth Bressett, who helped Yeoman write and edit numismatic books. Together, they created more than 300 titles and products for the hobby until Yeoman’s retirement in 1970. Bressett continues to edit the Red Book and the Blue Book and consults on other titles.

In 2003, H.E. Harris & Company bought Whitman Coin Products from St. Martin’s Press. Since H.E. Harris also manufactured and sold coin albums, folders and accessories, this acquisition was an ideal way to consolidate the leading numismatic supply companies. H.E. Harris changed its name to Whitman Publishing, which features three, distinct product lines: Whitman, H.E. Harris, and the U.S. Mint.

Whitman since has hired author and numismatist Q. David Bowers as its director of numismatic publications. Under his stewardship, the company launched the “Guide Book” series, each of which highlights a specific denomination or design and provides a complete history and an extensive price guide.

In June 2004, Whitman Publishing hosted its first national coin show, the Whitman Coin and Collectibles Atlanta Expo. The event has grown and branched out, with five shows scheduled annually: three in Baltimore, one in Nashville and one in Philadelphia.

To learn more about Whitman Publishing products and events, go towww.whitman.com.

The World’s Fair of Money is the nation’s premier money show. The event features more than 1,000 numismatic dealers with the best inventory anywhere; the ANA Museum Showcase exhibiting some of the world’s most valuable and beautiful coins and paper money; a Mint Promenade with mints from around the world; the Collector Exhibits area; a world-class auction by Stack’s Bowers Galleries; educational presentations and seminars; and special events including the ANA’s annual awards banquet.