I read recently that David Bowers is retiring after more than 70 years in the business. Have any of y'all had any personal contact with Bowers? What is your opinion of a man who is undoubtedly a pioneer in the modern rare coin business? Have you read any of his books? Buy them for reference?
Got a few receipts from the 70’s when he was partnered with James Ruddy. Later years also, all raw before encapsulating. I believe I’ve read all his books including the reference ones. Wish I could have did a personal transaction. Truly a giant in the business
We communicated a few times when he was at Bower's and Merena. He was always gracious and willing to share some time. I own and have read a number of his books, a number of which are signed by him and personally inscribed.
I've never personally met the guy, but I've read and own several of his books. I have 1 coin pedigreed to his personal collection. But overall... this guy is a legend in the hobby for a reason. The books he writes are based on fact and experience, not conjecture, (cough, Breen, ugh, what?)
The bigger question is... with QDB retiring is Stacks Bowers going to change their name? Because as far as I know, there isn't really a Stacks or a Bowers in charge there anymore. Or are they going to ride on the name/brand recognition that these titans have built? That firm has changed and merged and renamed a whole bunch of times in the past 30 years.... What is it going to be called next year?
The Bowers name is literally worth gold. No way A-Mark, which owns Spectrum, which owns Stacks-Bowers, will change the name … unless they get a really good offer. BTW, there is a thread on the U.S. forum on Dave that has been going for several days: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/dave-bowers-retires.418630/ Cal
I met Bowers and thought he was a crabby dude, but heck I get crabby too. HIs books are informative, but he be long winded in his stories. He is a numismatic legend for sure.
For me, that’s the appeal. When someone is passionate about what they do, it shows in how they talk / write about it. It’s the same reason I enjoy the writings of Clifford Mishler as well.
Many years ago, I was invited to fly out to LA to interview for the head of the auction department at Bowers and Merena Auction Galleries. For a variety of reasons (salary, housing costs, commuting time) I didn't go. Not long after that they hired a guy with a Ph.D. in psychology, Rick Bagg, and an interest in history. One of the textbooks I wrote was a history of psychology, which was in its 3rd edition when I retired.
