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.
His books are must-reads if you own those coins or have interest in them. I would note that we FINALLY have a 2nd Edition to his Red Book Guide Book to Double Eagle Gold Coins, which covers both Liberty Head and Saint-Gaudens DEs. The book is out now and just started shipping. Who knows how long the initial run will last since the 1st Edition came out in 2004 (other books had more frequent updates). So if you are a collector or just have interest, I would grab one while they are in stock.
@GoldFinger1969 , Mike Thorne passed away last fall (October). Me thinks he will not be replying to your post, or buying the book. RIP, Mike.
Aren't they part of A-Mark right now ? Read a piece in BARRON's a few weeks ago that Gold.com included a bunch of companies rolled-up by A-Mark, the firm that has been around for decades and handled/won the Redfield MSD Collection. SB, JM Bullion, and a few others were all part of one big happy family.
I have met David Bowers several times at shows and at the NENA Conferences. He is one of the best and most prolific authors in numismatics. The body of his work is truly remarkable.
Forty or so years ago, David Bowers wrote a book on what coins types he felt would increase in value the most over the years. I went with his thoughts and started collecting many of those coin types as long as they were nice examples. Fast forward and he nailed it. I did well with most everything he had suggested. I have enjoyed many of his books over the years.
