Before inexpensive photography they used drawings. Image #1 is a supplement to John Gedko's BIE book published in the BIE Guild newsletter. BIEs were die breaks usually between the B&E of Liberty. on the Lincoln cent. Eventually the BIE Guild bought the rights to the BIE book and supplements and published the BIE hand book. Image #2 is a close up a BIE. The darker the color the more raise was the metal in that area.
No. I emailed Alan Herbert once asking where the original Gedko drawing were- Herbert was longtime member. He gave a woman's name, that I can't remember, who lived in NJ. But he didn't have any phone number or email or knowledge of whether she was still alive.
Joe Bush was the president of the BIE Guild who lived in Ft. Lauderdale. Gale Richardson, the man who gave some of letters and sold me his dupes and traders, also lived in Ft. Laud. Apparently Bush got sick and had doubts about his prospects. On the inside cover of Gale's BIE Guild letter he wrote: "Gale please get your coins back before the undertaker takes them. JB"
Well Joe Bush lived into his 80's. He founded the BIE Guild and was the prez for it's duration. I believed he died after it disbanded. I guess it pays to have a purpose.
