Feature Story:

Eric P. Newman Honored for Distinguished Service

Friday, October 25, was a stellar evening for 80 friends, family members, ANS Councillors and staff honoring Eric P. Newman at the Explorers Club in New York City. Mr. Joseph R. Lasser was the Chairman as well as the highly entertaining master of ceremonies.

The Dinner Committee included friends and family, and the Society extends heartfelt thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Bressett, Mr. and Mrs. Julian Edison, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth L. Edlow, Professor Roger A. Hornsby, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur A. Houghton III, Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan H. Kagan, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Lasser, Professor and Mrs. Thomas R. Martin, Mr. Clifford L. Mishler, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Newman, Mr. and Mrs. Donald G. Partrick, Mr. and Mrs Julius Reiver, Mrs. Margo Russell, and Mr. and Mrs. L Donald Schapiro. A very special thank you is extended to our International Honoree, Shaykh Hamad Bin Abdulla Al-Thani. He could not be with us in New York; however, he had earlier entertained Mr. and Mrs. Newman at his home in Qatar. Shaykh Hamad has kindly established a research fellowship in Islamic numismatics at the Society. The ANS has given him the Silver Medal of the Society, engraved, to express our thanks and gratitude for his generosity and for his interest in the ANS.

Newman and His Mentor

The first sign of the party appeared in front of the Explorers Club on 70th Street, between Madison and Park Avenues. Balloons carrying the message "Eric P. Newman, Gentleman, Scholar, Numismatist" bounced merrily in the delightful evening air. Balloons were a motif throughout the party. There were many references to Eric's mentor, Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin was in Paris when the first hot air balloon appeared and balloons appeared at all the good parties. If one examined the invitation closely there is a combined likeness of Franklin and Newman. There were kites and keys. Turkey was served in honor of Ben's love of the bird. Benjamin Franklin banks containing copies of the Liberias Americana medal, inspired by Franklin, were centerpieces on the tables. A handsome black portfolio was given to each guest with a special Eric Newman Tribute Calendar, featuring great treasures from the ANS American Cabinet as well as monthly reminders of all the important activities taking place at the Society during 1997. A scroll announcing Eric's achievements was presented to each guest.

Program

After cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in the beautiful Explorers Club Library and on the outdoor terrace, the guests entered the dining room to the strains of "Meet Me in St. Louis" and sat down to a fine meal featuring stuffed breast of turkey. On the wall were three of Eric's greatest numismatic tributes, all of which speak to his keen scholarship and his dedication to education.

Friends and family of the Newmans filled three tables, making this joyous occasion also a family reunion. Warmth and good fellowship filled the air. Our emcee, Joseph Lasser, was charming and interesting as he guided the program.

Margo Russell presented inciteful remarks on the wonderful life shared by Eric and Evelyn Newman accompanied by a very special slide show of Eric - past and present. Margo presented a beautiful butterfly pin to Evelyn, which was an especially meaningful memento to Evelyn who has led the effort to establish the Butterfly House in St. Louis.

Special greetings were read from a number of well-wishers, including James C. Spilman, President of the Colonial Newsletter Foundation, Elvira Clain-Stefanelli and Richard G. Doty, Curators of the Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution, Theodore V. Buttrey, past ANS Councillor and past President of the Royal Numismatic Society in London and Dr. Philip Mossman, newly appointed Editor of the Colonial Ncwsletter and author of Money of the American Colonies and Confederation. ANS Fellow Peter Gaspar brought greetings from the British Numismatic Society. Ray Williamson of Lynchburg, VA, an old friend and colleague of Eric's, paid tribute by means of a voice recording, recounting his pleasure in nominating Eric for the ANS Council.

ANS Director Leslie A. Elam recalled visits to Eric's museum in St. Louis and presented him with a scholar's desk chair, engraved with the Society's seal and an inscription, as a gift from the ANS staff. Special tributes were given by Thomas R. Martin, ANS Councillor, who presented Eric with a signed copy of his latest book; Kenneth E. Bressett, President of the ANA; Julius Reiver, friend and colleague; Abigail R. Solomon, grand-daughter; and Roger A. Hornsby, ANS Councillor. ANS President Arthur A. Houghton capped the accolades by presenting Eric with the Gold Medal of the Society. All these tributes and more spoke eloquently of the affection, warmth and admiration which Eric has earned over the decades that he has served the ANS and the discipline. The final words of the evening were Eric's and all agreed that the best had been saved for last.

One person at each table became the lucky recipient of the Franklin bank centerpiece containing the white metal Libertas Americana restrike of 1875.

In honor of Eric and Evelyn's support of the Society's Graduate Seminar program, many friends unable to attend sent special contributions to underwrite attendance by Seminar alumni. We were delighted to have Sarah Cox, James Todesca, Rudi Matthee, Amy Smith, Sarah Brooks, Sarah Lawrence, and Jane De Rose Evans as special guests for the occasion.

The great mix of family, Councillors, friends, students, and professional colleagues made this event very special. Eric's friends are loyal and far-reaching. We were delighted to welcome among the many guests our dear friend, Libby Norweb and her son, R. Henry Norweb III. Accompanying ANA President Kenneth Bressett was Robert Leuver, Executive Director of the ANA. Together they had earlier honored Eric as "Numismatist of the Year" at the summer ANA convention.

The evening of October 25th will be remembered as a great tribute to Eric P. Newman and a very special event in the annals of the American Numismatic Society. There was a definite reluctance to say "Goodnight," and the evening's festivities will remain vivid in the memory of each guest.

(Eric Newman at the ANS Booth during the August 1996 ANA Convention in Denver.)