MONTHLY MEETINGS ARE NOW HELD AT SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER.
JANUARY 2008
FELICEM ANNUM NOVUM HABEAMUS!
The next meeting of the club will be the Annual Officer Installation Banquet. It will be held on Sunday January 13, 2008 in the Balboa Mission Town Hall, Granada Hills at 1:00 P.M.
LAST MEETING
The incumbent officers agreed to serve at least one more term and were all re-elected as follows:
ACCLA Board of Directors 2008
President: BOB EFFLER
Vice President: Roger Burry
Secretary: David Stepsay
Treasurer: Barry Rightman
The new Board of Directors is as follows:
Michael Connor
Ken Friedman
Merrill Gibson
Hugh Kramer (Past President)
Paul Ranc
Mark Westerline
Club officers made their reports. The Treasurer reported the balance in the Club Treasury. Michael Connor, Web-Master, reported a continuing high number of new visitors. He is planning to add a Glossary section; input from club members was requested. Roger Burry, Program Chairman, described the programs planned for the year 2008. The January program will be a coin/history quiz. Member inputs were requested.
PRESENTATION
ACCLA member Randy Butler took club members down the west coast of ancient Turkey as he presented Travels In and Coins of Turkey.
Respectfully submitted
David Stepsay, Secretary
FEBRUARY 2008
The next meeting of the club will take place on Sunday February 10, 2008 at the 1:00 P.M. at Balboa Mission Town Hall, Granada Hills.
LAST MEETING
The last meeting was called to order at 1:25 P.M. by President Bob Effler. The installation of Officers and Board elected at the December meeting was disposed of in quick order. Treasurer Barry Rightman reported acquiring liability insurance for the Club. Ken Friedman suggested that since we can now move our meeting location, Sherman Oaks Galleria which is free may now be considered. Further discussion was tabled in honor of the proceedings which were to take place in this meeting. Web-master Michael Connor indicated that there were 61,000 individual visitors to the Website in 2007, 21,000 more than 2006, or 210 per day. We have money coming from commission on sales through the Website. Roger Burry reported that we should have a report in the next Celator reviewing Randy Butler's talk in December. Ken Friedman offered the last 5 posters on the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine rulers. There was a brief discussion of the recent Gemini auction. Lower quality coins are going up in price - drastically - and books astronomically. Interest in a bulk purchase of the upcoming RIC II and Coins of Roman Antioch was discussed. The group then dispersed to dine.
Just after the festive comestibles were consumed by those in attendance, a quiz contest on coinage was held under the auspices of Roger Burry who had put it together. The group was divided into three separate but not necessarily equal subgroups who had at it trying to answer questions illustrated on the screen. A good time was had by all.
We then enjoyed the festivities of the day. Books were sold and a raffle held. A good time was had by all.
NEXT MONTH
Professor Robert Cleve, late of CSUN where he was a professor of ancient history, will present on Ancient Greek Paintings of Paestum.
NEW MEMBERS
We were graced with four new members at this meeting: Harrison Leff, Ernie Liang, Brett Telford and L. D. Mitchell. Welcome to you all.
Respectfully submitted
David Stepsay, Secretary
MARCH 2008
The next meeting of the club will be held on Sunday March 9, 2008 in the Balboa Mission Town Hall, Granada Hills at 1:00 P.M. On March 9, Dr. Robert Cleve will give his rescheduled talk on Ancient Greek Paintings of Paestum. We look forward to his presentation.
LAST MEETING - BUSINESS
The last meeting was called to order at 1:30 P.M. by President Bob Effler. Barry Rightman gave the Treasurer's report and followed up with a discussion of the wherewithal to pay for the Club's liability insurance. Membership cards were signed and passed out. There are currently 3 orders for RIC II at the discounted (from $195) price of $150. Web-master Michael Connor reported that we'll be getting revenues from vendors links on the site by direct deposit. We have enjoyed an increase of visitors of 10% over the last year. Our Celator liaison, Roger Burry, reported that Barry's talk from a month ago has been published. As Program Chair Roger also reported that he will be rescheduling Dr. Cleve in March.
LAST MEETING - PRESENTATION
After the program had to be changed due to the forced cancellation by Dr. Cleve. Roger valiantly stepped into the breach with a proposed Valentine's day presentation that would feature the distaff side of the various rulers of the ancient lands, to wit, the female counterparts depicted on coins. A number of members brought in coins that were circulated and much discussed.
Respectfully submitted
David Stepsay, Secretary
APRIL 2008
The next meeting of the club will take place on Sunday April 13, 2008. The venue will be the Balboa Mission Town Hall, Granada Hills and the time 1:00 P.M. The meeting will feature a seminar on The Athenian Empire, Its History and Coins presented by Merrill Gibson and Roger Burry.
LAST MEETING - BUSINESS
Meeting called to order at 1:30 P.M. by Bob Effler, President. The Treasurer's report was given by Roger Burry. Webmaster Michael Connor reported that Hugh Kramer's Nero article is attracting the most visitors. New articles are still wanted. Ken Friedman reported being contacted by a university professor and asked if Club members would cooperate in a survey of collectors. At least 20 are needed for the sample.
LAST MEETING - PRESENTATION
Dr. Robert Cleve was the presenter. He held forth on "The Painted Tombs of Paestum".
Paestum was a Greek city on the western coast of Southern Italy 60 miles south of Naples. Dr. Robert Cleve first visited there in 1985. Dr. Cleve gave reviewed the archeology of the region and then gave presentation liberally illustrated with fantastic fifth century BCE paintings that adorned tombs that have only been uncovered in the last 40 years. These constitute the most extensive collection of Greek paintings that have survived.
Respectfully submitted
David Stepsay, Secretary
MAY 2008
The next meeting of the club will take place on Sunday May 11, 2008. The venue will be the Balboa Mission Town Hall, Granada Hills and the time 1:00 P.M. The presentation at the meeting will be The Orthographic Development of the Greek and Latin Alphabets as Seen on Ancient Coins. The presenter will be Frank Martin.
LAST MEETING - BUSINESS
Treasurer Barry Rightman gave his Treasury report. Webmaster Michael Connor reported that Bob Lattanzi had finished his article on Caligula. The site is getting 220 visitors per day. Most viewed article this month was Kelly Ramage's Roman Wall Painting. Mike admonished all to buy books through the site's links.
LAST MEETING - PRESENTATION
Roger Burry and Merrill Gibson gave a joint presentation on "The Athenian Empire, Its History and Coins". The presentation was illustrated with parts of a lecture by Dr. Jeremy McInerney, and power presentations by Roger and Merrill.
The program was very enlightening and, as usual, made for a thoroughly worthwhile meeting.
Respectfully submitted
David Stepsay, Secretary
JUNE 2008
The next meeting of the club will be held on Sunday June 8, 2008 at the Balboa Mission Town Hall, Granada Hills at 1:00 P.M. The presentation will be Cylinder Seals of Western Asia by Ken Baumheckel.
LAST MEETING - BUSINESS
Treasurer Barry Rightman gave his Treasury report. Webmaster Michael Connor reported that Bob Lattanzi had finished his article on Caligula. The site is getting 220 visitors per day. Most viewed article this month was Kelly Ramage's Roman Wall Painting. Mike admonished all to buy books through the site's links.
LAST MEETING - PRESENTATION
Frank Martin gave an excellent Powerpoint presentation on The Orthographic Development of the Greek and Latin Alphabets as Seen on Ancient Coins. This was a disquisition of immense value to those interested in these two ancient languages and with a smattering of Egyptian and Semitic thrown in. Frank handed out a chart showing the changes in the alphabet made by the various peoples around the Mediterranean world. The value of his disquisition cannot be too heavily emphasized.
Respectfully submitted
David Stepsay, Secretary
JULY 2008
The next meeting of the club will be held on Sunday July 13, 2008 at the Balboa Mission Town Hall, Granada Hills. The time will be 1:00 P.M.
LAST MEETING - BUSINESS
Meeting called to order at 1:52 P.M. by President Bob Effler. Treasury report given by Barry Rightman. We received another deposit for sales through the website. Michael Connor, webmaster, reported that Bob Lattanzi's Caligula article is being pasted up. Visitation to the website is up 8% over last year so far. Most popular page this month is Hugh Kramer's Nero. Celator featured Roger Burry's report article on Dr. Cleve's presentation on Tomb paintings. Bob Effler brought up sponsorship by ACCLA of the ancients category at the Golden State Coin Show: August 23-24th which we did last year. A motion to continue the sponsorship was moved, seconded, and carried.
LAST MEETING - PRESENTATION
Ken Baumheckel gave a PowerPoint presentation on Cylinder Seals that had been developed by himself and Frank Martin. The cylinder seals were first developed in Mesopotamia and were used for imprinting on wet clay. The presentation was very pertinent for those of us who are quite interested in antiquities.
Respectfully submitted
David Stepsay, Secretary
AUGUST 2008
The next meeting of the club will be held on Sunday August 10, 2008 at the Balboa Mission Town Hall, Granada Hills. The time will be at 1:00 P.M. The presentation will be Cuisine of Ancient Rome and our host will be Hugh Kramer. Hugh asked for volunteers to cook for the event.
LAST MEETING - BUSINESS
Meeting called to order at 1:35 P.M. The Treasurer's report was given by Barry Rightman. Per Barry, Ralph and Sally Marks are doing well. There was a discussion of online auctions and the prevalence of "sniping". Webmaster Michael Connor announced that Bob Lattanzi's article on Caligula is now posted. The website is getting 150/200 visitors per day. Roger Burry reported that we have articles in each of last 2 issues of Celator. Ken Baumheckler, OCACC liaison, reported that they have changed to a new meeting day, the fourth Saturday of the month.
PRESENTATION
Roger Burry showcased a fascinating series of webcast presentations on the early history of Rome by Mike Duncan.
Respectfully submitted
David Stepsay, Secretary
SEPTEMBER 2008
The next meeting of the club will be held Sunday, September 14 at the Balboa Mission Town Hall, Granada Hills. The time will be 1:00 P.M. The presentation will be Personifications on Reverses of Roman Coins, which will be made by Barry Rightman, a veritable peritus on Roman coins.
BUSINESS
Meeting called to order at 1:30 P.M. by Barry Rightman, standing in for Bob Effler who is recovering from illness. Barry Rightman reported that the treasury is doing well. Michael Connor Webmaster reported that we are getting 150-200 visitors per day and urged members to keep buying books online through the links on the webpage so ACCLA benefits from the commissions. The upcoming Golden State and Long Beach shows and the new V-coins Auction format were discussed.
PRESENTATION
Hugh Kramer gave a presentation on Roman Cooking. Hugh began by introducing the dishes prepared by the volunteers and brought to the meeting for the delectation of the attendees. Roger Burry brought savillum (cheese cake) and mustacci (griddle cakes and cookies); Bob Lattanzi brought bread and described the ingredients; Ken Friedman brought stuffed (Tunisian) dates cooked in honey. What did Roman cooking taste like? Taste testing in which samples of the various dishes brought by the volunteers were passed out and eaten by the attendees. Recipes from Apicius and Cato the Elder revealed what the plebeians would eat. Lucullan feasts as depicted in literature and cinema were not too common (viz Trimalcio's Dinner). Mention was made of Petroneus Arbiter, a slave and later freedman who was emanuensis to one of the Emperors. Differences were indicated based on availability of foodstuffs. Loaf bread was not common until the first century CE. Slaves ate "farm" food - whatever was available on the plantation.
There was wide agreement that the food prepared for the meeting was quite tasty and revelatory of what the people of ancient times had to eat. A certificate was presented to Hugh in appreciation of his presentation.
Respectfully submitted
David Stepsay, Secretary
OCTOBER 2008
The next meeting of the club will be held on Sunday October 12, 2008 at the Balboa Mission Town Hall, Granada Hills. The time will be 1:00 P.M. The presentation will be a Seminar on Fake Coins under the auspices of Roger Burry. You are admonished to bring a specimen of a coin you have been "diddled" on.
LAST MEETING
Meeting called to order at 1:30 P.M. by President Bob Effler. Treasurer Barry Rightman gave is report. Webmaster Michael Connor reported 150-200 new visitors per day. Ken Baumheckel for OCACC reported that on September 28 there will be a presentation by Roy Iwata on beasts on coin reverses. Paul Ranc reported that a hoard of Balbinus denarii was found recently.
PRESENTATION
Barry Rightman gave a Powerpoint presentation entitled Personifications on Roman Imperial Reverses. Barry illustrated his talk with photographs of 40 coins from his collection.
Respectfully submitted
David Stepsay, Secretary
NOVEMBER 2008
The next meeting will take place on Sunday November 9, 2008. The venue will be the Balboa Mission Town Hall, Granada Hills and the time 1:00 P.M. The presentation will be a seminar on The Peloponnesian War. Please bring your Greek coins, particularly those of the cities involved in the War. On the side of Athens this included Athens, Chalcis, Samos, Chersonese, Kyme, Rhodes and many others. On the Spartan side cities involved were Sparta, Corinth, Thebes, Elias (Elis?). [ed. note: and not to be forgotten the city of Megara over which the quarrel started]. The book The Peloponnesian War by Robert Kagan.
LAST MEETING
Meeting called to order at 1:30 P.M. by President Bob Effler. Treasurer Barry Rightman gave the Treasurer's report. ACCLA elections will take place next month. A nominating committee consisting of Ken Friedman and David Stepsay was appointed. Roger Burry is continuing to send articles on ACCLA meeting to the Celator. Michael Connor, Webmaster, reported 150/200 individuals were visiting the website each day.
PRESENTATION
Roger Burry and Joe Tooma gave a presentation on Counterfeit Coins. They reviewed types of fakes, the fabrication process, and their distribution for sale. They showed many slides showing the differences between replica and real coins. Club members brought a number of example fakes to share. Roger and Joe followed up with a quiz. The audience threw out opinions as to whether and how fake; Roger gave correct answers, and audience did rather creditably. The session was a work-out both for the audience and the presenters and was well received.
Respectfully submitted
David Stepsay, Secretary
DECEMBER 2008
The next meeting of ACCLA will be on Sunday December 14, 2008 at the Balboa Mission Town Hall, Granada Hills at 1:00 P.M. The presentation will be Travels and Coins of Ancient Turkey with Randy Butler as presenter. This is the last of the series on his visit in recent times to Turkey.
LAST MEETING - BUSINESS
The meeting was called to order by ACCLA Treasurer Barry Rightman. He gave his Treasurer's report. Michael Connor reported on visitation to the website. The Nominating Committee per Ken Friedman proposed its slate of Officers and Directors: President - Mark Westerline; Vice President - Roger Burry; Secretary - David Stepsay; Treasurer - Barry Rightman; and Hugh Kramer, Merrill Gibson, Paul Ranc, Randy Butler, and Dennis Morley as Board members.
PRESENTATION
Roger Burry was the presenter on the Peloponnesian War. As usual he did his thorough job of researching and presentation. This was a major war between Athens and Sparta. After the actual formal presentation there was a show-and-tell of coins and books especially by Dean Ruby.
Respectfully submitted
David Stepsay, Secretary