Red Book recollections: Joel Edler

Coin Update continues its series dedicated to reflecting on the long history of Whitman Publishing’s Guide Book of United States Coins, also known as the Red Book. On April 9, the highly anticipated 73rd edition of the Red Book is scheduled to debut. “Red Book Recollections” features personal reflections written by Red Book contributors, collectors, and others with the aim of providing different perspectives on the long-lived reference work.

Our next narrative comes from Joel Edler:

My fondest recollection of the Red Book is how my friend and I mowed a lawn to make the $1.75 that our sixth edition cost. We shared the use of the book for the next year, at least. He kept the book for about 40 years, and I get to keep it for the next 40. I have had it for the last 14 years. In about 26 years, I plan to give it back to him.

I still remember the lawn we mowed, and occasionally drive by it when I get back to Freeport, Illinois.

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