SIXTH ANNUAL CONVENTION FEATURES "BOURSE AND EXHIBITS

Sparked by Harry Mohler, a friendly, hospitable and admirable Bay Area group provided 0MSA with one of its most interesting and enjoyable gatherings. San Francisco donned its nicest weather, brightest lights and warmest welcome to greet members from all over the States as well as Canada.

S. G. Yasinitsky, 0MSA member number i, was there to observe the fruits and progress of the organization he was instrumental in founding some fifteen years ago and to moderate a panel on "Recent Developments and Future Prospects for Medal Collectors". All members will be inter- ested co know that the panel agreed that collecting will become more popular and more expensive. There also seemed to be a strong feeling that the Society should study methods by which it can establish a code of ethics for collectors and dealers, as well as protect its membership from ignorant or unscrupulous dealers.

President Rolfe Holbrook was reelected by a 24 votes-majority in an election that included only 154 legal ballots. He pledged to move the Society upward and onward during the next two years. Under his leader- ship the annua! meeting moved swiftly and efficiently.

Over forty exhibitors competed for four trophies under new Society regulations. Contestants provided the most interesting and educational display of decorations seen at any Convention to date. An excellent panel of judges, employing tally sheets and a refined point system~ found many exhibits rated quite high. ~

Dr. George Podlusky was judged "Best of Show" with his thorough four case exhibit on the Bavarian Order of Military Merit. David Me- Namara’s exposition on the manufacture of the Medal of Honor received the trophy for "Best U.S. Exhibit" with Roger Sullivan as a close run- ner-up. "Best Foreign Awards" was garnered by Gary Krug with his two cases of very fine German Third Reich Luftwaffe honors, and L. Richard Smith took "Best Orders Exhibit" with a case on the Prussian Order of the Black Eagle.

Most members, however, would be quick to say that meeting other collectors and enhancing their own collections at the many bourse ses- sions were the most interesting and rewarding phases of the Convention. The company was good and the prices were right. It seems that most of the material available is in the hands of collectors. Swapping and sel- ling moved at a very brisk and happy pace.

A well attended banquet featured presentation of awards, election returns, the gift of a new book on the French National 0rder of Merit from Mid0MS to each member and an entertaining talk by the much decora- ted Dr. J. C. Geiger of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, whose entire collection of personal decorations was on display in the Exhibit Hall.

Talks by Waddell T. Smith on the "History of the Pony Express Cen- Tennial Medal" Saturday afternoon and by Harry Mohler on his 1965 trip to Asia on Sunday morning were enjoyed by all. Phillip Weber gave a color-slide illustrated presentation on the history and insignia of the Prussian Order of the Red Eagle on Sunday afternoon.

The Society is indebted to Harry Mohler, Ted Wheatley, Stuart Nixon, John Langdon, Ed Melvin, Don Nelson and all the other San Fran- cisco area members. A fond thanks must also go to Mrs. Mohler for her helping hand and charming smile. Mrs. Ted ]Tneatley had created a most attractive and professional looking 0MSA Convention announcement placard for the lobby of the Palace Hotel, directing members to the registration desk and Exhibit Room. We all owe a very deep vote of gratitude to "Yash" Yasinitsky for starting the rolling ball many years ago. Surely the Convention was a gratifying experience for him.

Those who missed the 1965 Convention are unfortunate indeed. They lost the pleasure of making some fine new friends and of adding some excellent pieces to their collections. We should all prepare right now to attend the Seventh Annual Convention in Chicago when 0MSA will have its Sweet Sixteen Coming Out Party.

if(All photos on the next 6 pp. courtesy of Stuart Nixon & Dr. G. Podlusky)

U L~FT Mr Chue~ Bell (Long Beach Cal) SO "Yash Yasinits~y (Bur- ii lingame, Cal.), DeVere Johnson (Kenosha, Wiso.) and Alan Beckman (Hinsdale, Ill.).

U.RIGHT - Bourse Chairman Ed Melvin (San Francisco) and Secretary James Wilkinson (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.).

L.CENTER - Convention Chairman Harry Mohler addressing the convention Sunday on his "Asian Expedition, 1965".

R.CENTER - Mr. L. Richard Smith (Chicago, Ill.), Mr. Del Bassetti (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) and Mr. Paul Sandars (New York)°

LoLEFT - Mrs~ Mohler at the registration desk. John Langton is to the left and Capt. E. G. Hawkes to the right. Center is Mr. E. H. Bo~lan

LoRIGHT - A portion of the convention audience during the panel discus- sion on Saturday morning.

TOP - Busiest bourse table was that of So G. "Yash" Yasinitsky. Identi- -- fiable in the center are "Yash", Lowell Jackson (Kenosha, Wise.), Mr. Paul Wagner (Sacramento, Calif.) and Mr. Ben Knowles (Denver, Colo.) on the far right.

CENTER - Looking along the row of bourse tables, identifiable are Mr. George Studley (Avon, N.Yo) talking with Preso Holbrook. To

the right is Mr. Roger Sullivan (San Diego, Calif.) showing a medal chart to Mr. Rick Davis (Los Angeles, Calif.). Behind Holbrook is Mr. E. H. Boo,nan.

BOTTOM - Table of Mr. Ben I{nowles with cellophaned medal packets. Mr. George Studley and Pres. Holbrook are looking over Mr. Stud-

ley’s two case display. Mr. Rick Davis is to the far right talking to an unidentified gentleman. To the far left, Mr. L. Richard Smith is

i looking over some of the eompetetive exhibits.

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