| 2003
| ScrapBook
Subjects
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Page
Index
Links
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Link:
The Doe Brothers
Link:
Rollin' In The Doe
Link:
Bill Monroe - Father Of Bluegrass
Link:
[ Del Romines Store Cards ]
Link:
More Realistic? Artistic License!
Link:
[ Watchin' Fer Revenuers ]
Link:
Landis Numismatic Creations Featured...
...On CD JewelCase Cover
Link:
Landis Numismatic Creations Featured...
...In CD JewelCase Insert
Link:
[ Tres Alfano Hermanos ]
Link:
Doe Dough Cent Set
Link:
[ A Dragon From Blackfoot Idaho ]
Link:
[ A Yankee Fan... Also From Idaho! ]
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Enlargement scans available on WWW and ScrapBook CD-ROM.
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This WebPage Dedicated to The Doe Brothers
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Presented here are six Doe Brothers SBsubjects.
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| 7/30
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Click for
Enlargement on CD-ROM
1994 Landis Carving #084
On 1994 Silver eagle.
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The Doe Brothers
This wonderful carving is one of my favorite Landis artworks. Ron
captured both himself and Joe so perfectly. Ron must have liked it
also since he reused it on one of his Doe Dough cents. Notice that
Ron is portrayed in a short sleeve shirt while Joe is captured in
a jacket with a dress shirt. Now if you will check out the Rollin'
In The Doe music CD (immediately below) that TheGuys just
released and note the attire they are wearing in all the photographs.
Yup... after ten years their tastes in clothing remains unchanged.
Either that or this is the only good clothing they have and they need
to go shopping once their CD goes platinum.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
Here is The Story quoted directly from the jewel
case insert/booklet that comes with the Rollin' In The Doe
music CD:
Born from the ashes of a country-blues-rock-r&b band, the Doe
Brothers have been entertaining audiences in NW Arkansas and
Colorado for more than a decade. After the Houston based band,
Mystery Train, blew up in a "Spinal Tap" style spontaneous
combustion, Joe Rust traded his Fender bass for a twelve string
guitar and Ron abandoned his telecaster for his old mandolin. The
duo officially came to be known as the Doe Brothers during
a side trip through Eureka Springs, Arkansas on a fact finding
trip to find the right location to build a museum of coin making
technology now known as the Gallery Mint Museum.
Joe Rust, the 12-string rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the
Doe Brothers is also a master machinist with a degree in
imagineering from Whasamatta U. Along with his partner Ron Landis,
an accomplished coin designer/engraver, the duo are also well
known in the field of early coin making methods and are currently
working toward building a museum dedicated to the subject. They
have been partners in the project since 1991. Hence, the name,
Doe Brothers, the anonymous name, but also as in literally
making money (coins) or "dough." Or, as in "do re mi", or in Doe
Bros, (like the instrument) and on and on. The brothers claim to
have different mothers, but also note their fathers were quite
different as well.
The concept of being a "brother" band appealed to the duo, since
brothers always sing the best harmonies, even if they're not
quite half brothers. They adopted the name in haste to be able
to have a label that could be promoted at an impromptu gig at
Chelsea's Corner Pub in Eureka Springs, which ended up being a
weekend long affair, which eventually evolved into a decade long
gig. The name eventually stuck.
As Ron remembers it, "We
happened to show up at Chelsea's on a day when all the bartenders
had the day off and were all partying. We asked if it would be
okay if we played a few tunes for tips, and the reaction was less
than favorable. After some discussion, Chip finally won out by
insisting we play one tune. He shoved a five dollar bill into my
shirt pocket and said something like, "Go ahead and play. If we
don't like you, we're kickin' your ass out of here." After two
bars into LONESOME FIDDLE BLUES, the previously reluctant
bartender was on the phone telling her friends to come right down
to hear these guys. We ended up playing all day, noon to midnight
that day, and the next day, and the day after that. We had no sound
system. We were screaming our lungs out, and loving every second of
it. They damn near put a boot on our car and wouldn't let us leave.
I would guess it was about then we figured we found our new
home."
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THE DOE BROTHERS
$
ROLLING IN DOE
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"To anyone who has ever encouraged me, I humbly offer this work.
To the rest, don't worry, I still have my day job." - Joe Rust
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| 7/29
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Click for
CD Cover and
Band
enlargement on CD-ROM
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TheGuys --- relaxed!
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Rollin' In The Doe
The Doe Brothers have just released a music CD recorded
at Winterwood Studios in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It was produced
by Mystery Train Productions in association with Eric Schabacker
2003.
The music titles recorded on the CD are:
1:Somewhere over the Rainbow,
2:Melissa,
3:Sweet Allis Chalmers,
4:Can't Find My Way Home,
5:A Minor Song,
6:Legacy,
7:Ron's Rag,
8:When it's Lamplighting Time in the Valley,
9:El Cumbanchero,
10:Where the Soul Never Dies,
11:Ragtime Annie,
12:The Letter,
13:Everybody's Talkin',
14:Heartstrings,
15:Tupelo Honey and
16:Rollin' in the Doe.
TheGuys are such multifaceted, talented individuals that just knowing
them enriches my life without measure. Having so many interests and
ongoing projects definitely tends to diffuse their attention from time
to time but we are all the richer for it. With a major effort like
producing this music CD vying for their time it is a wonder that we
get as many Landis numismatic creations as we do. Thanks for
everything you do guys!
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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How to order: The
Rolling In Doe
CDs are available for $15(postpaid) from us.
Buyers can order by credit card on our toll free line at
888-558-MINT(6468), or send in to:
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Gallery Mint Museum, Box706, Eureka Springs, AR 72632
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Ron Landis... Sunday, July 20, 2003 10:13AM
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| 7/27
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Click for
Enlargement on CD-ROM
1994 Landis Carving #047
On 1994 Silver eagle proof.
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Bill Monroe - Father Of Bluegrass
This is a carving on a silver eagle I did many years ago with
Bill Monroe, the "Father of Bluegrass." Anyway, he died before
I had a chance to see him again, so it never got delivered.
Ron Landis... Thursday, July 17, 2003 3:14PM
If you perform a search in hyperspace on Bill Monroe you will
be rewarded with a plethora of websites... too many to have the
time to visit actually. The three websites that I visited are:
Link:Bill Monroe Foundation,
Link:American Music Archives and
Link:Roughstock's History of Country Music.
When I visited TheGuys this spring Ron was searching for all his original
carvings that he had retained for his museum collection. They had gone
missing and he particularly wanted the Doe Brothers carving (shown in
The Doe Brothers SBsubject above) to use with the production of their
Rollin' In The Doe music CD. The last time he remembered seeing
these carvings was at FUN2002. Well... to make a long story short ...as
one would expect, right after they put the CD to bed and all the artwork
was completed, the box of original carvings showed up hiding under
something where it had been for well over a year. This sort of stuff
happens to me all the time. I won't bore you with the details. Sure am
happy that Ron finally has all his original carvings back in hand.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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The GMM
ScrapBook website was created on 7/24/2000 with Ron Landis'
enthusiastic support and in the three years since then we have
generated 424 ScrapBook subjects. We are always in need of scans and
text about GMM/Landis creations.
Any help you might be able to
provide would be greatly appreciated.
A CD-ROM is available
with all the SBsubjects on it PLUS enlargements of virtually
all the graphics files utilized in the SBsubjects.
You won't believe
how FAST the webpages load when they don't have to come down
the pipe from the WorldWideWeb!
Verne R. Walrafen, ANA-LM553
www.gmmnut.com/gmm/gmm.html
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Del Romines Store Cards
I have examples of about 150 different tokens/storecards that Del
made from 1981 to 1983, including the ones you illustrate here,
which were made to advertise his first book and hopefully raise a
little money toward that end.
He also used them for calling cards, with his name on them (like
you show here), and made a bunch for me with the same obverse and
my name, etc. on the reverse. I have one like you show that was
struck on a 1946 W.L. 50c piece. I also have the actual die that
he used to produce a much nicer hobo obverse and the aluminum plate
he first used as the design.
I have no idea how many of each he made, and he made a lot of
different ones for schools, events, etc., that I have in my
collection. I also have mintmark and letter punches he made as
well as other memorabilia of his during that period. We were
very close friends back then.
Bill Fivaz... Saturday, July 19, 2003 10:36AM
The legend on the obverse of the illustrated tokens above reads
"HOBO NICKEL & TOKEN BOOK 1982." I have shown you the ink
notations off the 2x2 holders also and am not certain what BR2
means but have assumed that it most likely means bronze. If I am
wrong perhaps somebody out there knows and will elucidate me.
This nice set of five tokens sold on eBay while I was floating
around Sandy Beach Lake in Ontario. It came from a Dealer in Florida.
Certainly more will eventually show up for sale as Bill Fivaz indicates
that there were many varieties and numerous specimens issued.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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| 7/20
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More Realistic? Artistic License!
eBay item 3035957206 (Ends Jul-22-03 18:20:02PDT) -
1793 Chain Cent S-1.
RARE COPY! Excellent replica of a 1793 Chain Cent S-1 AMERI
Variety. EXACT same size and similar weight to the original
rarity. Dark brown color with some porosity. The best replica
I have seen! MUCH more realistic than the Gallery Mint issues.
COPY is noted on reverse. We have seen these sell for upwards
of $500.00! If it were real, it would sell for about $8,000!
I lightened up these scans considerably in order to be able to
show you the detail... so the color is no longer faithful to the
actual specimen itself. I am guessing that the COPY stamp
is along the rim just above the "TES" of "STATES" on the reverse
of this replica. As to this specimen being more realistic that
Ron's fantastic recreations... I reckon that is in the eye of the
beholder. To me this replica doesn't come close to measuring up
to Ron's work let alone exceeding it. Oh well! Such is life.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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Watchin' Fer Revenuers
While you can appreciate the fact that we can not divulge the
location of Lookout Mountain, or Snuffy's Still, you may be sure
it isn't far from Hootin' Holler. Even tho Snuffy was not born
as pretty or perfect as those from Lake Woebegone, he is proof
that a person challenged in both height and shooting ability,
can live happily as a self employed chemist, cook, watchman,
and owner of his own distillery. It's like he says; "If product
demand gets any higher, I'll have to build a fence!" While
this is not an endorsement, we understand "Snuff's Stuff" has
not lost a customer lately to anything other than natural
causes. Check his feedback... he may decide to go public.
Cliff Kraft... Saturday, July 19, 2003 8:14PM
Cliff is one of our most imaginative current nickel carvers. He
is always coming up with something new. This carving was just a
bit of a colaboration... Cliff carved Snuffy and then bounced
several ideas off me as to what to do with the extensive open
areas around the carving. I suggested "Hootin' Holler" off the
top of my head and then when Cliff accomplished that bit of
additional carving he was rattling on as he usually does in his
COOL Emails. He told me;
I would like to hit Snuffy (who is in charge of homeland security)
"watching for revenuers" with the etcher (real light). Like Thor,
I'm using the real fine beads. I will then pat him on the butt
and he's yours.
At first I understood he was going to add "Watchin' Fer Revenures"
as a legend to his carving. Then he told me he was just kidding about
what Snuffy was doing, standing up there looking around. To make
a long story short... I wheedled, cried and begged. Laid down on
the floor and kicked my heels until Cliff agreed to add "Watchin'
Fer Revenures" to the carving just to shut me up. I think things
came out really super in spite of my interference.
The history of the "Snuffy Smith" cartoon was particularly
interesting to the Ol' FatMan. Check out
Link:Don Markstein's
Toonopedia: Snuffy Smith
and I think you will find it time well spent.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
Postscript:
Snuffy arrived safe-n-sound but I think he didn't like being cooped up in
that shipping envelope so long. The first thing he did was hit on Mona
and then he tried to ride Fatima... or was it the other way around???
Anyway... I think he misses his mule.
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| 7/19
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Click for
CD Cover
enlargement on CD-ROM
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Landis Numismatic Creations Featured...
...On CD JewelCase Cover
I didn't record what repros I placed on the cover shot. It's mostly pocket
pieces that were laying around. I did however, count the cash. It's exactly
$249 in ones, twos, fives, tens and twenties. The original cover shot had
fifties and 100s, but that was before we paid for recording expenses. :-)
Ron Landis... Friday, July 18, 2003 3:51PM
The cover photo scan that Ron provided simply doesn't have high enough
resolution to positively identify all the various coins he scattered
around over the background of U.S. currency. I contacted the fine folks
at MMSdirect,
Link:www.mmsdirect.com,
and they sent me their graphics file of the CD cover. Turns out that
it was the same resolution as Ron's with just a bit more physical area
covered than what ended up on the CD cover. The color wasn't as true
to real life as Ron's but you can see the
Link:full scan if you are viewing this from
one of our ScrapBook CD-ROMs.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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| 7/18
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Landis Numismatic Creations Featured...
...In CD JewelCase Insert
I could have combined this SBsubject with the one above but there were
simply too many photographs and these wonderful professional photos
deserve their own space. These are some of the best photographs I have
seen of any of Ron's creations. It is nice to see them utilized in this
manner... combining two of Ron's loves ...coins and music. Some of us
wish we had a single outstanding talent. How come Ron gets multiple
talents? I know part of the answer is work... lots of HARD work!
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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Tres Alfano Hermanos
Sam Alfano, Master Engraver, has been creating wonderful nickel
carvings recently with a strong "traditional" hobo nickel flavor
yet each is unique and quite distinctive. I love the elder (left)
brother's full and detailed beard. The middle (center) brother
sports one fine chapeau which no one can gainsay and the retention
of the LIBERTY legend is always a big plus. The younger (right)
brother is hosted on a full horn 1915 nickel, an unusual grade and
date buffalo nickel, plus has some really elegant typical Alfano
scrollwork in his shoulder area. We are truly blessed to have such
a talented nickel carver creating carvings today for future
generations of collectors to enjoy and drool over.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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| 7/6
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Doe Dough Cent Set
eBay item 3033194258 (Ends Jul-06-03 20:41:10 PDT) -
Doe Dough - Gallery Mint 1992 Trades on Cents.
These tokens are struck over uncirculated pre-1982 copper cents.
These pieces were made the first year of the Gallery Mint Museum's
operation in 1992. Called "Doe Dough", they were intended to be
used as trade tokens around Eureka Springs (the trolley car on the
reverse is from the town.) The Doe Brothers are the two men behind
Gallery Mint - who also have their own band. Leather Rose and Roscoe's
Music are stores in Eureka Springs. Very few of these tokens struck
on US cents survive - and make a great addition to anyone interested
in cents, trade tokens, Gallery Mint items, etc. For more information,
see the GREAT Gallery Mint Museum Scrapbook! See:
Link:Doe Dough
(Doe Dough Nipped In The Bud) and
Link:More On Doe Dough
(When Generosity is MORE Than Its Own Reward).
Phil Barnhart... Sunday, Jun-29-03 20:41:10PDT
This set just sold for the bargain price of $29 and I hate to tell
you how long I looked for a Leather Rose token to complete
my set. The less difficult Doe Brothers token generally brings
about $15 so this set was a GREAT purchase.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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A Dragon From Blackfoot Idaho
eBay item 3028379009 (Ends Jun-08-03 18:30:00 PDT) -
HOBO NICKEL DRAGON LEE GRIFFITHS #4.
The dragon is deeply carved with a rich array of textures. It was taken
from the original pencil drawing used as the backdrop. I will throw in
the original pencil drawing. It should be worth at least an extra 3-4
cents. leegrif... Tuesday, Jun-03-03 18:30:00PDT
I should have shown you this fine carving earlier but life has been
hectic here in the Kansa Territories. The chance to have the original
artwork for the nickel carving is virtually a unique opportunity. Lee
has a very self-deprecating, low-key sense of humor... 3-4 cents...
Yeah Right! This pair of original artworks brought $338.33 which
ain't bad for a new carver's fourth carving... but then Lee is an
exception to the "new carver" paradigm, which I am certain we can all
agree on.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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A Yankee Fan... Also From Idaho!
eBay item 3035083521 (Ends Jul-20-03 18:00:00PDT) -
HOBO NICKEL- GO YAANKEES- LEE GRIFFITHS.
Things haven't gone real well for this fellow hence the baggy eyes
and bandage. At least he has picked a ball team that wins most of
the time. He is deeply sculpted with a five o'clock shadow, corn
cob pipe, nice bushy 'stache, and yankees ball cap. 1928 was a
pretty good year for the yankees, maybe it will be a good year for
you as well.
Our friend Lee continues to knock 'em out of the park. To carry on
with the baseball metaphores... as a nickel carver Lee is definitely
a major league player with a batting average that elevates him into
a league of his own.
If you'd like to read the introduction I recently generated about Lee
Griffiths for a future issue of OHNS's BoTales then check
this out:
Link:A Face Full Of Life Experiences.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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