International Conifer Conference held by the Royal Horticultural Society of England

1
INTRODUCTION
2
1931

• International Conifer Conference held by the
  Royal Horticultural Society of England

3
1932

• Colonel Robert H. Montgomery issues a call for
  100 conifer enthusiasts to assemble and form a
  conifer society

4
1939

• Charles F. Jenkins attempted to start a hemlock
  society.

5
1982

• Jean Iseli and Joel Spingarn contacted known
  conifer collectors to form a conifer society.

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Summer, 1983

• First issue of the Bulletin is mailed to members.
  Robert Fincham, Acting Editor

7
1983

• The American Conifer Society is born with Robert
  Fincham as its first President. Classification as
  a C3 Charity is quickly obtained through the
  efforts of William Schwartz, Esq.

8
July 30, 1983

• The first ACS board meeting was held at the first
  annual meeting.

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A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW

• Conifer collectors of the early and mid 1900s
  and the founding members of the American Conifer
  Society

Presented July 19, 2003 ACS 20th Annual Meeting
in Denverby Robert L. Fincham
10
Tsuga canadensis

• The Canadian hemlock was the primary focus of
  American conifer collectors during the
  1920s-1940s.

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Charles Francis Jenkins
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Charles Francis Jenkins

• Collected variations of Tsuga while documenting
  their origins and maintained a personal history
  of the collectors of his time.
• Financed the graduate work of John Swartley.

Tsuga canadensis Jenkinsi
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Tsuga canadensis

• Frank L. Abbott found many variations of Tsuga
  canadensis in Vermont and was one of the big
  three collectors during the 30s and 40s.

Tsuga canadensis Abbotts Pygmy
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Tsuga canadensis

• Frank L. Abbott found many variations of Tsuga
  canadensis in Vermont.
• George Ehrle, Curtis Nursery in Callicoon, New
  York grew many Tsuga canadensis variants from
  seed, which he germinated in the 1920s.
• Joseph Gable grew Tsuga canadensis variants in
  Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, gathered from a
  variety of sources.

15
Daniel St. George
Collected hemlock seedlings for market. He often
worked with Frank Abbott, George Ehrle (Curtis
Nursery, New York), and Bill Horsford, as
customers and as fellow collectors for special
variants.
Tsuga canadensis Minuta
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Important Early PublicConifer Collections

• Durand Eastmond Park, Rochester, New York

Established through the efforts of Bernard H.
Slavin.
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Important Early PublicConifer Collections

• Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, Massachussettes

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Important Early PrivateConifer Collections

• Hemlock Arboretum at Far Country, Philadelphia,
  Pennsylvania

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Important Early PrivateConifer Collections

• Colonel Robert H. Montgomerys Collection at Cos
  Cob, Connecticut eventually donated to the New
  York Botanic Garden.

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Colonel Robert H. Montgomery

• Picea pungens R.H. Montgomery

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COLLECTORS OF THE 1950'S
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Collectors of the 1950s

• Jon Spaan on the west coast

Pinus sylvestris Spaans Slow Column
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Collectors of the 1950s

• Jon Spaan on the west coast

Pinus contorta Spaans Dwarf (L) Pinus mugo
Spaans Pygmy (B)
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Collectors of the 1950s

• Andy Sherwood in Gresham, Oregon

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Collectors of the 1950s

• Andy Sherwood in Gresham, Oregon

Pinus aristata Sherwood Compact (L) Tsuga
canadensis West Coast Creeper (B)
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Collectors of the 1950s

• Andy Sherwood in Gresham, Oregon

Abies procera Sherwoodii
Pinus mugo Sherwood Compact
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Collectors of the 1950s

• James Caperci in Seattle, Washington

Pinus parviflora Ogon Janome
Tsuga mertensiana Elizabeth
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Collectors of the 1950s

• Ed Lohbrunner in Vancouver, British Columbia

Abies lasiocarpa Duflon
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Collectors of the 1950s

• John Vermeulen, Neshanic Station, New Jersey

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Collectors of the 1950s

• John Vermeulen, Neshanic Station, New Jersey

Pinus flexilis Vanderwolfs Pyramid (L) and
Pendula (B)
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Collectors of the 1950s

• John Swartley worked on refining his Thesis on
  Tsuga candensis

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Collectors of the 1950s

• John Swartley at the Delaware Valley College
  dedication of Tsuga canadensis f. pendula.

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COLLECTORS OF THE 1960'S
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Collectors of the 1960s

• John Verkade, Pompton Plains, New Jersey

Abies lasiocarpa Green Globe
Picea orientalis Tom Thumb Gold
Tsuga canadensis Verkades Recurved
Tsuga canadensis Jan Verkade
Tsuga canadensis Jacquelin Verkade
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Collectors of the 1960s

• John Verkade at the ACS formative meeting.

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Collectors of the 1960s

• Don and Hazel Smith, Morris Plains, New Jersey

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Collectors of the 1960s

• Don and Hazel Smith, Morris Plains, New Jersey

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Collectors of the 1960s

• Don and Hazel Smith, Morris Plains, New Jersey

Sequoiadendron giganteum Hazel Smith (F)
Pinus resinosa Don Smith
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Collectors of the 1960s

• Don and Hazel Smith at the ACS formative meeting.

Don with Joel Spingarn
Don with Greg Williams
Don with Hank Wiesenberger and Tom Dilatush
Hazel with Al Fordham
40
Collectors of the 1960s

• Fred Bergman, Feasterville, Pennsylvania

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Collectors of the 1960s

• Fred Bergman, Feasterville, Pennsylvania

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Collectors of the 1960s

• Fred Bergman, Feasterville, Pennsylvania

Pinus sylvestris Barrie Bergman
Pinus parviflora Bergmani
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COLLECTORS OF THE 1960'S AND 1970'S
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Collectors of the 1960s and 1970s

• John Mitsch, Aurora, Oregon

Pinus sylvestris Mitsch Weeping
Pinus mugo Mitsch Mini
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Collectors of the 1960s and 1970s

• Alfred Fordham, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain,
  Massachusettes

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Collectors of the 1960s and 1970s

• Alfred Fordham, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain,
  Massachusettes

Tsuga canadensis Brookline
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Collectors of the 1960s and 1970s

• Alfred Fordham grew Pinus banksiana seedlings
  Schoodic from seed collected from a prostrate
  form in Maine and Manomet and Chippewa from
  a witches broom found in the midwest.

Manomet
Chippewa
Schoodic
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Collectors of the 1960s and 1970s

• Alfred Fordham also grew broom seedlings of Pinus
  resinosa and strobus.

Pinus strobus Uncatena (L) and resinosa
Quinobequin (R)
49
Collectors of the 1960s and 1970s

• Alfred Fordham at the ACS formative meeting.

Al with Sid Waxman and Don Smith
Al and Hazel Smith
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Collectors of the 1960s and 1970s

• Joel Spingarn, Baldwin, New York

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Collectors of the 1960s and 1970s

• Joel Spingarn named several seedling selections
  of Chamaecyparis obtusa.

Golden Nymph
Dainty Doll
Golden Sprite
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Collectors of the 1960s and 1970s

• Joel Spingarn at the ACS formative meeting.

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Collectors of the 1960s and 1970s

• Rudi Kluis, Marlboro, New Jersey

Pinus densiflora Jane Kluis
Picea abies Kluis
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Collectors of the 1960s and 1970s

• Martin Brooks, Doylestown, Pennsylvania

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COLLECTORS OF THE 1970'S AND 1980'S
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Layne Ziegenfuss, Lehighton, Pennsylvania and
  Greg Williams, Wolcott, Vermont

Picea glauca Cecilia
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Layne Ziegenfuss and Greg Williams plant
  introductions

Picea pungens Hillside 1
Picea pungens St. Mary
Picea pungens Walnut Glen
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Layne Ziegenfuss and Greg Williams plant
  introductions

Pseudotsuga menziesii Hillside Gold
Pseudotsuga menziesii Hillside Pride
Pinus strobus Hillside Winter Gold
Pinus strobus Hillside Gem
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Layne Ziegenfuss and Greg Williams plant
  introductions

Pinus sylvestris Hillside Creeper
Pinus strobus Greg
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Layne and Greg introduced many other plants
  through Laynes Hillside Gardens.

Pinus virginiana Wates Golden
Pseudotsuga menziesii Graceful Grace and
Little Jon
Pinus sylvestris Bennett Compact
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Layne and Greg at the ACS formative meeting

John Verkade, Layne, and Greg
Don Smith and Greg
Greg, Layne, Bob Fincham, and Sid Waxman
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Greg Williams finds

Pinus strobus Louie
Pinus strobus Stowe Pillar
Pinus strobus Tiny Kurls
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Greg Williams finds

Picea abies Perrys Gold
Picea abies Vermont Gold
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Joe Burke, Merrick, New York

Pinus parviflora Burkes Bonsai
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Joe Reis and Ed Rezek were two names that were
  always said together, like Layne and Greg.

Joe Reis and his best selection are shown here.
Joe Reis and his best selection (Elizabeth) are
shown here.
Chamaecyparis obtusa Bess
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Joe Reis and his selections.

Chamaecyparis obtusa JR
Chamaecyparis obtusa Meroke
Chamaecyparis obtusa Reis Dwarf
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• The Joe Reis Garden

Chamaecyparis obtusa Bess
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Ed Rezek and his garden

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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Ed Rezek and his garden

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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Joe Reis and Ed Rezek at the ACS formative
  meeting.

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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Dave Patterson was in charge of the grounds at
  Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Dick Bush, Canby, Oregon at ACS meetings

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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Dick Bush introductions

Picea englemannii Lace
Picea pungens Porcupine
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Jean Iseli, Boring, Oregon

Jean may have been smiling at the memory of this
scene.
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Jean Iseli, Boring, Oregon

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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Jean Iselis garden and introductions

Picea pungens Iseli Fastigiate
Picea pungens Donnas Rainbow
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Jean Iselis introductions

Picea pungens Iseli Foxtail
Picea pungens Fat Albert
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Jean Iseli at the ACS formative meeting

Jean, Howard Kellerman, John Verkade
Jean, Harold Epstein, Maxine Schwarz, Tom Dilatush
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Gordon Bentham, Victoria, British Columbia

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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Gordon Bentham and Flora Vista introductions

Cedrus deodara Silver Mist
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Gordon Bentham and Flora Vista introductions

Abies koreana Aurea
Picea sitchensis Benthams Sunlight
Cedrus deodara Cream Puff
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Edsel Wood, Wilsonville, Oregon

Cryptomeria japonica Ryoku Gyoku
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Edsel Wood discoveries

Tsuga canadensis Mount Hood
Pinus densiflora Esdel Wood
Tsuga canadensis Canby
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Sidney Waxman, Storrs, Connecticut

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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Sidney Waxman, Storrs, Connecticut

Pinus strobus Green Shadow (R)
Pinus strobus Blue Shag
Pinus strobus Sea Urchin
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Sidney Waxman at the ACS formative meeting

Layne Ziegenfuss, Bob Fincham, and Sidney
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Jim Cross, Cutcheague, New York

Harold Epstein and Jim
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Jim Cross entrance to Environmentals

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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Billy Schwartz, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Tom Dilatush, Robbinsville, New Jersey at the ACS
  formative meeting

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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Augustus Kelly, Little Compton, Rhode Island

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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Augustus Kelly at the ACS formative meeting.

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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Harold Epstein, Larchmont, New York at the ACS
  formative meeting

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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Bob Fincham, a school teacher by profession,
  started collecting conifers in the 1970s.

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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s

• Picea abies Gold Drift

Picea glauca Beehive
Pinus mugo Little Delight
Picea mariana Blue Teardrop
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Collectors of the 1970s and 1980s
Bob with Layne Ziegenfuss and Syd Waxman at the
ACS formative meeting
Bob with Al Fordham
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Gardens of the 1970s and 1980s

• Alphonso Ossorio, East Hampton, New York

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Gardens of the 1970s and 1980s

• Alphonso Ossorio The Creeks

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Gardens of the 1970s and 1980s

• Alphonso Ossorio The Creeks

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Gardens of the 1970s and 1980s

• Alphonso Ossorio with an ACS group following the
  first annual meeting in 1983.

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Gardens of the 1970s and 1980s

• Gotelli Dwarf Conifer Collection at the United
  States National Arboretum

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Gardens of the 1970s and 1980s

• Chub Harper and the collections at Hidden lake
  and The Bickelhaupt Arboretum

103
Gardens of the 1970s and 1980s

• Chub Harper and the collection at Hidden lake

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Gardens of the 1970s and 1980s

• Chub Harper and the collection at The Bickelhaupt
  Arboretum

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THE PRESENT INTO THE FUTURE

• Collectors are now able to network through the
  Conifer Society and the Tough Act to Follow is
  being followed up very nicely.

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THE PRESENT INTO THE FUTURE

• Today a mix of experienced and new conifer
  collectors are adding to the conifer pallet at an
  astounding rate.
• This mix includes people like Joe Stupka, Dennis
  Dodge, Randy Dykstra and many others, too
  numerous to mention in a one hour presentation.
• It also includes people who were taken away too
  soon like Pete Girard and JC Raulston.

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THE PRESENT INTO THE FUTURE

• Collectors

DON HOWSE
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THE PRESENT INTO THE FUTURE

• Collectors

PANAYOTIKELAIDIS
109
THE PRESENT INTO THE FUTURE

• Collectors

LARRY STANLEY
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THE PRESENT INTO THE FUTURE

• Collectors

JERRY MORRIS
111
THE PRESENT INTO THE FUTURE

• Collectors

DENNIS LEE
CINDY PEASE
112
THE PRESENT INTO THE FUTURE

• Collectors

ACS DENVER
113
THE PRESENT INTO THE FUTURE

• Collectors

MARTIN BROOKS
114
THE PRESENT INTO THE FUTURE

• Collectors

115
THE PRESENT INTO THE FUTURE

• Collectors

GARY WITTENBAUGH
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THE PRESENT INTO THE FUTURE

• Collectors

GEORGE OKKEN
CHARLES PACQUELET
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THE PRESENT INTO THE FUTURE

• Collectors

RICHARD EYRE
118
THE PRESENT INTO THE FUTURE
Clark Coe

• Collectors

119
THE PRESENT INTO THE FUTURE

• Collectors

120
THE PRESENT INTO THE FUTURE
MARLOWE MARCUS

• Collectors

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
ROBERT L. FINCHAM ACS 20TH ANNUAL MEETING JULY
19, 2003