Dear Mr. Barker - E.C.Wharton-Tigar 1962 and on.....

[Hot Springs Bathers]

John England spoke often of Mr. Wharton-Tigar, I believe John was a contributor on some of the indexes.

In 1985, not knowing any better I wrote to him asking some questions about British tennis and soccer issues. He responded with a nice note, some example cards and sent me current catalogs from both Murray's and The London Cigarette Card Company. A very generous man and obviously willing to help the uninformed like myself.

[philliesphan]

Martin-

I live in London...if you have any luck with the British Museum, please send me a note and let me know. A number of phone calls and notes from me suggests that they may not even have his collection catalogued...much less available for viewing

[Leon]

I am just getting around to more cataloging of hobby publications. Here is a binder, Approx. 9" x 13", which came with these letters and had many more documents in it, especially lists and cataloging information. I will try to scan some of the lists, definitions etc... from it into this thread. Also, here is the gifting acknowledgement from Wharton-Tigar to Barker.

[MuncieNolePAZ]

Interesting thread. Anyone ever see this collection? Wish I knew about it when I went to London a few years ago.

Chad

[oldjudge]

As I understand it the collection is stored in a warehouse and not at the British Museum. I believe, however, that with advance registration it can be viewed. These viewing times last I heard are extremely limited though.

[MuncieNolePAZ]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

As I understand it the collection is stored in a warehouse and not at the British Museum. I believe, however, that with advance registration it can be viewed. These viewing times last I heard are extremely limited though.

Thanks for the information. Would definitely enjoy seeing it.

Chad

[FrankWakefield]

I found Burning Bright a very enjoyable read. Wharton-Tigar had an amazing life. World corporations and business, World War II, spying, diamond syndicates, cold war activities, card collecting, and much more... the book is a reader's delight. There aren't lots of copies out there, what I was told was that DeBeers diamond people bought up many copies to minimize the public's access to the book. Wharton-Tigar signed many of the ones that are out there.

Thanks to Leon!