James (Jim) Ruddy Has Passed Away...

Mostly known for his business partnership with Q. David Bowers in Bowers & Ruddy Galleries, and his excellent book "Photograde" James Ruddy passed away on April 12th. More from the E-Sylum
---
JAMES F. RUDDY (1933-2017)

Jim Ruddy, coin dealer, author, and business partner of Q. David Bowers has passed. -Editor
Dave Bowers writes:

Jim Ruddy passed away on Thursday April 12th after a brief illness. Jim was general secretary of the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) for a number of years in the early 1960s before this became a paid position. All PNG records, certificates, correspondence, etc., came in and out of the Empire Coin Co. office in Johnson City, NY.

His widow Sue resides in Rancho Mirage, CA. There will be no funeral or memorial service as per his wishes. He is survived by two daughters, Janet and Linda.

Jim was well liked in his time and was in the top rank of professionals. He will be missed.

Dave will be writing a biography for The Numismatist. Meanwhile, here is the James Ruddy entry from Pete Smith's American Numismatic Biographies. -Editor
James F. Ruddy

Date of Birth: 1933 Mar 31
Place of Birth: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Attended State University of New York 1950 to 1953. Married to Marge Zucha 1953 to 1966, to Nancy Conklin 1967 to 1981 and to Sue Harper after 1986. He has two daughters. Employed by Ansco, a division of General Airline and Film Company of Binghamton, New York, 1953 to 1956.

He began collecting in 1953 and placed his first ad in Numismatic News in July 1954. Ruddy served as secretary of the PNG 1960 to 1964 and received the Distinguished Service Award. In 1990 he received their Founders Award. Ruddy was involved with several numismatic businesses: James F. Ruddy, Johnson City, New York 1953. Triple Cities Coin Exchange, Johnson City, New York 1954 to 1958. His first auction was held July 18, 1956. Penn-New York Coin Co. Johnson City, New York, with David Bowers. They conducted one auction July 27, 1957. Empire Coin Company, Johnson City, New York, with Dave Bowers, April 1958. Empire Topics No. 1 was published May-June 1958. The partnership was dissolved July 20, 1960, and Ruddy continued to operate Empire. They continued to advertise separately through June 1961.

By July 1961 Bowers and Ruddy were back together DBA Empire Coin Co., inc. Jaymar Corporation about 1960. Paramount International Coin Corporation with DiSalle, Humbert and Kelly June 30, 1964, to August 15, 1967. Ruddy was vice president and treasurer. Empire and Paramount both did business until 1966. At that time Paramount merged with Empire as well as Kelly's firm World Numismatics, Inc. James F Ruddy, Hollywood California, 1968 to 1970. Ruddy Investments, publisher of Ruddy's Review. Four editions were issued in 1969 and 1970.

Bowers and Ruddy Galleries in Hollywood, California, from 1971 until April 1977. They conducted 63 auctions. The firm was acquired by General Mills in 1974. Author of Photograde in 1970. The first printing was 2000 copies. By the 18th printing, 500,000 copies were in print.

Ruddy developed "Ruddy's 1930s General Store Museum" in Palm Springs, California. The museum building was donated to the city in 1987. He has served on the board of The Manuscript Society and as vice president 1988 to 1992. His collection of encased postage stamps was sold at auction by Bowers and Merena June 19-21, 1984.

bio: RCR 82; correspondence, 1991

Harvey Stack writes:

It was with great remorse that I learned of the passing of Jim Ruddy.

He came from our early days in the industry, was well liked and a dedicated Numismatist. His work with PNG helped it grow, and I know from you that he was a good partner.

I knew Jim from his earliest days in numismatics, and always enjoyed his friendship and willing to work together on interests in the hobby.

We "old timers" are getting scarce, but we do remember those from the past, when the numismatic hobby was one of dedication to the collector, a respect for the collector and good dealers like Jim were always good to have around.

I remember his first book Photograde which to me was a great tool for collectors to determine why a coin grades by its wear, and since he did not include Mint State Coins he always said to me that it is difficult to say what coin is better than being Mint State, because it has less bag marks, not struck as fully or had less tarnish. He was wise when he started his book with coins to show "how much wear makes a coin in lower grade"

I know he must have revolted against the huge scale that Numerical Grading gave to Mint State Coins, and for that the hobby alone should give him credit.

I am sincerely distraught to learn of his passing.

Dwight Manley adds:

Photograde was my second book purchase in 1974, and I still have it. He was an amazing man, and and I never saw him so excited as when he would show off his general store in Palm Springs!

I never had the pleasure of meeting Jim, who had retreated from numismatics by the time I became active. But through his books, business and activism he was a giant in the field. Pete Smith did have the opportunity to meet him in 1983, and he shared the following inscription. Thanks. -Editor