From the editor:
The JRCS learned that Albert Ingram recently passed away. Those who knew Albert were impressed by his collection of capped bust half dimes by Logan-McCloskey numbers. He had held the number one spot in the PCGS Registry for half dimes for about two years. Here is a link to his set, which he named “Life After Cattle”
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/half-dimes/early-half-dimes-specialty-sets/capped-bust-half-dimes-die-variety-set-by-logan-mccloskey-circulation-strikes-1829-1837/alltimeset/176558
Glenn Peterson wrote to me to tell me that Albert Ingram was a collector of half dimes and also very knowledgeable about fossils. Glenn traded an 1835 LM-2 half dime to Albert for the fossil pictured below (metatarsal of ornithromimidae from Hall Creek Formation in Slope County, North Dakota). Those who corresponded with Albert may now understand why he used “paleofiles” as part of his email address!
I remember talking with Albert on the phone, sometimes to arrange a sale or a trade (recently I purchased a common 1836 half dime from Albert), but most of the time it was for the purpose of Albert finding out about half dimes that were being sold or auctioned by Dave Perkins. Albert was an aggressive bidder for half dimes that were the right grade and die marriage/remarriage he needed for his set. He built a truly great set over the years and thankfully, posted it online for all to see. I really appreciate how he recorded notes in his PCGS Registry set indicating where he got each of his coins.
Half dime collector Sean Kelly shared too. Sean wrote, “I got a chance to share some meals with Albert, and we worked together on a few projects. He was a big guy - but always gentle and soft spoken, and a man of few words. No artifice there - he was for real. We were competitors in some ways, and collaborators in others, and I'd looked forward to seeing his research on the Logan - McCloskey plate coins and maybe adding to it. He will be missed.”
Fortunately, Sean was also able to send me a link to Albert’s published obituary, which included a photo. One will note that in lieu of flowers, Albert’s family expressed that Albert would have appreciated donations to a couple of local animal/rescue-based charities.
OBITUARY
Albert J. Ingram
APRIL 12, 1950 – MARCH 18, 2024
Albert J. Ingram, age 73, of Knoxville, Tennessee passed away on Monday, March 18, 2024. He was the CEO of Al Kraemer Farm for 40 years, past president of the Mid South Santa Gertrudis Association, past president of the Breeders of the Carolinas Santa Gertrudis Association, past president of KGEMS and the current president of the Rocky Hill Social Club and current secretary of the Fort Loudon Coin Club.
Albert was preceded in death by his parents, Kent W. and Marie C. Ingram.
He is survived by his son, John H. Ingram; longtime partner, Patsy Monk; brothers, Kent Ingram (Rebecca) and David Ingram; nephews, Anthony Ingram, Jacob Ingram and Alexander Ingram; and longtime friends, Charley and Kathy Garvey, Lynn and Peggy Brown, Walter Gawryla and Richard Combs.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, March 22, 2024 at Berry Highland Memorial, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Albert's name to Young-Williams Animal Center at www.young-williams.org or Small Breed Rescue of East Tennessee at www.sbret.com.
Family and friends can share condolences online
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/knoxville-tn/albert-ingram-11717255/add-memory
