Harry as Collector

Harry Widener’s Price Code

Photograph

Entries from Harry's Purchase Ledger.
[Harry Elkins Widener Collection HEW 7.14.1]
M I N E R A L O G Y
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

A price code must be a ten-letter word without repeating letters. In addition, Harry also used an “x” to equal “0” (so “xy” or “yx” = 00). A collector uses a code in his purchase ledger or in the book itself to record the price paid, without any other collector being able to tell.