Richard Marles Passed Away

[Chris Perkins 228]

Richard John Marles, founder of the print works that became Rotographic, author of the first Check Your Change and the Collector's Coins series (among others) passed away last year aged 87.

My suspicions were raised when the complimentary new books I send him each year, and posted last week, were returned by the Post Office. I have since spoken to his long term business partner in Torquay and he confirmed his passing.

I'll add a permanent memorial page to the Rotographic website. Richard's books helped millions and inspired thousands of people to get into coin collecting and I'll always be grateful to him for building up Rotographic and giving me the opportunity to carry on his work.

[Peckris 579]

Yes, very sad. 'Check Your Change' was a fixture in the newsagents when I was a late 60s schoolboy. And he had the nous to change the name once decimalisation was done. Having said that, my 1979 edition of CCGB is very much a CYC-type pocket booklet, though with ever-more useful bits of information added with every issue. Even by 2000, it was still very much a booklet, though by then it had evolved into the A5? landscape format. It was cheaper than Coins & Market Values, and IMO far better though it didn't go back to early milled.

I never met the man, but he must have had a deep passion for the hobby. "Another one bites the dust".

[Chris Perkins 228]

He was certainly a character and not really an all-that easy man to get along with. An anecdote I heard today: A young man that was employed by him in the 60s was discovered to have been practicing the boss's signature with intent to fraudulently use a stolen cheque book. It became a standing joke when Mr Marles remarked that they do 'Check Your Change' and that no one should have to 'Change Your Cheques'. The lad was arrested without making any financial gain.

[Peter 615]

I've got all of the books (Blue.red.green & yellow)

My 1st Spink/Seaby was 1972.....I was 11.

[Peckris 579]

I've got all of the books (Blue.red.green & yellow)

My 1st Spink/Seaby was 1972.....I was 11.

Mine was the 1968 "Part 2" - I've still got it, complete with all my biro marks against what I'd got

[Chris Perkins 228]

Being considerably younger that the rest of you, mine was Collectors' Coins GB 1989, bought new from Fred at the Stamp Shop in Eltham (he had coins and model cars too), which was walking distance, or a short bus ride from me. Those were the days.

[Phil 6]

That is very sad.

It was the Check Your Change books that kindled my interest in coins during the the late 1960's - perhaps like many other collectors of a similar age to myself.

It was recommended to my me by my uncle, also a life long collector, and who indeed still is at the age of 92.

Sadly I no longer have the books.

[Chris Perkins 228]

I have Marles' own selection of books in the Rotographic archive, which include some oddities like Check Your Change Bermuda and Check Your Irish Change. Back in the days where books didn't have an ISBN.

[Peckris 579]

I've picked up some of the books either as a later collector (CCGB '79, '99, 2000) or at auction (CYC 'blue' 1968? and CYVC - Victorian - 'green'). Those early editions were minimalist to say the least! The values for most Liz II issues were a matter of shillings, down to "-" (face value only). Hardly any varieties were listed.