23.03.2014
Obituary on Jean-Paul Divo
Jean-Paul Divo, 8. 8. 1937 – 13. 2. 2014
Foto from June 6, 2006 at the wedding of his niece Sandra Reuter-Divo
Jean-Paul Divo was born in Luxemburg on August 8, 1937, His interest in literature, art and history was «placed in his cradle» by his parents. As a schoolboy one could find him in the fields around Luxemburg where, at that time, one could literally pick up Roman coins from the ground. The evenings were spent with cataloguing the thus found coins. He became acquainted with Romain Probst, later a coin dealer, and the scholar Raymond Weiler in the Luxemburg Numismatic Association. These were to become friendships that lasted a lifetime.
Having finished his military service in 1958 he answered an advertisement for a coin dealer by the firm of Seaby’s in London and was accepted. This was the beginning of a great numismatic life. His occupational career was varied and international in scope. He first worked for the classical firms of Seaby’s, Bank Leu and Spink (there as business manager of the Zurich office), then as partner with the Hess-Divo AG (formerly Adolph Hess AG).
It is remarkable that he found the time and energy to write so many books and articles, aside from the many auction catalogues. Some of these will remain standard works for generations. They mirror his great and broad numismatic knowledge.
With Edwin Tobler he wrote the standard reference books for Swiss coins since the 17th century. But he also was interested in the coins of modern Greece, Great Britain, and towards the end of his life, France and Alsace. He wrote two books on French medals with the collaboration of his wife, Françoise Page-Divo. The author of this obituary was also impressed by his knowledge and interest for the small, sometimes obscure areas of numismatics.
He spoke fluent German, French, Luxemburg Dialect, English and Italian. He even learned rudimentary Japanese through his work as business manager for Spink-Taisei, thus being able to conduct several auctions in Tokyo. Readers of the Swiss magazine NumisPost knew him as Ovid, who sent monthly letters from Paris. He reported about the French numismatic market, museums, personalities and everything that was of interest to collectors.
Jean-Paul Divo was a founding member of the Swiss professional association of coin dealers and in 1981 initiated the O. P. Wenger Prize, which the Association of Swiss Professional Numismatists (formerly Association of Swiss Coin Dealers) today still bestows upon worthy individuals and institutions who have furthered the cause of numismatics. Paul received this prize himself in 1997 for his many books, publications, auction catalogues and benefits for numismatics and the coin trade.
After having been secretary for 14 and bulletin editor for 20 years of the AINP (the international coin dealers association), he was elected president in 1997 of this organisation. This was the crowning achievement during his time in the numismatic trade. He held the office for 4 years.
On July 20, 2005 he received an order of merit from the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg. His title hereafter was «Officier d l’Ordre de Mérite du Grande Duché de Luxembourg».
His death is a painful loss for all coin dealers and many collectors who knew him. The Zurich auction and numismatic association scene will never be the same as when Paul sat in the auction room or gave a fascinating lecture at a numismatic gathering.
Paul is survived by his wife Françoise Page-Divo, daughters Juliet and Karin, son Mark and granddaughter Lumi. To these we extend our deepest sympathy and condolences.
His colleagues will not forget him and keep him in honourable memory.
L. N.-L.
