WELCOME to Moffatt's Piano and Keyboard Masters and GEMCOM!

George
M. Cohan
Photograph and
Signature...

Yours
Truly,
George M Cohan

THE YANKEE
DOODLE DANDY..

who wrote...
"OVER THERE..."

He received a
Congressional
Medal
from
President
Roosevelt.

MAY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON BRING YOU
AND YOUR FAMILY...ALL THE WARMTH
AND SPIRIT THE SEASON OFFERS...

Dr. Watson
Morrison

Dr. Paul
Rutman

Our cat..
"FUR
Elise"

Mill on the River....
South Windsor, Connecticut

Gregg seen
here with his
TITANO,
Converter and
Stereophonic
Accordion

Gregg (seated)
with Paul
Bisaccia in the
background. The
cute one is in
the black
suit...just so you
are sure!!! lol..

Both studied with
Dr. Luiz de Moura
Castro

H.S.
Photo

Next trip?
Europe...off
to Poland to
visit the
home of
CHOPIN!

Val
and
Gregg

Raymond Hanson is one of the remarkable PIANISTS and teachers
that one of my teachers studied with and from time to time , I will
use this corner to offer you some wonderful performances of all of
these fine Pianists.

His wife, Anne (Koscielny) taught Sima Brodsky at Hartt, whom I
also have the honor of knowing.
Now, Raymond Hanson will perform for you.

Courtesy of..
Gregg E Moffatt
who studies with
Dr. Watson Morrison
Dr. Paul Rutman

Hanson trained by Harold Bauer, trained by Paderewski, trained by
Leschitizky, trained by
Czerny, trained by Beethoven, trained by Haydn and Hummel
(Clementi)

<--Click on the icon to the left
before trying to play the video
above. THANK YOU!

Gregg's Piano , 1925 Mason and Hamlin
"AA", 6' 2", Ebony before it was moved from the 1ST
Church of Scientist in Hartford to Mr. Moffatt's home.

Mr. Moffatt is only the 2nd owner
of this fine Piano!

LIGHTER SIDE...

Harold Bauer in an interview related how he played at the
Mark Twain house as they were trying to raise money to fix
Mark Twain's old Piano.

Evidentally, after the event the curator of the museum got
back in touch with Harold and related an answer he had
been seeking.

it seems that Mark Twain never thought well of Pianists as
he had written in a letter, found by the Curator something
akin to this...

" I have a darned PIANIST...COMING HERE
TOMORROW...just what I don't need ...
a PIANIST IN MY HOME!!!

That Pianist that was coming was Ossip Gabrilowitch...one
of the very best but one wonders if Mark Twain (Samuel
Clemens , of course...) thought that poorly about
Pianists...he must have hit the roof when his daughter Clara
decided to marry Gabrilowitch.

I would have liked to have been a fly on one of those walls
when that announcement wasmade to Mark Twain!

-GEM

Can you just see it?
DADDY! great news...THERE WILL BE TWO
PIANISTS IN THIS FAMILY !!!

Clara Clemens (Gabrilowitch) with her husband Ossip and their
daughter, Nina! This was taken in Detroit in 1927.

They both met in Vienna...as Ossip (Concert Pianist to be...) was
studying with Theodor Leschitzky, the famous teacher of so many ,
including Paderewski, and Liszt!

Many years later they married. Clara is the daughter of Samuel
Clemens or as he was known in his books, Mark Twain.

Gabrilowitch was good friends with Harold Bauer, Pianist who
trained
several people attached to my training. Bauer was trained by
Paderewski, trained by LESCHETIZKY, trained by Czerny, trained by
Beethoven, trained by Haydn. So Gabrilowitch and Bauer both had
deep connections to Leschetizky...and that entire line. They had a
lot in common...

Raymond Hanson came to Hartt on a visit and met , Moshe Paranov
who would later become his boss at the Hartt School of Music. In
that meeting, he also met Harold Bauer at that meeting and would
later study with him for 5-6 years + -.

Moshe Paranov-a past teacher of mine studied with Bauer, and Dr.
Watson Morrison studied with Raymond Hanson
who studied with Harold Bauer. Dr. Watson also studied with
Leonard Seeber who had studied with Raymond Hanson.

When I first met, Dr. Watson Morrison, I took to him immediately
for as I approached his room at the Hartt School there was a standing
BUST of Paranov outside his room. Since Moshe had been one of my
first teachers , it seemed to fit and be waiting for me.

Just like my Piano that I found that was sitting across the street from
the Bushnell where Moshe Paranov was a Co-Conductor with
George Hecht>???.

Anyway, I went to look at the Piano in Hartford and was somewhat
stunned that it had been bought new by the First Church of
Scientist facing the Layfayette statue....looking at the Bushnell...and
maybe even played by Paranov or Julius Hartt since it was bought
new in 1925.

Fate plays funny games in our lives. At my first interview with Moshe
Paranov at his home opposite the entrance to the college, while
sitting in his living room he was trying to find out where I hailed
from originally and all the background things. He asked me about my
childhood and I let out that I had gone to my first school on Tower
Avenue in Hartford, as we lived RIGHT ON THE LINE of Hartford and
Wilson , CT.

That I had a long walk every day, especially when it snowed...and on
hot days and on cold days, I would stop in at the Fuller Brush
Company, either to get warm...or to get a drink from their water
cooler in the lobby as the guard looked at me every day...rather
suspiciously.

He looked confused...somewhat puzzled...as this may have been a
sign to him.......as you see...Alfred Fuller was his major financial
backer for the school for decades. I never knew Fuller...but I will
never forget the look on Mr. Paranov's face. I liked Moshe
Paranov...he was up front
and gave it to you straight. We had many conversations and I talked
with him a lot in the short time that I got to know him...straight from
the hip.

Once while working on a little piece....are there any?...of CHOPIN, I
complained out loud that this was tough. Dr. Paranov smiled and
said...putting his hand on my shoulder...."yes, Mr. Moffatt....Chopin is
a very sneaky fellow...
maybe we should sit down and write him a letter!"

We both laughed...and so it went...

One day, I mentioned to him that he probably wished he was in
heaven ...so that he could be with Beethoven, Mozart and Chopin. I
could get away with talking with him this way...it was just me...and
he knew it...and seemed
to appreciate it. He was direct...I was even more direct!!!

He assured me that he was in NO hurry to go to Heaven! "UP
THERE...
with them" ...he stated, "I would be a nobody"..."but down here..
WITH THEM UP THERE..
I am a somebody!"

He and I both enjoyed and understood COLOR. In music, he related
most things
by the CELLO. There was no Legato...there was...CELLO LIKE!

He always assured me that, " you don't have to be the greatest
PIANIST in the world, Mr. Moffatt...all you really have to do ...is
outlive them all!"

We laughed...many times..and I NEVER CALLED HIM...
UNCLE MOSHE as some did...

THERE WAS TOO MUCH RESPECT FOR HIM ON MY PART...
to even think it...though the pillow on one of the chairs in his Piano
Room
was embroidered...UNCLE MOSHE.

But, no....I never went there. He is...and will be deeply missed
for decades to come. He left his mark in Hartford and on the Hartt
School of Music. All you can ever say about someone that fine....is...
TO SIR WITH LOVE!
- Gregg
P.S.--make sure to give CHOPIN...OUR letter!
He truly is a very sneaky ... fellow! God Bless.

Clara Clemens was
married twice. Once to Ossip
Gabrilowitch the famous Pianist. Then
after his death she married a conductor,
Jacques Sammossoud.

Ossip had been the Conductor of the
Detroit Symphony Orchestra and that is
why the photo on the right was taken
in...Detroit.

She was the only heir to the Samuel
Clemens estate as her sister had died
years before in a bathtub accident, from
an epileptic seizure that led to drowning.

She met Ossip in Vienna as her parents
would stay there for a few years. Clara
had a fine voice and also studied
Piano...with Leschitizky. This is how she
came to know, Ossip, who was from
Russia and had gone to Vienna to study
with the famous teacher, Leschetizky.

Ossip went on tour for many years, and
they didn't marry but kept in contact and
remained good friends.

Later, they married.

(Left to right...)

Samuel Clemens, Jarvis Langdon, Jean
Clemens, Ossip Gabrilowitch, Clara
Clemens, Rev, Dr. Joseph Twichell

Ladies and Gentlemen...
You are about to see something very special that I found...once I knew that EDISON
was a dear friend of
MARK TWAIN...the only known film footage of...MARK TWAIN and his two daughters at
their home called "Stormfield", in Redding, CT.
Now remember..this is not Hal Holbrook pretending to be TWAIN..this is the real deal!
An EDISON film of TWAIN!

In the interview with Raymond Hanson, he related that EDISON was known at the Hartt
School and was friends with
many there..so I made my own supposition...he would have known, Hanson..and
BAUER...who was friends with GABRILOWITCH...son in law of TWAIN! That got me
looking...since Edison was into film...and just maybe one existed. If you think about it...it
makes perfect sense...EINSTEIN with TWAIN. I would have loved to have been
there...just watching them try to talk to each other
Yes, being in music and having been a music teacher requires a good sense of humor
to survive. I survived...humor still intact..

and VOILA! THE ONLY KNOWN FILM OF THE GREAT WRITER at his home in
Redding, CT! >...MARK TWAIN!!!
Courtesy of Thomas Edison! I love the humor in ..twice around the house...
at breakneck speed.

Moffatt puts it over the wall with this YANKEE CLIPPER (JOE DIMAGGIO signed piece authenticated by PSA/DNA SPORTS)
of HISTORIC PROPORTION! The DEDICATION of the NEW, BASEBALL HALL OF FAME in COOPERSTOWN, NY!!!

A businessman in COOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK....was upset that the HOPS INDUSTRY was decimated in his area and was upset at
the financial ruination that took place in COOPERSTOWN and decided to do something about it. So, he created the idea of
THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME. He invested his money and set it to open on the CENTENNIAL OF BASEBALL in 1939. So, on JUNE
12, 1939...very early in the morning to get the most amount of people through the building the Hall of Fame was opened and
dedicated and an entire day of festivities and events ensued. HONUS WAGNER and BABE RUTH were to be among the very first
inductee's and JOE DIMAGGIO was on hand for the day's events and he signed some cards that were made just for the occasion.
10,000 people attended the event. A new US STAMP had been commissioned for the event by the President. A baseball stamp!
* * * *
This card was one that was signed by Joe DiMaggio and his signature has been authenticated and verified
by the leader in Sports Cards Grading - Professional Sports Authenticators ( PSA/DNA ).
* * * * * *
A major statement had been made that was used in marketing the opening that Abner Doubleday invented baseball and the
statement is on the card....but , it isn't true! YOU DON'T GET BETTER BASEBALL HISTORY...IT JUST DOESN'T EXIST!

Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York!
* * * * Dedicated on JUNE 12, 1939! SEE ITEM BELOW!!!

The EASTMAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC...part of the University of Rochester was created
and funded by George Eastman of the Eastman Kodak Camera and film products
company. The second DIRECTOR of the school was the Director for 40 years and is
credited with setting the school up for its current fame and rankings...
often coming in equal to Juilliard.

That person became a major American Composer and his name was,
HOWARD HAROLD HANSON.

Below are several signed pieces with his signature on them . This is a letter he
wrote to Mildred Fraser Davis.

Postmarked...in Rochester, NY on January 25th, 1941
at 8:30 P.M.

Return Address for Howard Hanson
Director Eastman School of Music
Rochester, New York

Howard Harold Hanson

Composer, Conductor, Educator, and Music Theorist
who was the
Director of the Eastman School of Music
for over 40 years!
1923...Interim trial period. (1924-1964)
Letter is dated ...1941.

(As an aside..Important date in history on
the postmark...President Roosevelt issues
Executive Order 8802 forbidding
discrimination. On the bad side?
Pearl Harbor will be attacked
in December! Dec 7th, 1941!)

Howard Hanson won the Pulitzer for one of his
many excellent works in music.

THE EASTMAN SCHOOL
has acquired excellent ratings and is often
rated on par with Juilliard! Most of this was because
of the early leadership of Howard Hanson.

Mr. Hanson was trained in music at the
Institute of Musical Art ( which was the forerunner
of Juilliard.) He studied composition with
Percy Goetschius.

(Percy Goetschius was trained at the Institute of Musical Art
in New York (Juilliard School) and later studied in
Stuttgart. He later took a position at the NEW ENGLAND
CONSERVATORY in Boston and then on to a position
at the Institute of Musical Art headed by Dr. Frank Damrosch.
(Percy's notable students were: Howard Hanson, Bernard
Rogers and Lillian Fuchs).

Howard Hanson had studied Piano, Cello and Trombone.
He was the first winner of the Prix de Rome
( the America Academy's Rome Prize)

In doing his Premiere, conducting the
New York Symphony Orchestra he caught the
interest of George Eastman....creator and developer
of the Eastman KODAK Camera and its film products.

George Eastman asked him to be the new
Director, of the Eastman School of Music...and
once accepted he remained there for 40 years.

Hanson believes that over 2,000 works by over 500
American Composers premiered at the school
during his tenure.

He was awarded the George Foster PEABODY AWARD
for programming on a radio station. (WHAM)

To celebrate their 50th Anniversary
of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) ,
Conductor Serge Koussevitsky
commissioned
Hanson's, Symphony #2,
and premiered it on November 28, 1930

"Howard Hanson....a look back through the lens of time at
an American Composer who made a lasting imprint
and a major impact on the development of
ONE OF THE FINEST
MUSIC SCHOOLS
in THE USA!

-GEM"

"In my personal estimation...the
hiring of Howard Hanson as Director
of the Eastman School of Music...
was truly...

a Kodak Moment!"

--GEM ;))

Just before he died...JOE DIMAGGIO signed
about 42 Baseballs in Florida and he signed
them,
JOE DIMAGGIO
"Yankee Clipper"

He also signed a VERY LIMITED number of
bats at that time for his estate.

Mr. Moffatt has one of each that came
directly from the Estate of...JOE DIMAGGIO!

Where have you gone,
Joe Dimaggio? Our nation
turns its lonely
eyes to you...."

1939...America needed
the BASEBALL HALL OF
FAME!

You have to understand
the stock market crash
didn't just happen in
1929...it happened over
many years beyond that
and would lead right into
a World War...when we
were attacked at Pearl
Harbor.

It has been BASEBALL
that has gotten us some
heroes...and yes, a few
Black Sox too.

But , it is baseball
that lifts our hearts
as a ball heads over the
far wall. We here at
GEMS ACRES OF
DIAMONDS...love the
game and love the history
of it all.

Pieces like the one to
your right...have become
part of my wonderful...
Field of Dreams.

-GEM

"I like the FLAIR and FLOURISH in his handwriting as it seems to
represent a Conductor's Baton move. His H...looks like a G...as in Gregg,
and his other H can easily be made into an M as in Moffatt.

I think that I MAY use it from here forward. The broken letters in the
name with breaks in between and not connected is a very Rachmaninoff
thing."

One of the many benefits of purchasing and building memorabilia
is the background you get in HISTORY! Like coins, stamps, etc...
you truly achieve a fantastic historical perspective. -GEM

Biggest musical regret regarding an entertainer, Pianist,
or Composer?

I was scheduled to go to Tanglewood....which is a place
that I frequent during the summer months.
I was going there to see Leonard
Bernstein conduct and give a musical program.

I opted out, not feeling that well that particular day.
I believe he died right after that concert and
that it was his last concert.

I missed it. -GEM :(((

GEM'S ACRES OF DIAMONDS
Sports Cards, Collectibles and Rare Memorabilia
"Rarity and Quality is Everything!"
All of Our Sports Cards are PSA Graded ensuring you of 3rd party
Verification and Confidence
* * * *
Offices in: Connecticut and Massachusetts
1-860-436-9375
* * * *
President - Gregg E. Moffatt, Sr.
International Dealer
* * * *
coming soon
www.GEMSACRESOFDIAMONDS.com
100% Positive Ratings on Ebay / Paypal certified

Another interesting
piece containing
two major
Pianists/Conductors
of this last Century.

Invited to a party and
unable to attend...this
postcard
gives us a glimpse
at two major figures
and the relationships
they formed.

In time, Mr. Moffatt
will own one of the
finest collections of
signatures and
musical memorabilia
to be
found...anywhere!

It will cost me a small
fortune...but it IS fun
to collect these
pieces.

Enjoy and follow us...
through the lives of
all the great
composers,
conductors and
pianists that ever
were.

Tuned last...12/9/11
With the enormous amount of time that
I am putting in...every 3 months!

Howard Hanson
Director
Eastman School
of
MUSIC

Walter Gieseking studied Piano with the
Director of the Conservatorium, Karl Leimer in
Hanover. He and the Director, Karl Leimer
would create their own Piano Method.

In the early 1930's, Howard Hanson went to
Weisbaden and did a radio program featuring
pieces of music done by many people.

He had the courage to feature black artists
and Jewish artists on that program in
Germany. This was Hitler's Germany....and
Howard Hanson
did the unthinkable.

While there he befriended a man that was an
excellent Pianist that had been trained by the
best. He would become one of the most
important Pianists and Composers, along with
Howard Hanson of this Century.

Walter Gieseking, Conductor is later invited by
Howard Hanson to attend a party in D.C. In
this postcard...Walter Gieseking writes back to
Howard Hanson saying he had gotten the
Postcard too late to attend, but he was giving
many concerts in Germany, Holland and in
Switzerland and that he hoped to someday
come to visit the USA.

This piece is of historical importance as it is
SIGNED, and POSTMARKED from Weisbaden,
Germany, two month after Hitler took Poland
and started WW II. On the front cover of the
postcard is a photo of the Museum and Music
Hall.

Both of these people were major historical
figures, Composers and Musicians. We are
proud to have this in our fine collection.
-GEM/Gems Acres of Diamonds.

Walter Gieseking had an incredible repertoire as evidenced in the book by
Harold C. Schonberg, in "The Great Pianists. ( A MUST READ.... GEM!)

He began Playing the Piano at age 4! At age 11 , he was working with Karl Leimer , the Director
at the Conservatorium at Hanford for two years!
At 15, Walter made his debut. The very same year he played ALL 32 BEETHOVEN SONATAS
in 6 Concerts. By 16 he knew most of Bach's works, almost all of Beethoven,
all Chopin and Schuman, pieces by Mendelssohn and Schubert.

Memorizing wasn't a problem as I said, because he had a photographic memory and
could memorize an entire work in one night.
His knowledge of pedal technique
was unsurpassed with special emphasis on 1/2 pedal techniques. His greatest fame was
in his interpretations of Faure and Debussy.

Masterful playing, extreme Pedal technique, incredible
PHOTOGRAPHIC mind, and a love and a wonderful
understanding of MUSICAL COLOR!
(Specialized in French Impressionists.-Faure/Debussy!)

Walter Gieseking
Photographic Memory
Incredible repertoire,
MASTER OF PEDAL
TECHNIQUES

Having been invited by Howard Hanson to attend a party in the U.S., to be held in Washington, D.C...
Walter Gieseking wrote back by postcard to Howard Hanson, who would be the
Director of the
Eastman School of Music for 40 years:

Dear Mr. Hanson, you were so kind to send me invitation to a dinner in Washington , D.C.
for October 10th. Your letter arrived here only a short time ago, much too late to send you
an answer in time. Let me thank you sincerely for this invitation. I hope the dinner was
eaten very successfully and I am sure that it has been a most pleasant evening. You may
be interested to know that I am having plenty of concerts in Europe
( Germany, Holland Switzerland, Italy, etc...). I hope to be able to come to your country.

With best wishes and kind personal regards.

Yours sincerely,
Walter Gieseking

Postmarked Nov 27, 1939
right in the middle of
Hitler's Reign of Terror.
Two months after Hitler
took Poland..and began it
all! WW II

To my way of thinking...which is usually not agreed with..and is certainly out of the box....this offer to visit the U.S.
for a PARTY ( a happy occasion - which writing to you right now is not)....is saying a lot more than it seems to say
on the surface. None of what I am about to conclude can be verified...but, I get the feeling because of the timing of
the offer and the PARTY location...D.C.??? (of all places!!!) and the way in which Gieseking responds to his friend,
indicates to me that he has to be and is trying to be very careful...because he seems to be "trapped in Germany!"

His wording is curious, as "your offer arrived too late", indicates to me...Germany took Poland last month as you
know. As WE now know, Germany went and took Poland in SEPTEMBER, 1939 and Hanson's country and
Gieseking's country were now at War. Gieseking continues, "Be aware, that I do get many opportunities to be OUT
OF COUNTRY on concert dates"...and he mentions Holland and Switzerland. If need be? His use of putting
HOLLAND and SWITZERLAND...sandwiched between Hitler and Mussolini...as neutral countries... I find most
interesting. It is late, 1939 and Holland is Neutral...but Hitler will go in by May of 1940 and take the Netherlands.
Switzerland is able to remain out of the cross-hairs.

He is careful to not blame his inability to attend on Germany and its leaders. He blames it on postal snafu's.
But, is he really talking about Hanson's party...or another PARTY...in Germany?

He ends with...I HOPE TO "BE ABLE" TO COME TO YOUR COUNTRY....I HOPE..to be able... ....TO COME...says it
all...that he is trapped! It isn't financial...as this fellow had money.

World War II has begun (the month before the Oct party date...Sept 1939) and Hitler isn't letting anyone go
anywhere....and certainly not to America. Certainly not...performance Artists of this aptitude.
This man was a genius with a photographic memory. He wasn't going anywhere.
This genius was doing concerts all over Germany and in Italy. He was hearing things...from important people
and photographing in his mind...all he saw and heard...in my humble opinion.

Hitler took Poland and began World War II , September 1939.....
just before the party date suggested by Howard Hanson.
Could all this be mere co-incidence. Of course, but I think two extremely bright people who were friends, were
communicating in a way to keep them both out of trouble in their respective countries.
Just an opinion....and it could all be hot air on my part.

Let's be VERY FRANK here....! Do you think a man is going to leave Germany, take a jet across the Atlantic
at a very high cost....just to attend one night at a party? I don't think so...more is being said here.

WORLD WAR II has broken out between two countries...and one friend is concerned about the other...and invites
him to a party....as FRIENDS do...to get a response to see if his friend is OK. He gets the assurance...and more.
A definite response that says...we will always be friends...no matter what. Because it is understood and implied
that , if I now hate you because you are an American...I would not say that I hope to come to YOUR COUNTRY...ever.
The Postcard has a photo of a Museum on it...showing their mutual affection ...for the Arts.
Interestingly enough, it was the museums of Germany and elsewhere that Hitler plundered.

I am a firm believer that when you see a lot of...co-incidence....lookout!
There is something amiss. Besides..both are acting like they know nothing about the war....Not a word uttered.
It is not what IS IN the letter that is curious...to me..it is what is curiously absent!!!
GERMANY took Poland and started World War II! This will be huge! And these two are talking
about a ...party? There was only ONE PARTY...anyone was concerned about in 1939!
No mention of the war? COME ON....maybe not overtly!

These two would remain friends despite the fact that both of their countries were at War.
"Music was the bridge...and neither would forget their Love of music.
Despite political affiliations....Music would always come first.
It was the ONLY language...that made sense in a world gone MAD in 1939.
-GEM"

Mr. Moffatt's father proudly served in World War II on a support ship in the U.S. Navy.
Gregg's father was a Botwain's Mate, 1st Class in charge of the back 1/2 of the ship
and had hundreds of men under his command.
* * * * *
We are proud of our father's service to his and our country at that moment in our history!
GEM

Liberace
coming out of Nashville,
Tennessee has to stop in
Chicago en-route to Grand
Rapids, Michigan for concerts.

Here is a photo taken by the
Chicago Tribune of him
signing an autograph for a fan
, Diane Barryman.

Back of photo shows it is from
the archives of the Chicago
Tribune.

Liberace was a "Master
Showman" that was seen all
over the world and many times
on Television.

He was professionally trained
on the Piano....but was known
more as a bit of an eccentric
and glitzy salon entertainer.

His musical interpretations
were full of glitz and glamour
and he was enjoyed by many.

Oct 31, 1954

I told my wife that I was going to meet, Warren Buffett who was the World's Richest man and that I was actually going to physically,
"bump into him!"

That was met with the look of total disbelief.

This prediction, made 3 years BEFORE it actually happened is still
viewed with total amazement by her to this day.

3 years later we left for the ANNUAL MEETING of shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway stock in Omaha, Nebraska.

At the Annual Baseball game, I looked up the stairs in the Baseball Park and saw people walking up the stairs to the very top of the
stands. There sitting at a table signing autographs seemed to be Warren Buffett. As I got up to follow them, Warren got up and left.

My wife said..."see, you were wrong...you missed him completely." Now Valerie, isn't one to gloat but that day there was immense
satisfaction in her eyes. She had heard me say repeatedly for over 3 YEARS that I was going to meet Warren and how it would
happen. Frankly, she was rather sick of the story!!!

A night or two later, we were both standing at the front of Gorat's Restaurant in Nebraska, where a lot of shareholder's were
having dinner. I was looking at the front desk at the waitress and beyond as there was a window behind her that allowed her to see
dinner guests and seating opportunities.

UP from a table, way in the back of the restaurant "pops"what I knew was Warren Buffett and I pointed this out to my wife. To my
right was an opening from an elongated bar area and I knew he was coming my way...though she thought he was leaving through
a side door. We were sandwiched like sardines in a can just inside the front door of the restaurant.

My wife looked at me and said..."close but...not going to happen, again!"

About a minute or two later...Warren Buffett is standing near me, having come through the opening from the bar to my right...and I
moved 3 steps forward as he turned around to answer a question from someone he knew. At this moment, I was now standing
immediately BEHIND the, Richest Man in the World.

Note: this was not my first foray into the land of the super wealthy. At about age, 12 my father
introduced me with this statement to a very wealthy man.

"Gregg, I would like you to shake hands with a very wealthy
Jew....shake hands with him...and maybe someday it will rub off on you!" I cringed-hearing
this...as I offered my hand to Mitchell Bronfman in town from Montreal to get my father to train
some Police Dogs as a gift from his family to the Montreal Police Department. Mitchell was an
heir to the Seagram's/Canadian Club Liquor fortune. At that time, many, many decades
ago...worth an astronomical 750 MILLION!
They would later buy...and then sell Universal Pictures.

Prior to that, I did track and trail patterns for Mr. Charles Kaman of Kaman Aerospace and
would go with my father to his home in Simsbury on the weekends. I had the distinct honor of
jumping off the top floor of the Kaman Barn into a pile of hay with two of his children. Kids..at
that time. That was a frightening experience..but a lot of fun! At one time, I lived on Kaman
Aerospace property in Bloomfield. My father was one of the FOUR ORIGINAL DIRECTORS of
Fidelco. (Mr. Charles Kaman, Roberta Hallock (Kaman), Earl Moffatt,
and a Dr...whose name I have forgotten...sorry!)

My father met , Charles Kaman as he was going to provide the German Shepherd to the
Hartford Police Department since they had decided their department would be the FIRST one in
New England to have a German Shepherd Police Dog. The department asked for a volunteer to
become the Police Officer to start this program by going to Baltimore, Maryland for training.

The herd stepped back....my father, as a Sgt. on the Hartford Police Department stepped forward
and became the FIRST Police Officer in New England to have a Police Dog. This began the
relationship with Mr. Charles Kaman...and why my father was chosen by Charles Kaman to be
Fidelco's "FIRST"...Training Director. .

"Mr. Warren Buffett of Nebraska, I would like you to meet ,
Gregg Moffatt of Connecticut!!!!",

...deliberately lingering and drawing out the play on last names. He turned, we spoke and we walked outside together where he
was going to be signing autographs...and that night he signed my book of , Warren Buffett's Essays..."first."

(In an another aside to this meeting , I had told my father to buy Warren's, BRK.A shares when they were $32,000 each. Dad
again, thought " Greggie " had lost his mind! The shares went to ...$150,000 each...and dad could have been a very wealthy
man! Parents have a tendency to always believe they are smarter than their...kids. Oh, well....)

I let my wife do the running WAY across the parking lot to retrieve the newly bought book...as she deserved it! I was now sitting at
a table with , Warren Buffett...and I was not going to move!

Some will say, that I made it all happen...some will say it was fate.

I say, Reach for the Stars...go for it.
Some things in life...we just know!

When I was almost deaf, I still saw myself studying PIANO with the very best.

Some things...we just know...even when it makes
no sense whatsoever.

Gates followed that voice ...right out of Harvard.
Columbus left land behind.

The successful people in life...don't listen to others as they follow their
OWN INNER VOICE. They don't run with the herd.

And the most successful investors are contrarians, many times...that are buying when others are SELLING...and SELLING when
everyone is sure this is an endless rocket to the moon, Alice! This is what allows them...

TO BUY "LOW!"
and , "SELL HIGH!"

I will soon put a photo of the book, and the inside Autograph from Warren Buffett
under this writing. Thanks Warren...for the Memory!
* * * * * * * * * *
But, for now....something has arrived from INDIA??? We do get things now from all over the globe...
let's take a peek! Interesting stamps...Indira and Mahatma Ghandi...cool! Pulling it out...there it is...
Thank You, Bindu Lama from Mumbai, India!

TOP OF PAGE
CLICK HERE

NEXT PAGE...FORWARD
CLICK HERE

The Everly
Brothers
History...
CLICK HERE!

Their Concerts brought
in the BEST in the
Entertainment world
and many signatures
were put on these
EVERLY BROTHERS
formats.

We have a ton of them!
The best that ever were
in Entertainment.

DAVE BRUBECK'S SIGNATURE...from the Everly Brothers Concerts at the
HOMECOMING MUSIC FESTIVAL
in CENTRAL: CITY, KY
Sept 1, 1990. Postmarked 21 years ago!

NOW, HOW DID THIS GET 1/2 way around the world and end up in INDIA? Wellllll, time to bring it home!!!
Boss on job!!! 30 cent stamp... Every item...has its own special story!

EBAY...we love you! International all the way.

GEMS ACRES OF DIAMONDS
truly is now an INTERNATIONAL COMPANY that is purchasing the best Musical Autographs
and Memorabilia to be found anywhere on this Planet.
We travel the world....thanks to the POSTAL DEPARTMENTS of the WORLD.

From Dave Brubeck, Dr. Albrecht Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Clara Benecke (Mendelssohn), Eugene List, Joseph Marx,
Liberace, Arthur (Artur, Arturo) Rubinstein, Sondheim, Elvis Presley-Mr. Moffatt owns the #1 Donruss Card Collection,
Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Rudoph Ganz, Walter Geiseking, Howard Hanson...
all of them....and yes, ...we will have them all! Thousands when our collection is completed...IF...ever completed.

The GEMS ACRES OF DIAMONDS collection of Musical Letters, Signatures , Musical Excerpts
WILL BE ONE OF THE FINEST COLLECTIONS OF THIS TYPE IN THE WORLD!

* * * * * * * * *

I saw this as a kid....and it is now happening!

"I guarantee it." Mr. Gregg E. Moffatt, Sr./President
GEMS ACRES OF DIAMONDS

Mr. Moffatt has basically retired at a rather young age....
and is now immersed in his pursuit of building a fantastic
Piano repertoire....with some of the finest Pianists and Teachers in the world.

He currently studies Piano with Dr. Watson Morrison who was a prestigious
Winner of the New England Conservatory of Music Concerto Competition
and with
Dr. Paul Rutman who was the FIRST person to ever Graduate with a Doctoral Degree in Music from
JUILLIARD! Dr. Rutman's Piano Album when it was released took #1 in its category
with Columbia Records. He has performed at Carnegie Hall.

* * *
Mr. Moffatt also keeps busy with his
INTERNATIONALLY RESPECTED
GEMS ACRES OF DIAMONDS COMPANY
* * *
Mr. Moffatt makes his home in Connecticut with
his fine wife, Valerie.
* * *
Valerie is a Connecticut
State Scholar, so named by
Connecticut's Former Governor ELLA T. GRASSO.
* * *
Valerie holds Degrees in Business Administration
and a Master's Degree in Human Resource Management
that she earned while servicing 1,500 employees Internationally.
She earned her Master's Degree with a perfect 4.0 , Summa Cumulative Laude Average.

She is well respected at the Fortune TOP 50
International Company of United Technologies.
(Pratt and Whitney Aerospace Division)
* * * * * * *
In 2010, she was probably the person that hired the most Engineers at that company!
* * * * * *
"I am always amazed at the work load that she carries and how well she
multi tasks in her present employment. I am sure...Pratt and Whitney
is WELL SERVED by people like Valerie that work at that fine company. As a student of mine,
I could see as her Piano teacher just how fine a person, and how focused
she was in the assignments that I gave her.

It was obvious...that when she asked me to marry her...that I just had to say, "Yes!"
This was one of THE best decisions that I have made in this Life.

;)) -GEM"

Even on
OUR FIRST DATE....

the Piano was
INSTRUMENTAL
in our lives.

Sweden
with some England mixed in!

She will probably be awarded the
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
for living with me all of these years.

Mr. Moffatt suffers from a genetic disorder. Mr. Moffatt believes this is the same genetic disorder that
Beethoven may have had that cost him his hearing. (Ernest Hemingway also suffered from the same
genetic disorder.) Mr. Moffatt was almost totally deaf in his 20's but
his hearing was restored in one ear and he has taken that to work his way up to studying PIANO with
Dr. Watson Morrison who won the New England Conservatory of Music Concerto
Competitions. He also studies with Dr. Paul Rutman who was the first to ever Graduate from
Juilliard with a Doctoral Degree in Music.

Mr. Moffatt went on to create a major Piano teaching company that taught thousands of students
over his 39 year teaching career!

He is now retired. (semi--as he owns an International Sports Cards, Collectibles and Memorabilia
company which is seen on EBAY called, "GEMS ACRES OF DIAMONDS.")

He now spends his days building a major PERFORMANCE repertoire and building his company
and his own personal collections which own some of the rarest collectibles to be found.

He is now building a collection of Autographs, Signed Letters, etc from all the great composers
and their family members that exist on the planet.

He wishes all of his past student's the very best during this Holiday Season...and remember....
if a deaf kid...could get this far...you too...can...REACH FOR THE STARS! May your DREAMS carry you!

Beginning a year from now...some of Mr. Moffatt's musical interpretations and PERFORMANCES will
be available on www.youtube.com. We hope to put out our first CD in 3 years. Stay tuned... GEM

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful people that
over the years have inspired and supported my Dreams.

Thanks go out to my father who ensured that at a young age I came to love the beauty in Music and the Piano. His
playing of the Piano in our home developed the interest in Music for me and in the sonorities that could be found in the
Piano. His help in getting us to Dance Lessons, Accordion Lessons and the rest of it was beyond the pale. This was
probably one of the finest gifts...a father could give his son.

Moshe Paranov (deceased)...for your kind comments to me as they have sustained
me throughout my entire life.

Elsie Easterbrook...the lady behind the curtain...that without you...THEY would never have had
me as a teacher. Your faith in me to become a teacher and your help has always been
appreciated and shall ALWAYS be remembered.

Gregory Babal for your patience and understanding.

Mary A. Helming, PhD ( past wife)... for helping me to repair my hearing and giving me the wonderful opportunity to
teach and now to go forward with a Performance Repertoire...and future! Also, for our son that bears my name.

Dr. Dana Muller for your time and concern. I will remember your determination and it is working for me now as I pursue
something long put on hold. Good Will Hunting....I know the lead character that was in that hallway and I am now
starting my car...and heading out to meet this destiny...without fear...secure. In a song that I wrote, " you can shield
your eyes from light...but you can't run from destiny." I now choose to embrace it..

Paul Bisaccia for your time and for lending that time to a young guy....with a dream.

Susan Anwander from Eastman. We hope you are fine.

Peter Woodard who allowed me into his home in Windsor to get a better understanding of Jazz.

John Caruso (deceased) who gave me those first lessons in Accordion that brought me here.
To sir...with love!

Joseph Ryan of Ryan's Dance Academy (deceased) who taught me about rhythm, color, and expression through Dance
Lessons in Tap and Ballroom at his studios , a long time ago, on Farmington Avenue in Hartford. His patience
I have used over the years with my own students.

Dr. Luiz de Moura Castro who showed me the importance of a high intellect and the necessity of studying with the best
who have the right pedigree connected to the best that ever were. It is rare when you look into someone's eyes and see
such an intellect...that will always leave you and me...kindred spirits.

Dr. Paul Rutman whose patience and concern for my musical future and whose past help has been so appreciated.
I will be honored to study with you in the years to come.

Dr. Watson Morrison....special doesn't get more special! Sometimes people leave you at a loss for words. Hartt never
had a better teacher and they have had many! I am honored to study with you...Sir!

and so many more....that have walked with me on this journey and throughout my career as a Piano Teacher....

But, most of all....to my wife, Valerie...whose love and devotion sustain me and will take me the rest of the way to my
goal of a PERFORMANCE ARTIST! Through our lives...some people that walk with us...teach us much about living and
loving. Sometimes...in a look....and a gentle word of encouragement we come to know....how fortunate we are that such
a person chose to take this journey with us. Valerie, is a person that has ALWAYS been there for me in so many ways.
I look forward to many more cherished years of leaning towards the sunsets ....and reaching for the Stars with her.

I count myself, truly LOVED....and blessed.

THANK YOU ALL...for taking a once deaf kid under
your protective wings!

I hope in the years to come....some work I publish....some recording
that I make...will make you all proud!

I love you all.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am the better for having known....all of you!
My life has been richer for the knowing.

Have a warm, happy and healthy Holiday Season!!!

Warmly,
Gregg E. Moffatt, Sr.
Moffatt's Piano and Keyboard Masters
Taught thousands of students over a 39 year teaching history.
The Moffatt Foundation
Providing Cleft Palate Surgeries and Wheelchairs to needy children all over the world.
GEM'S ACRES OF DIAMONDS Sports Cards, Collectibles and Memorabilia, L.L.C.
Providing the very best in collectibles and memorabilia to collectors all over the world.

E-Mail GeneralElectric1@aol.com
Phone 1-860-436-9375

$1,700 Card....
1 of 5, PSA 9 Graded
cards in the world.

YES- I DID FIND IT...
for.... $47!

Building one of the VERY FINEST COLLECTIONS of Memorabilia on the PLANET!
-GEM/President GEM'S ACRES OF DIAMONDS/Sports Cards/Collectibles and Memorabilia

GEM's---> Sports Cards, Rare Coins, Signed Memorabilia, First Edition Books-signed/unsigned,
Musical Autographs/letters/postcards-signed, Rare Baseball Bats and Balls,
Comics, Stamps, and other RARE pieces!

Stored In Banks Throughout New England

TY COBB Rare Coins LOU GEHRIG J. JEFFRIES SANDY KOUFAX J. F. KENNEDY

"3" TIME
OLYMPIC
CHAMPION

$2,500 Card!
1 of ONLY...ONE
EVER graded by PSA!

Clara Bow was known as the
"IT GIRL!" She had ..."IT all!"
THIS IS THE ONLY PSA,
OF THIS CARD THAT
EXISTS!

$,2000 CARD!
Charles Lindbergh
80 yr old card!

1932 Bulgaria Sport
$2,000+++ card!
"THE" HIGHEST PSA
Graded of this card...
on Earth!

It pays to have made
friends all over this
country...and we thank
Mike Denero for
allowing us to get
this...PSA 9, the ONLY
one of HELEN HAYES...a
world famous actress.
ONLY 1 PSA 10 in the
world grades higher.
This is the ONLY 9!
DEC 23, 2011
Helen Hayes...1 of 12
people that won...A
Grammy, an Emmy, an
Oscar and a Tony
Award...along with the
Pres. Medal of Freedom,
the country's highest
CIVILIAN honor, from
President Reagan!

Helen Hayes - 1 of 12
people that won....

Moffatt's Piano and Keyboard Masters
The Moffatt Foundation

ENTER

Moffatt's Piano and Keyboard Masters
The Moffatt Foundation
GEM'S ACRES OF DIAMONDS/Sports Cards/Collectibles and Memorabilia

..an Emmy, Tony, Grammy and an
Oscar!..and The Presidential
Medal of Freedom/Reagan!
Our Nation's
HIGHEST Civilian Award!

A Million Reasons to
Celebrate...
* * * *
In the true spirit of
Christmas we have
chosen and are proud
to have endowed a very
large sum to the
charities that we
support
on behalf of our
children who are
making this wonderful
gift available to the
needy.

This will provide
Cleft Palate Surgeries
and Wheelchairs
to needy children all
over the globe.

Cordially,
The Moffatt Foundation
Gregg E. Moffatt
President

A most charitable GIFT
on behalf of Julie-300K,
Frank-300K and
Gregg, Jr. 500K++

Gregg E. Moffatt / President

860-436-9375

G.E.

Property of
Gem's Acres of Diamonds

Hallmarks of Garbaty?
Porcelein looking faces and
red rosy cheeks. Great colors
and backgrounds!

$1,700 CARD!!

GEMS

GEMCOM
Companies

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Garbaty...
Porcelein faces with red,
rosy cheeks to look a little
German.
Rare and Expensive
to own!$500-7,000 each!

SHIRLEY TEMPLE
GEM MINT 10
1 of 1 PSA, 10 in
the WORLD!

$5,000 CARD..
1 of 1 in the
WORLD!

1 of 1, PSA
GEM MINT 10!

GEM'S ACRES OF DIAMONDS OWNS "THOUSANDS" OF RARE & WONDERFUL CARDS!

1935 J. Pattreiouex
$2,500 CARD!

Sonja Henie
Olympic Skater

Professional Sports
Authenticators, the
leader in Sports Cards
Grading has only found
ONE of these to grade
in 76 years! The only
Sonja Henje, Ice Skater,
which is Graded,
PSA 9!
* * * * *
GEMS ACRES OF
DIAMONDS IS PROUD to
OWN THIS RARE CARD!

TO BE SOLD AT SOTHEBY'S OR CHRISTIE'S IN THE FUTURE FOR KIDS IN NEED ALL OVER THE GLOBE!