ANS Library Chair Endowmant Benefit Auction - Results
August 27, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The American Numismatic Society Library Chair Endowment Benefit Auction held in
Pittsburgh on August 19th was, by almost any measure, a great success. Thanks
are due John W. Adams, Chairman of the ANS Library Committee, for his
leadership, the donors for their important contributions, and the three dozen
or so sale attendees who, combined with a like number of absentee bidders, bid
often and generously. Estimated at around $50,000, the fifty lots in the sale
brought nearly $90,000. ANS Librarian Frank Campbell attended the sale and may
have even blushed a time or two at prices that often were more a tribute to his
long and faithful stewardship than a reflection of the marketplace.
The prices realized list and catalogue will be accessible for a short time at
our web site: www.numislit.com. Thanks are also due E-sylum editor, Wayne
Homren, for his valuable help in planning the event.
Press Release: Sale 94, Clain-Stefanelli Library, October 14, 2004
George Frederick Kolbe/Fine Numismatic Books will conduct their 94th auction
sale of rare and important numismatic literature on Thursday, October 14, 2004.
Featuring 1313 lots, the sale covers a wide range of numismatic topics. Half of
the sale is devoted to important numismatic works from the major numismatic
library formed by longtime Curators of the Smithsonian Institution, Vladimir
and Elvira Eliza Clain-Stefanelli. Particularly rich in the field of ancient
numismatics, the Clain-Stefanelli material also features many rare and classic
works on medieval and modern numisnatics. Other consignments feature important
works on American numismatics, including an exceptionally large selection of
early editions of R. S. Yeoman's "Guide Book of United States Coins," popularly
known at "The Red Book. A number of important antiquarian numismatic titles are
also featured.
Some October 14th sale highlights follow: Edward T. Newell's superb original set
of Ernest Babelon's monumental "Traité des Monnaies Grecques et Romaines,"
complete with the de Mogran supplementary volumes; an interesting selection of
works from the Frank and Laurese Katen Library, highlighted by a possibly
unique 1891 Price List issued by the founder of the American Numismatic
Association, Dr. George F. Heath, autographed by him and also by his son Donald
Heath; a nice library on Latin American numismatics including original works by
Medina, Dasí, Meili, and Rosa; a remarkable collection of Yeoman "Red Books"
featuring interleaved editions,advance copies, inscribed editions, and error
copies; a nearly complete set of the "American Journal of Numismatics"; an
original set of Furtwängler's 1900 "Die Antiken Gemmen"; an original set of
Mionnet's "Description de Médailles Antiques"; Rostowzew's classic 1903-1905
work on ancient lead seals from the T. O. Mabbott library, including an
inventory of his collection; an extensive selection of "Sylloge Nummorum
Graecorum" volumes; classic European auction sales featuring Russian coins;
important antiquarian titles including a superb 1538 copy of Budé's "Summaire"
of his "De Asse et Partibus Eius," and a special edition of Goltz's 1563 "C.
Julius Caesar…ex Antiquis Numismatibus Restitutae"; classic works on Dutch
medals and history by van Loon; a fine set of Svoronos' 1904-1908 "Coins of the
Ptolemies"; etc.; etc.
The sale may be viewed at www.numislit.com. Copies of the printed catalogue may
be obtained by sending $15.00 to the firm.
Press Release ANS Library Chair Benefit Auction Sale August 19, 2004
The August 19, 2004 American Numismatic Society Library Chair Benefit auction
sale catalogue is currently being printed. Any NBS members not on our mailing
list can obtain a copy of the catalogue by sending $5.00, made payable to the
American Numismatic Society, to George Frederick Kolbe, P. O. Drawer 3100,
Crestline, CA 92325. Fifty lots are featured in the sale, covering a wide
variety of topics; average lot value is slightly over $1,000. The catalogue is
also accessible on our web site: www.numislit.com.
We would also like to announce that the English translation of Ernest Babelon's
"Ancient Numismatics and Its History, Including a Critical Review of the
Literature" has, after long last, been published by Kolbe & Spink. It
remains the best, and only, comprehensive introduction to the history of
ancient numismatics ever written. Hardbound copies of this 248 page book are
available from us for $68.50 plus $5.00 shipping in USA; elsewhere $12.50 air
mail or $6.50 surface mail. Further details are available on our web site.
John J. Ford, Jr. Sale - Results
Numismatic literature history was made when the 1,000 lot first part of the John
J. Ford, Jr. American Numismatic Library was sold at public auction on June 1,
2004 at The Mission Inn in Riverside, California. It was the most important
auction of rare American numismatic literature ever held, and the first part
alone brought substantially more, at 1.66 million dollars, than the four Armand
Champa library sales (approximately 1 million dollars), or the five Harry Bass
library sales (1.25 million dollars). The pre-sale estimates totalled just
under a million dollars, but 63 registered floor bidders, 16 telephone bidders,
and 150 absentee bidders combined to produce a plethora of record prices across
the board. The prior record for a single day auction of numismatic literature,
worldwide, is under a half million dollars, setting the sale of the Ford
library in a class by itself. The auction was held by Kolbe in association with
Stack’s, and a limited number of well illustrated catalogues, including a
prices realized list, may still be ordered by sending $35.00 to George
Frederick Kolbe, Fine Numismatic Books, P. O. Drawer 3100, Crestline, CA 92325.
A few sale highlights follow: Hiram Deats’ superb set of the first six volumes
of The Numismatist, 1888-1993, estimated at $15,000, sold for $40,250; Adolphus
Hart’s 1851 History of the Issues of Paper Money in the American Colonies, one
of only three copies known with the Historical Chart brought $34,500 on a
$12,500 estimate; opening at $10,000, the original inventory of the legendary
Waldo Newcomer Collection of American coins sold for $19,550; also opening at
$10,000, the original F. C. C. Boyd appraisal and inventory of the massive coin
collection formed by Col. E. H. R. Green brought $42,550 to an indefatigable
telephone bidder; the most important assemblage of Chapman Brothers auction
catalogues ever offered, including superb examples with original photographic
plates, and many of the firm’s unique Bid Books for their most important
auctions, generally brought record prices; over twenty rare Thomas Elder
auction catalogues with original photographic plates also sold very well;
numerous Wayte Raymond catalogues with photographic plates and all four of the
firm’s unique bid books of the monumental 1920s W. W. C. Wilson sales were
avidly sought after; important Americana, including a superb selection of early
Western and other rare American Directories generally sold well above the
estimates; two original copies of Attinelli’s 1876 Numisgraphics brought $4,025
and $6,325; a superb set of Milford Haven’s classic work on Naval Medals
realized $5,060; classic works on large cents, including deluxe editions and
famous collectors’ copies were in great demand; rare publications on fractional
currency and Confederate currency were likewise avidly sought after, including
perhaps the finest example known of Thian’s Register of the Confederate Debt,
one of only five issued, which sold for $35,650 on a $12,500 estimate; classic
works and unique manuscripts on American colonial coins were in demand, and the
Dr. Hall/Hays manuscript on Connecticut coppers realized $23,000; several
Eckfeldt and Du Bois works featured actual samples of California ‘49er gold and
all sold for well over the estimates, particularly the 1842-1849 edition which
brought $9,200 on a $3,500 estimate; Ed Frossard’s own set of his first 150
auction sale catalogues, handsomely bound in fifteen volumes, was one of the
great highlights of the sale, opening for $6,000 on a $10,000 estimate, and
ending up at $46,000; the 1861 private letter copy book of C. G. Memminger,
Secretary of the Treasury of the Confederate States of America brought $24,150.
Those interested in learning more about this landmark sale or in accessing the
catalogue and prices realized list online may do so by visiting:
www.numislit.com
UPCOMING KOLBE SALES
April 2, 2004
The first part of the John J. Ford, Jr. American Numismatic Library will be sold
at public auction on June 1, 2004 at The Mission Inn in Riverside, California.
It will be the most important auction of rare American numismatic literature
ever sold. The sale is being held in association with the New York coin firm
Stack’s, and illustrated catalogues may be ordered by sending $35.00 to George
Frederick Kolbe, Fine Numismatic Books, P. O. Drawer 3100, Crestline, CA 92325.
The catalogue is also accessible at the firm’s web site: www.numislit.com.
The estimates of the one thousand lots in the sale total a million dollars.
Many of the greatest American rarities are featured, among them: Hiram Deats’
superb set of the first six volumes of The Numismatist, 1888-1993; Adolphus
Hart’s 1851 History of the Issues of Paper Money in the American Colonials, one
of only three copies known with the Historical Chart; the original inventory of
the legendary Waldo Newcomer Collection of American coins; the original F. C.
C. Boyd appraisal and inventory of the massive coin collection formed by Col.
E. H. R. Green; no less than seven different varieties of The American Bond
Detector, including a superb leatherbound edition, a salesman’s sample, and the
rare 1871 second edition; thirty-three Heath’s Counterfeit Detectors, including
two Household Editions and a deluxe leatherbound edition; the most important
assemblage of Chapman Brothers auction catalogues ever offered, including
superb examples with original photographic plates, and many of the firm’s
unique Bid Books for their most important auctions; over twenty rare Thomas
Elder auction catalogues with original photographic plates; extremely important
manuscripts and correspondence written by Walter Breen; numerous Wayte Raymond
catalogues with photographic plates and all four of the firm’s unique bid books
of the monumental 1920s W. W. C. Wilson sales; important Americana, including a
superb selection of early Western and other rare American Directories; two
original copies of Attinelli’s 1876 Numisgraphics, one an interleaved example
from the library of J. N. T. Levick; a superb set of Milford Haven’s classic
work on Naval Medals; classic works on large cents, including deluxe editions
and famous collectors’ copies; rare publications on fractional currency and
Confederate currency, including perhaps the finest example known of Thian’s
Register of the Confederate Debt, one of only five issued; classic works and
unique manuscripts on American colonial coins; a remarkable four volume
compilation by Francis Worcester Doughty on Tradesmen’s Tokens, including
rubbings of his collection, historical documentation, and illustrations and
ephemeral publications relating to their issuers; numerous rare and important
early publications on counterfeit and altered American paper currency; several
Eckfeldt and Du Bois works featuring actual samples of California ‘49er gold;
many important works and manuscripts on American pioneer gold coins; Ed
Frossard’s own set of his first 150 auction sale catalogues, handsomely bound
in fifteen volumes; correspondence and manuscripts on California fractional
gold coins; a superb five volume set of van Loon’s classic 1732-1737 work on
Dutch medals, also covering early American medals; key works and manuscripts on
Hard Times tokens; the 1861 private letter copy book of C. G. Memminger,
Secretary of the Treasury of the Confederate States of America; unique
documents and correspondence concerning American pattern coin litigation and
controversies; important British sale catalogues featuring content on American
medals and coins; early reports and documents pertaining to the United States
Mint; important works on Canadian numismatics; runs of important American
Bankers’ journals and other early financial publications; and much more. The
large format catalogue describing the 1,000 lots in the sale is over 300 pages
long and features over one hundred illustrations in full color.
Beyond the remarkable roster of rarities mentioned above, and many others not
noted, the Ford Library stands out from virtually all others in two additional
respects: the overall condition of the library is superb, essentially
unimprovable; and it contains an amazing number of works from the libraries of
prominent American coin collectors and dealers of the past. Those interested in
learning more about this landmark sale or in accessing the catalogue online may
do so by visiting: www.numislit.com
KOLBE SALES 92 RESULTS (2003 December 7)
George Frederick Kolbe/Fine Numismatic Books reports that: “although postponed
due to the Southern California wildfires, our November 29th, 2003 auction was a
great success. It brought $180,000, and over 350 bidders participated in the
sale.” All prices cited include the 15% buyer premium.
The auction featured many seldom offered works on a wide variety of topics, and
competition was often intense. Some sale results follow. A near complete set of
The Numismatist, unbound, realized $2,990; the catalogue of a New York coin
auction originally scheduled for April 27-29, 1865 but postponed “upon the
assassination of President Lincoln,” brought $402 on a $175 estimate; an early
April 1 supplement to The Numismatist, probably dating from 1894, was avidly
sought after, finally selling for $862 though estimated at $100; a very nice
set containing all 116 of B. Max Mehl’s famous series of coin auction
catalogues was slow to get off the mark until the last several days of the sale
when one very strong and two more moderate bids were received, followed on the
closing day of the sale by bids of $3,450 and $4,025 (it ended up bringing
$4,312). Works on Napoleonic medals were particularly in demand. Though
unillustrated, Bramsen’s three volume standard work on the topic realized $431
on a $275 estimate; two volumes on the topic from the great 19th century
“Trésor de Numismatique” series were heavily bid upon, one selling for $1,265
on a $450 estimate, the other, from the family of Napoleon, brought $1,725 on a
$750 estimate; an excellent set of Davenport’s works on crowns and talers
realized $690; George Miles’ 1938 The Numismatic History of Rayy, headlined
“The Most Elusive American Numismatic Society Publication?”, brought $690; a
wonderful bound collection of 175 Sotheby British coin auction catalogues
dating from 1830 to 1900 realized $3,220; Q. David Bowers’ first numismatic
publication, an 8 page 1955 price list, sold for $718; an extensive research
archive on obsolete paper money formed by John Muscalus brought $1,035;
competition for an 1879 German auction catalogue featuring the first foreign
appearance of an 1804 silver dollar, estimated at $250, continued to escalate
over the course of the sale, culminating in a winning bid of $862; the many
important books and catalogues on ancient coins featured in the sale generally
brought strong prices; and, though a complete set failed to sell, individual
early editions of Yeoman’s “Red Book” from the holdings of Garce Futerer
continued to be in considerable demand.
A few copies of the sale catalogue are still available and may be obtained,
along with a prices realized list, by sending $15.00 to Kolbe. The firm's next
public auction sale, to be held in association with Stack’s, will comprise the
magnificent numismatic library of John J. Ford, Jr., scheduled for June 1,
2004. Details will be appearing in the numismatic press early next year, and
some information and highlights are currently available at the firm’s web site
(www.numislit.com). The firm may be contacted at P. O. Drawer 3100, Crestline,
CA 92325; by telephone at 909-338-6527; or by email at
GFK@numislit.com.
Press Release for Sale 92
George Frederick Kolbe/Fine Numismatic Books will conduct their 92nd auction
sale of rare and important numismatic literature on Thursday, November 13,
2003. The sale features 1635 lots covering a wide range of numismatic topics.
Featured is the interesting and notable library of a “Sage Old Roman,”
selections from The Money Tree archives, and material from over fifty other
consignors. The firm’s next sale will not be held until June 1, 2004 when, in
association with Stack’s, George Frederick Kolbe will conduct the first public
auction of the superb American numismatic library formed with dedication and
great care by John J. Ford, Jr. over many years.
A few November 13th sale highlights follow: a collection of 175 bound Sotheby
auction sale catalogues, 1830-1900, assembled by the renowned British coin
collector Henry Platt Hall; an 1879 catalogue of Berlin coin dealer Adolph Weyl
containing the previously unreported, earliest European appearance of an 1804
silver dollar at auction; many early Yeoman “Red Books,” including a complete
set; an unbound set of “The Numismatist,” 1894-2002; classic works on ancient
Greek and Roman coins; a complete set of B. Max Mehl auction sale catalogues,
also very fine deluxe leatherbound copies of the Dunham and Morse, Faelton
& Todd sales; an important selection of works on Napoleonic and other
medals; legal documents and correspondence pertaining to the Roy E. Naftzger,
Jr. versus American Numismatic Society litigation concerning the Clapp/Sheldon
large cent controversy; important Walter Breen correspondence; rare works on
Serbian numismatics; important antiquarian numismatic books dating from 1557;
an original copy of Miles’ “The Numismatic History of Rayy,” along with many
other important works on foreign coins and medals; the paper money archives of
Dr. John A. Muscalus; etc.
The sale may be viewed at www.numislit.com. Copies of the printed catalogue are
available for $15.00.
The firm has already started work on the public auction sale of the John J.
Ford, Jr. Library. To be held in association with Stack’s, this landmark sale
will take place on Tuesday, June 1, 2004 at the Mission Inn, Riverside,
California, a National Historical Landmark Hotel: www.missioninn.com. The
Mission Inn is about half way between Crestline (where lot viewing will be held
on the days preceding the sale), and Long Beach (where the Long Beach Coin
Convention will begin the day after the sale). The Mission Inn is about an hour
by car from Los Angeles International Airport, and about ten minutes from the
new Ontario International Airport. Riverside is a large city (approx. 300,000
residents) and offers a wide array of lodging and recreational activities.
Periodic reports about the many rare and interesting things that will be in the
sale will appear in the E-sylum, weekly electronic newsletter of the mismatic
Bibliomania Society. Those interested in subscribing, free of charge, are
invited to visit the society’s web site: www.coinbooks.org. Regular updates
will also be posted on the firm’s web site: www.numislit.com.
Auction: 91th sale of George Frederick Kolbe/Fine Numismatic Books,
closing on June 19, 2003.
Auction Sale 91 features over 900 lots on a wide variety of
numismatic topics. Included are original editions of the great majority of
British Museum Catalogues of Greek Coins; a selection of B. Max Mehl's personal
copies of his famous Rare Coin Encyclopedias; a number of rare early Q. David
Bowers publications; a number of important John S. Davenport titles on crowns
and talers, annotated and extra-illustrated by the author; important works on
British and American numismatics from the Frank Van Zandt library; rare titles
on Islamic coins; etc. Some specific highlights include: Newcomb's 1925 work on
1801-1803 large cents with the latest versions of both supplementary plates and
additions in the author's hand; a very fine example of Kraay and Hirmer's
"Greek Coins"; two very fine Heath Counterfeit Detectors; a very fine copy of
the 1746 catalogue of the Pembroke Collection; a plated 1909 Jackman sale;
Deluxe Leatherbound Superior Sales; a complete set of Davenport works on crowns
and talers; the ANS Dictionary Catalogue & Auction Catalogue; a pedigreed
copy of Hickcox's 1858 Historical Account of American Coinage; a 1748 Royal
Mint Indenture; an interesting copy of Evelyn's 1697 "Numismata"; the very rare
1928 fourth sale of the W. W. C. Wilson collection; an excellent selection of
early Yeoman "Red Books"; both plated versions of Newlin's rare classic work on
half dimes; Calciati's "Corpus Nummorum Siculorum" and "Pegasi"; The Sartiges
Collection of Greek and Roman coins, with the rare 5 supplementary plates; etc.
Printed catalogues may be obtained by sending $15.00.
Auction results: the 90th sale of George Frederick Kolbe/Fine Numismatic
Books, closing on February 20, 2003.
Over 300 bidders participated and 90% of the 1200 lots in Kolbe Sale 90
sold, bringing a total of nearly $135,000. Some highlights follow (all
include the 15% buyer premium).
A very fine set of Yeoman¹s Guide Book of United States, popularly known as
the Red Book, complete from 1947 to 2000, brought $2817; an even nicer set
of Yeoman Blue Books, from 1947 to 2000 complete, sold for $1322; a
hardbound edition of Dr. Maris¹ 1869 work, the first separate work devoted
to United States large cents, experienced active bidding and brought $1840
on a $1250 estimate; a 1950 edition of M. H. Bolender¹s work on early silver
dollars, annotated by Walter Breen while he worked for New Netherlands Coin
Co., was estimated to bring $500 and sold for $690; a metal box, once
holding American colonial coins from the Virgil Brand collection, sold for
$230; two original letters from Sylvester Crosby to Henry Chapman, both
dealing with colonial numismatics, brought $1,006 and $517 respectively; an
original, annotated set of Dalton & Hamer¹s classic The Provincial
Token-Coinage of the 18th Century sold for $1265; an original set of Corpus
Nummorum Italicorum (minus the extremely rare volume 20), though
conservatively estimated at $5,500, failed to sell; an unusually fine
example of the original 1925 edition of A. W. Browning¹s Early Quarter
Dollars of the United States, was estimated at $3,000 and ended up bringing
$4312; a nice example of the famous 1890 Parmelee sale catalogue, with 13
fine plates, sold for $1150; Burachkov¹s rare 1884 work on ancient Greek
coins of the Black Sea went for $1035; a nice example of Q. David Bowers¹
first numismatic publication, issued in 1955, was estimated to bring $300
but was hotly contested for and ended up selling for $632; a nice selection
of antiquarian numismatic works generally brought strong prices. A few
catalogues are still available and may be acquired by sending $15.00 to
Kolbe. The firm¹s next sale is scheduled for June 19, 2003.