ON BOUND SETS OF STACK'S JOHN J. FORD COLLECTION, 2003-2007

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V12 2009 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 12, Number 30, July 26, 2009, Article 9

ON BOUND SETS OF STACK'S JOHN J. FORD COLLECTION, 2003-2007

This week Robert Rightmire posted the following questions regarding sets of Stack's Ford sales on the Collectors Universe forum:

Did Stack's ever offer the 21 parts for the John J. Ford Collection, 2003-07, as a complete set? If yes, what was the price? If not, what was the cost of the individual catalogues?

Robert compiled a summary of responses for publication here in The E-Sylum -Editor

Soft-bound sets are going for $500-750; supply apparently is rather limited.
Hard-bound sets are very scarce; owners are not parting with them and few thought to buy extra sets. Initially they were purchased at $90-100; now the price would be/is much higher. Are there any sellers?
It seems that a few parts are more scarce than others. Not much agreement on which parts are scarce. A survey might answer this question. Would Stack's reveal their publication numbers?
There were red leather sets and 4-5 sets bound in grey leather. I haven't been able to confirm this assertion.
The auction record to date for a hard-bound: Part I, Kolbe, June 2009, lot 596: $425.00!
Apparently Stack's is reporting that the total proceeds for the Ford auctions was over $60 million. Since Ford items were sold elsewhere too, the total for his collection has to be even greater.

There is a tale to be told here; it may take some time for the rumors to settle and the facts to solidify. The set's high ranking (no. 6) on the NBS One Hundred Greatest Items list ensures that interest will only increase.

I was one of the subscribers to the hardbound catalogs. I paid $95 apiece postpaid. Actually, I signed up for TWO sets and dutifully bought two for the first several sales until a change of jobs and house move put a crimp in those plans. I sold my duplicate hardbounds and many of the softbounds at a profit and used the cash to help pay the cost of our move. I don't regret my decision, but just as I thought from the beginning, it sure would be nice to have a complete second set for sale today. What might it bring - $3,000? More? -Editor

Wayne Homren, Editor

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.

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