"Now that the Harry Bass library is being sold, it is interesting to recall some of the books that were in my library sold in 1971 by Frank Katen. Although Harry was the major buyer in that sale, he certainly did not get all that he wanted. A couple of books that were in the sale have fond memories. The W.W.C. Wilson sale with 42 plates was acquired in 1958 from Maury Gould for about $45 and was a copy presented to the minister of the Wilson family.

The monster set of Elder catalogs was assembled one or five at a time, and was bound in 22 volumes, with the last ones having the fill-ins for the earlier missing ones. The rare Hart book with the canvas fold out plate was acquired sometime during the sixties, but I do not recall where from. The one outstanding book, which I believe Harry bought, still unsold in the first two sales, is the Jacob Perkins Bank Note Test. The only other one that I know of, in a private collection, besides my copy, is owned by Eric Newman. I knew of its extreme rarity from the beginning, and in 1962 I personally made several dozen reprints with a brown mottled cardboard cover - the offset negatives were retouched, and all the brown aging disappeared - the reprints were much sharper than the original. Frankly I don't have a reprint for myself. For the life of me, I cannot recall whom I purchased this original copy from.

The one surprising item in the sale, was the almost complete set of “Coin World” that I had. Frank didn't want to sell as he thought them worthless - when they sold for over $400 he was quite surprised.

Just as a note, I am now accumulating my third library - but this time reprints will do - no multiple editions and originals are being sought."