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SELECTED LOTS FROM THE JUNE 11, 2009 KOLBE NUMISMATIC LITERATURE SALE A few lots caught my eye in the upcoming Kolbe Numismatic Literature sale as well. George also provided the text of the lot descriptions - here are some excerpts and comments. The first lot in the sale is the first work on U.S. Civil War Tokens, an extremely rare and important item. -Editor Lot 1 Chase, Pliny E. CATALOGUE OF TOKENS, CIRCULATING DURING THE REBELLION OF 1861. (Philadelphia, 1863). 19, (1) pages. 22 x 14.5 cm. Self-covered and sewn as issued Davis 234: “No sale recorded.” A rare 1863 offprint from the Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, appearing as an article the same year in Volume IX, pages 242-258. It appears to be the second example to come to market since the August 15, 1971 Fuld Library sale (lot 679@ $12!, estimated at $50 and described as “An exceedingly rare book”) and the June 1, 2004 Ford Library sale(lot 356 @ $1,300, estimated at $1,000). The author notes that “Collectors and others who may wish to assist in completing the collection of Token currency in the Cabinet of the American Philosophical society, may send specimens, duplicates, or descriptions of such varieties as are not mentioned in this catalogue…” Arranged in seven different categories, namely 1) Business Cards; 2) Portraits; 3) Equestrian Statues, Fancy Heads, and Human Figures; 4) Animals; 5) Flags; 6) Miscellaneous Devices; and 7) Mottoes, Chase carefully describes 303 pieces. A remarkable contemporaneous effort to record these still underappreciated metallic memorials of the Civil War. Pliny Earle Chase (1820-1886), was a teacher and scientist of some renown. Many of the results of his various scientific researches were published in the Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society and in European scientific journals. I'm very fortunate to have a copy of this rarity in my library. Note that it is MY copy that is pictured, not the one in the Kolbe sale. I searched for mine for over fifteen years before the opportunity arose to purchase it, and I've not seen another in the ten years since. Mine has one of those annoying Katen Numismatic library stickers on the inside front cover. Ya gotta love Frank, but I wish someone had taken him aside and slapped him before he started putting those in books he sold. I don't have a pedigree on my copy, so I don't know if it's the Fuld library copy or a third example. Does anyone else have one of these? -Editor Lot 282 [Numismatic Autographs]. NUMISMATIC CORRESPONDENCE FROM M. H. BOLENDER, JOSEPH COFFIN, CHARLES FRENCH, EDWARD GANS, RICHARD PICKER, AMBROSE J. BROWN, BERNARD GIMELSON, JAMES KELLY, KENNETH W. LEE, RICHARD W./D. WAYNE JOHNSON, B. MAX MEHL, LU RIGGS, HANS M. F. SCHULMAN, PAUL S. SETZ, NORMAN STACK, L. S. WERNER, WARREN A. LAPP, O. B. WINDAU, WALTER F. WEBB, ENOCH ANDERSON, A. J. FINK, AND OTHERS. A group of over thirty signed typewritten or handwritten letters. Also present are a few missives from philatelic dealers, several more recent letters from numismatic literature dealers, along with invoices inventories, etc. Nearly 100 pieces in all. A most interesting collection of correspondence and other materials from famous and not-so-famous, though significant, American numismatic personalities mainly active in the mid-twentieth century. 4) several most interesting 1954-1956 letters from Richard W./D. Wayne Johnson to Dr. Charles Ferris, largely typewritten on stationery headed “Books and Bibliographic Service on Numismatics,” also with drafts of fascinating letters from Ferris to Johnson, pertaining to their shared intense interest in numismatic bibliography, featuring the results of Johnson’s early researches in the field, with commentary such as: “I had considered compiling a bibliography of all the numismatic books published in America…even though I have been lectured by Col. P. O. Sigler against it. Col. Sigler published his book himself and lost several thousand dollars on the venture. ”the number of people interested in numismatic bibliography is quite small. (We’re rather rare birds -- species numismaticus bibliognost.)” I strongly recommend Attinelli’s book to you…I know of only seven copies in existence” [a listing follows]/etc.; Lot 627 [Birmingham Mint]. THE MINT, BRMINGHAM, LIMITED… THE MINT, BIRMINGHAM, LIMITED, (FORMERLY RALPH HEATON & SONS) BIRMINGHAM (ENGLAND), COINERS TO THE BRITISH, FRENCH, ITALIAN, RUSSIAN, ROUMANIAN, CHILIAN, SERVIAN AND NUMEROUS OTHER GOVERNMENTS, CONTRACT FOR THE COINAGE OF ALL KINDS OF MONEY IN GOLD, SILVER, NICKEL, COPPER, BRONZE, OR OTHER ALLOYS. THE SUPPLY OF METALS FOR COINS IN THE ROLLED STRIP, OR IN BLANKS FINISHED READY FOR THE COINING PRESS. MINT MACHINERY OF THE MOST APPROVED CONSTRUCTION, AND THE ENGRAVING AND MANUFACTURE OF DIES. ESTIMATES FURNISHED FOR ENTIRELY NEW COINAGE, OR FOR THE REFONTE AND CONVERSION OF OLD COINS INTO NEW MONEY. Birmingham: The "Journal" Printing Offices, 31, Cannon Street, 1904. 78 pages (numbered 1-10, added leaf 10a, 11-73, followed by 3 unnumbered), errata slip tipped in, 13 very fine autotype plates of coins and medals. Original red cloth, upper cover lettered and decorated in gilt, including a depiction of the manufactory, all page edges gilt. Ex libris Frank and Laurese Katen; ex October 6, 2001 Bergman Library Kolbe sale, lot 246. Rarely offered. An interesting collection of testimonial and other letters from coining authorities throughout the world, finely illustrated. Includes information on the products of the Birmingham Mint, including several letters and extracts from reports of C. W. Freemantle, Deputy Master of the royal Mint, London. Most interesting and useful, particularly for its superb illustrations of coins and medals from all over the world issued by the Birmingham Mint. Wayne Homren, Editor The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org. To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum All Rights Reserved. NBS Home Page Contact the NBS webmaster 
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