In our may 9th issue Dave Hirt submitted a query about the
New England Numismatic and Archaeological Society, which was
was formed in Boston in April 1866.
-Editor
Dave wrote:
I have a set of List of Prices (Realized ) of New York coin sales issued by the New England Numismatic & Archaeological Society, with their logo on page one. I have numbers 1 thru 7. Is this a complete set, or are there more? Could any of the E-Sylum readers help me with this?
The PRL's that I have are
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#1 Cauffman sale 5/3/1871,
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#2 B. Betts sale 6/1/1871,
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#3 Nexsen sale 10/5/1871,
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#4 Clay sale 12/5/1871 (this one was priced at 75 cents, higher than their usual 25 cents)
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#5 Furman sale 12/12/1872
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#6 Haseltine 12/18/1872,
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#7 Bangs Leveridge sale 1/28/1873.
I believe the reason for these was that dealers at that time did not usually issue PRL's. You had to pay them to price a catalog for you. I think this was an attempt to supply sale results at a more reasonable price.
David Stone of Heritage Numismatic Auctions writes:
Regarding Dave Hirt's query on the PRL's published by the New England Numismatic and Archaeological Society, there were at least eight numbers in the series. Number 8 was a PRL for the Chubbuck Sale (Haseltine, 2/1873). As to the purpose of this periodical, NEN&AS hoped it would serve as a price guide for collectors, sort of an early Redbook or Coin Dealer Newsletter. At the end of issue #1 the following explanation was provided:
"Every one who is interested in the study of Numismatology must have felt the need of something to serve as a guide in making purchases of Coins, Medals, etc., either at private sale or at auction.'
"This want the New England Numismatic and Archaeological Society propose to supply by publishing Price Lists of all the important Coin Sales immediately after their occurrence.'
"The prices of these Lists will be twenty-five cents for a list of four pages, and fifty cents for one of eight pages.'
"That the Society may know how large an edition to publish it is important that all who desire these Lists will send their addresses, (accompanied by any suggestions they may be pleased to make,) to Charles Chaplin, Librarian N. E. N. & A. Society, 14 Spring Street, Boston, Mass."
The PRL for the Chubbuck Sale is 13 pages long and is priced at $.75, like the Clay Sale. Apparently interest was not great enough to sustain this project after the first eight issues, although there may be more that I am not familiar with.
Thanks, David. OK, so now we know there were at least eight numbers issued. If anyone is aware of a later one, please let us know.
-Editor
To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
QUERY: NEW ENGLAND NUMISMATIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY PRLS
(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v13n19a20.html)
Wayne Homren, Editor
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