THE SUPERIOR GALLERIES JERRY BUSS COLLECTION CATALOG

PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE FULL ISSUE PREV FULL ISSUE

V16 2013 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 16, Number 9, March 3, 2013, Article 7

Brad Karoleff submitted these thoughts on the auction catalog for the Jerry Buss collection. At left below is the softbound version of catalog, image courtesy of Bryce Brown's Numismatic Literature by way of Tom Wetter. Thanks. The remaining images are of Brad's hardbound catalog. -Editor

I never had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Buss in person, but did have an enjoyable experience with him in 1989.

Some years before this I had decided to collect autographed numismatic books, auction catalogs and other printed treasures. I had recently obtained a hard bound edition of the Buss Collection sale by Superior Galleries from 1985 featuring the embossed 1913 Liberty Nickel on the cover. I wrote to Dr. Buss informing him of my collecting interests and asked if he would do me the favor of autographing my catalog. I did not fully expect a response from a multi-millionaire for such a mundane request.

On November 6th 1989 Dr. Buss wrote a short note to me informing me he would "be happy to autograph your book." I sent the auction catalog to him with money for the return trip. I soon received my autographed catalog back in the mail complete with my return postage.

This is one of my favorite hard bound auction catalogs in my collection. The embossed 1913 nickel on the cover is very striking. Many, however, come hairlined from improper storage. One needs to be very careful in storing the catalog to prevent rubbing the relief of the image against other books when removing it from the shelf. I keep mine in plastic to prevent this damage. Inside, the first plate is dedicated to the "big three" coins in the sale; 1913 Liberty Nickel, 1894-S Barber Dime, and the 1804 Bust Dollar. Five more color plates of stunningly beautiful coins follow.

Include in a slot in the back of the catalog is a pre-sale advertising circular for the sale including an order form for the deluxe hard bound catalog at $25! The circular features a biography of Dr. Buss and large color photos of the "big three" coins with history and pedigree information.

There is also a copy of the prices realized list in the slot. Gross sales of the sale of $3,640,110.65 are proudly featured on the cover. Inside the cover is a review of four of the most expensive coins from the sale. Lot 366 was the 1913 Nickel at $385K, lot 617 was the 1894-S dime selling for $50,600, lot 1337 represented the 1804 dollar at $308K and lot 1766 was an 1879 Coiled Hair Stella which sold for $104,500. Not mentioned here was lot 2101, a double Pan-Pac set in original copper frame which sold for $176K! All prices here include the 10% buyers fee charged at that time.

It was fun having an excuse to pull this old friend off the shelf for a few minutes of reminiscing. I am happy to know that Dr. Buss enjoyed sharing a brief moment of his numismatic time with me.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: GERALD "JERRY" BUSS 1934 -2013 (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n08a06.html)

Wayne Homren, Editor