I recently purchased an unplated Chapman Stickney sale with the name M. B. Blankenbuehler inscribed in period script at the top of the first page of the auction lots. What I found interesting is that it appears the M. is for Mary. She came from Washington County Pa. which is where I purchased the catalog from.

I would like to know if I got the M as Mary correct. Next, I am sure someone has discussed women at auction sales, but I was wondering if she attended the sale and how common that would have been in 1907? The PRL has three lots with an * next to them. The most significant one is lot 37. Maybe she purchased it? Boy I wish I had a priced & named sale.

37 1670 Louis d'Or. Exquisite bust of Louis XIV, unlaureated and undraped to right, the hair in great profusion falls down over both shoulders, LVD. XIIII D. G FR. ET. NAV. REX 1670. Above head sun in splendor; badge of Louis XIV; below bust the date. R. Cross composed of addorsed L's crowned and the angles filled with a fleur-de-lis, in center in circle a the mint mark of Paris, CHRS. REGN. VINC. IMP small castle, probably Mint Master's mark, after this last word. Gold. Extremely fine. The only example I have ever seen and here offered for the first time, I believe, in America. I have not been able to find it described in any book relating to America, but firmly believe it to have been, as the workmanship is similar to the last described coin, the date the same, also adjunct of the sun in splendor over head as on last coin. See plate.

41 1721 Sou. Crossed L's crowned, SIT NOMEN DOMINI BENEDICTUM. R. Across field COLONIES FRANCOISES. 1721 H MM of La Rochelle. Fine. Evenly struck. Breton 506. Leroux 253.