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V21 2018 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 21, Number 44, November 4, 2018, Article 2

The magnificent numismatic library of Eric P. Newman is being auctioned this week by Heritage. Here are some lots that caught my eye. For more, see another article on the sale later in this issue -Editor

Brewster, Abel. A Plan for Producing an Uniformity in the Ornamental Part of Bank or Other Bills Where There Is Danger of Forgery, and for Furnishing the Public with a Convenient and Infallible Test for the Same... Philadelphia: Printed by Thomas Town, No. 3, Norris's Alley, 1810. 8vo, self-covered and stitched, as issued. 16, (2) pages; 1 finely engraved plate depicting ornamental bank note designs framing descriptive text relating to them. An extremely rare publication, virtually unknown to most of the collecting world. Eric P. Newman had acquired this copy by January 30, 1964, at which time he wrote about it to Dr. Julian Blanchard. It was reproduced in the Winter 1966 issue of the Essay-Proof Journal.

Brewster's pamphlet was published in direct competition with Jacob Perkins. Brewster states that Perkins had been trying to thwart his efforts in the area of bank note security by claiming infringement of patents, which Brewster considered baseless. Perkins had published his famous Bank Bill Test (also present in this sale) just the year before. Brewster's plate is very well printed, and he clearly understood the problems faced by bank note printers and had sound ideas about addressing them. It is also clear, however, that the battle was won by Perkins. Shaw & Shoemaker 19634. Worn and with some fraying at the edges; plate with some browning and light wrinkles, but better preserved than the text due to its smaller size. Good, with a very good plate. This may be the first time this work has been offered in the sale of a numismatic library. Estimate $2,000.

Lot 15196 : Original Subscription Set of Crosby

Crosby, Sylvester S. The Early Coins of America; and the Laws Governing Their Issue. Comprising Also Descriptions of the Washington Pieces, the Anglo-American Tokens, Many Pieces of Unknown Origin, of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, and the First Patterns of the United States Mint. Boston: Published by the New England Numismatic and Archaeological Society, 1873 / Published by the Author, 1875. 4to [30.5 by 24.5 cm], as originally issued in 11 fascicules numbered 1-12 with printed paper covers. 1873 and 1875 title pages and introductions present. (2), v, (5), 11-381, (1) pages [different pages (2), v, (1), comprising the revised title and introduction, laid into Fascicule 11-12]; 110 wood engravings in the text; 2 folding heliotype manuscript facsimiles; 10 fine heliotype plates of coins and tokens. Housed in a black cloth slipcase.

An original subscription set of Crosby's masterpiece, the foundation upon which all subsequent works on early American coinage have been built. Entirely in its original state. The Early Coins of America was not intended to be the work of Crosby alone. Appointed the head of a committee of six by the New England Numismatic and Archaeological Society and charged with publishing a work on early American coinage, Crosby soon found himself alone in the pursuit. Not only was the research and composition of the work done almost entirely by Crosby, ultimately he also had to publish it. The 12 parts (as issued in 11) were published separately and distributed to subscribers in printed wraps: it was left to the subscriber to eventually bind his or her copy upon completion. Very few sets remain extant as here in their original state.

State with overprinted coin numbers on Plates IV and V (see Eric P. Newman's "Bibliographical Foreword" to the 1983 Quarterman reprint for information on plate states). Coin 15a on Plate VII hand-numbered in pencil, apparently as always. Without the handwritten correction, occasionally seen, to Miss Eliza Susan Quincy's name in the subscribers' list on page 381. Clain-Stefanelli 12115*. Davis 291. Grierson 218. Sigler 603. Parts 11 & 12, as issued in one fascicule, with detached (but present) front cover. Generally an exceptionally fine, well-preserved set. Estimate $12,000

Wow. These unbound subscription sets are scarce as hen's teeth and a centerpiece of any library of American numimatic literature. A great prize for the winning bidder. -Editor

Lot 15203 : George Clapp's Annotated Doughty

Doughty, Francis Worcester. The Cents of the United States: A Numismatic Study. Extensively Illustrated from Selected Specimens. New York: Scott, 1890. 8vo, original olive-brown cloth, elaborately decorated and lettered in gilt, depicting a 1793 Flowing Hair large cent. (6), 115, (1) pages; text figures; 2 tables (1 folding); 4 lithographic plates of coins. Very good. Heavily annotated throughout in pencil by George H. Clapp with numerous inserts laid in, including: two handwritten letters from Charles Clapp on Classic Head large cents; two typewritten studies of 1808 cents by S.H. Chapman; one handwritten letter by George Henry Davis also on Classic Head cents; a typewritten letter by James Macallister; two handwritten letters from Howard R. Newcomb, both on large cents, one of them continuing onto a second sheet; a number of inserted notes written by George H. Clapp; 4 pages of handwritten commentary by George Clapp on 1808 cent varieties; several rubbings and impressions of large cents; a printed advertisement for the Doughty book; and a Lyman Low circular signed by Frank Higgins. Previously in the library of Frank C. Higgins, with his bookplate; signed on the front blank by Higgins and dated 1899; signed by George H. Clapp on the same blank, dated 1921, below which Clapp has written: "The notes on margins in this book are the beginnings of my revision of these early dates."

An extraordinary volume. The Doughty work is not terribly well appreciated in our day, as it is generally regarded as little more than a compilation of existing research (most of it conducted by David Proskey)--which is true, but this particular copy of Doughty is the most exciting large cent book we have encountered in years. The commentary in the annotations is thorough and rigorous, as is all of Clapp's writing. He was not one to suffer fools gladly, and his comments on Doughty's work are not infrequently harsh, but this book has far more to offer than entertainment value. It would be important even if it hadn't a single inserted item--but it does, and the letters and other inserted notes are also substantive and important. The letters from Newcomb in particular show the level of cooperation between these two researchers and their mutually held trust and respect. The letters from Charles Clapp show quite clearly that his knowledge and observations have been underappreciated over the years, overshadowed as he was by his brother. This is a wonderful item and is one of the highlights of the Eric P. Newman library. Estimate $5,000.

A unique and important item - you can't get much closer to numismatic history than this. -Editor

Lot 15232 : Hall's List of the Connecticut Coppers

Hall, Thomas. A Descriptive List of the Coppers Issued by Authority, for the State of Connecticut, for the Year 1787. Boston: Privately printed, for additions and corrections, 1892. 8vo, original black half calf, gilt, with brown cloth sides; upper cover lettered in gilt. 58 pages. First 16 pages with corresponding reverse page numbers filled in by hand in ink.

Hall's rare work was intended to be distributed among a select circle of fellow collectors. With the benefit of their comments and additions to the list, a final version of the work was to be published--but it never reached fruition. The original leather binding used poor materials and most copies are either rebound or (as here) in well-worn condition. Spine worn and chipped. Contents very good or better. Estimate $2,000.

A classic rarity. -Editor

[Jewell, H.C.]. Specimens and Cost of Engraved Work. Spine title cited. Scrapbook of finely engraved portraits, vignettes, and bank note design elements, assembled for the use of Bureau of Engraving and Printing Chief Henry C. Jewell, possibly by BEP Chief Engraver George W. Casilear, c. 1876-1877. Oblong 4to, original brown half morocco, gilt; spine with four raised bands, ruled and lettered in gilt, with H.C. JEWELL impressed in gilt at the base of the spine. Approximately 60 leaves, interleaved with ruled paper. Of these, 25 leaves have various finely engraved portraits, vignettes, bank note elements, and related designs affixed to them. There is a total of 11 portraits, 8 vignettes, and 143 design elements. No text accompanies the engravings.

An intriguing scrapbook with some exceptionally well-rendered engraved design elements, many of them made for bank notes and bonds. Beyond the spine lettering, there is no text to assist us in determining the context in which this book was assembled. A very interesting letter from Raphael Ellenbogen to Eric P. Newman, dated October 28, 1996, attempts to shed some light on the matter, and speculates that the book was compiled by George W. Casilear between 1865 and 1870, but this is not entirely accurate. At least two of the engravings make reference to committees planning for the U.S. Centennial in 1876, and one is dated 1872, giving us the earliest date at which it was likely to have been made. Given that Jewett served as Chief of the BEP only in 1876 and 1877, it seems safe to assign the production of this volume to those years. It was clearly not intended for special presentation, as the binding is fairly ordinary and the spine lettering points to a purely practical function. While the binding is rubbed and worn at the extremities, the engravings are clean and crisp. A lovely book.

A trophy for the collector with an interest in art and engraving. -Editor

Lot 15404 : The Case, Trevett against Weeden

Varnum, James M. The Case, Trevett against Weeden: On Information and Complaint, for Refusing Paper Bills in Payment for Butcher's Meat, in Market, at Par with Specie. Tried before the Honourable Superior Court, in the County of Newport, September Term, 1786... Providence: Printed by John Carter, 1787. 8vo, somewhat later red quarter straight-grained morocco with marbled sides; spine lettered and decorated in gilt. (4), 60 pages. Very rare. Evans 20825. Sabin 98638. Binding quite worn, with spine covering mostly lacking and front cover detached, but present. Pages a little browned, but generally very good or better. Estimate $600.
Ex: Charles I. Bushnell, with his bookplate.