MUENZEN GUT-LYNT ONLINE AUCTION 18

 

The Bernt Ahlström numismatic library, part 2

There will hardly be a dealer in the numismatic world who does not know the name Bernt Ahlström. When I picked up my first coins and books on coins and medals in Schleswig-Holstein in 1978, he was already a regular guest in the far north - bringing in consignments and, of course, stories.

And, at one of our last meetings in Zurich in 2019, Bernt Ahlström reviewed a few moments and highlights from his 60-year career - unfortunately, far too little of it has been recorded; he wrote nothing down. What remains is the memory of an outstanding numismatist, a dealer in several markets who could be found at all the important auctions, coin fairs and exhibitions. He was one of the first internationally active coin dealers: an exceptional personality; a numismatic "global player" as a dealer and auctioneer; a businessman with a feel for opportunities in the market and the courage to take these risks - and at his best "a giant in the world of coins", as one obituary put it.

In 1954 - at the age of just 18 - he opened the "B. Ahlström Mynthandel" in his native Stockholm on the initiative of his father. And at the legendary auction of the Farouk collection - organised by Sotheby's & Co in Cairo in February and March 1954 - he was one of the buyers of the Swedish part of this enormous coin collection. In the 1960s, he left Stockholm - his brother Bjarne continued to run the business there with great success - to establish the "Galerie des Monnaies" in Lausanne, Geneva and Düsseldorf in Switzerland and Germany.

The move "across the Atlantic" took place in the 1970s. Ahlström bought a former branch of Chase Manhattan Bank and opened an office in New York. He achieved world records at auctions and sales in collaboration with auction houses such as Hans Schulman Auctions, Sotheby's, Credit Suisse and Spink & Son. New York became a key milestone for him, and these years marked the peak of his numismatic success.

With his other brother John, he started Gallery des Vin in Paris, a vine shop and soon he bought a Bank there, "Crédit de la Bourse". But being the person, he was aiming a little bit too high, and the ideas in Paris fell apart. Later Ahlstrom moved to the US and partnered with Alcedo Almanzar, operating an auction house in the 1980s in El Dorado; Texas and closing his European business.

Another great passion for him was the Olympics. And being the universal genius that he was, he didn't just focus on medals and badges, but became a collector of all artefacts relating to the Olympics. When you visited him at home, you might suddenly find yourself standing in front of an original two-man bobsleigh sled, a torch, or the official uniform of the organisers, not to mention pennants, flags, or souvenirs. I guess only the museum in Lausanne has a larger selection.

Bernt Ahlström passed away in December 2019 after suffering from cancer. Up until his last week, he was still travelling and taking part in auctions.

(Arne Kirsch, March 2024)

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The Gut-Lynt Coin Auction House is delighted to be able to offer the second part of the numismatic library of this illustrious and interesting "global player" on 5 October 2024. After the monographs - part 1 of the famous library, which were very successfully auctioned in April, over 1000 lots of auction catalogues from the last 200 years as well as further monographs will now be offered. This impressive series once again impressively demonstrates that Bernt Ahlström lived and loved numismatics in all its facets. A biography of the book lover and dealer Bernt Ahlström can be found on the company's website (www.gut-lynt.de/uber-bernt-ahlstrom).

The Gut-Lynt 18 online catalogue will be available on the auction platform www.auktionen.gut-lynt.de. Please don't forget to register in good time if you would like to bid for the first time. We accompany every auction with exclusive highlights on Instagram "muenzen_gut_lynt". Our website www.gut-lynt.de also offers previews and reviews as well as up-to-date information on auction dates and consignment deadlines.

If you have any questions about the Coins Gut-Lynt Auction 18, we will be happy to help you. simply write to info@gut-lynt.de or give us a call: (+49) 02156 4874819 We look forward to hearing from you.

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web