GEORGE FREDERICK KOLBE
FINE NUMISMATIC
BOOKS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2007
Auction Sale 102 Results: Celebrating forty years as
numismatic literature dealers, on March 15, 2007, George Frederick
Kolbe/Fine Numismatic Books conducted their 102nd sale of rare
and out of print numismatic literature. Featured were 707 lots
on a wide variety of topics, with a total estimate slightly under
$79,000. Reflective of the strong current market, over 85% of
the lots sold for a total exceeding $90,000, including the 15%
buyer premium.
Among the more interesting items: an early nineteenth century
manuscript on the Coinage of England was estimated at $500 and
sold for $748; a mint example of the 1935 first Stack's sale brought
$207; 1910, 1922, & 1933 American Numismatic Association auction
sale catalogues respectively realized $305, $259, & $201;
a very fine example of Charles Pye's 1795 work on Conder tokens
experienced heavy bidding and went for $604; the 1559 first edition
of Erizzo's Medaglie Antiche, with over 500 woodcut illustrations
of ancient coins, was estimated at $1,000 and sold for $1,265;
seven rare United States Coin Company catalogues all sold over
estimate, a particularly interesting one realizing $1,380; a good
selection of Heath counterfeit detectors were hotly contested
for, generally realizing well over their estimates; Nunn's Numismatic
Magazine, likely the inspiration for The Numismatist and the founding
of the American Numismatic Association, had an estimate of $350
and brought $690; the 1864 first American auction catalogue accompanied
by a printed list of buyers' names sold for $805; a complete set
of Davenport works on crowns, along with allied publications,
sold for $1,035; and the list could go on. A small number of catalogues
are still available, including a prices realized list, for $15.00.
Announcing Auction Sale 103: On June 7, 2007 George Frederick
Kolbe/Fine Numismatic Books will conduct their 103rd auction,
featuring the second part of the Alan M. Meghrig Library. The
300 lots include works on ancient and foreign numismatics but
mainly are devoted to books and periodicals covering American
coins, mint errors, medals, tokens, and paper currency. Many obscure
and unusual modern works are featured; often they are the first
we have ever encountered. Beneath a calm and measured demeanor,
Alan Meghrig has systematically and aggressively formed a comprehensive
American numismatic library over the past thirty plus years. In
terms of unusual titles and the various editions and printings
of mainstream works, Alan's library stands alone. This will become
more apparent as subsequent portions of the library are sold;
many pleasant surprises await American numismatic bibliophiles
and researchers. Following the Meghrig holdings, the sale will
also feature a good selection of 19th and 20th century American
auction sale catalogues, offered individually. Catalogues may
be ordered by sending $15.00 to Kolbe at P. O. Drawer 3100, Crestline,
CA 92325 or the catalogue will be accessible in May free of charge
at the firm's web site (www.numislit.com).