Identifying collectors and dealers in a provenance chain

Zoins

It seems like the way to do this is to add "Collection" after a collector's name and leave the dealer's name as is.

So something like:

Virgil Brand Collection, Abe Kosoff

The only issue with this is when it's all collectors, then Collection isn't used, so you have something like:

Virgil Brand, Louis Eliasberg, Brent Pogue

Would it be odd to say:

Virgil Brand Collection, Louis Eliasberg Collection, Brent Pogue Collection

Since there's a priority for collectors over dealers for provenance specifically, should it instead be something like:

Virgil Brand, Abe Kosoff Inventory

I've also been thinking about a small (d) for dealer:

Virgil Brand, Abe Kosoff (d)

What are your thoughts?

trueblood

I would agree with you, for accuracy's sake

Walkerfan

Just use the names. Not necessary to add words, letters or suffixes. Also, I would list the names in chronological order of ownership, whether they are a collector OR a dealer. JMHO.

Broadstruck

I'm okay with adding prominent historical dealers to the provenance chain.

Zoins

I’m okay with all collectors and dealers, even non-prominent ones.

And it’s probably more a distinction of collection vs. inventory than collector vs. dealer since many dealers collect as well.

I don’t like to lose the distinction because I feel it’s losing information.

TheMayor

That last option seems the most informative and least clunky.

Virgil Brand, Abe Kosoff (d)

MidLifeCrisis

I agree with @Walkerfan

Keep it simple.

MidLifeCrisis

Are you talking about what should be listed on the slab? Or in a book or auction catalog? Obviously it makes a difference. Sometimes you have to choose what to put on the slab and what to leave off.

I have a coin with this provenance:
Ex Stack’s January 2001 sale of the William O’Donnell Collection, lot #138; earlier Bowers March 1987 sale of the Frederick B. Taylor Collection, lot #2223; earlier Stack’s October 1970 sale of the Massachusetts Historical Society Collection, lot #99; earlier from the collection of William Sumner Appleton before 1881; Maris Obverse 42 Plate Coin.

I just had "Maris Plate Coin" put on the slab. Nothing else. I thought about having William Sumner Appleton put on the slab but the fact that the coin is plated in the primary reference for the series is more significant. I'm not sure how many people would recognize Appleton.

trueblood

Unfortunately the slab label is limited size, so as nice it is to put all the history of the coin on the label only the most important info that fits can be put on. And that is a judgement call, and in MLC's case I think he did the right thing.

Namvet69

I agree with MLC. Drill down to the kernel. Peace Roy