Question re: old auction catalogs

Eagleguy

This past weekend I was out of town visiting family and stopped by a used book store that I always visit when I'm there. I found several old auction catalogs (mostly 5-15 year old Stack's catalogs) in the Collectible Section. Should I be picking these up whenever I find them? The coins I collect aren't usually expensive enough to carry a providence but I know there are others who like to check for them, etc. What say you all?

Thanks,
JH

tradedollarnut

Buy the big name sales and anything with a significant set of what you like to collect - the rest just take up space.

Sonorandesertrat

Depending on what you collect, old auction catalogs can contain information that you will not find in any book. Catalogs are useful for more than pedigree-tracing---good ones are a delight to read (e.g., lot descriptions written by experienced catalogers like John Kraljevich).

They can range from very important references to doorstops.

Broadstruck

<< <i>Depending on what you collect, old auction catalogs can contain information that you will not find in any book. Catalogs are useful for more than pedigree-tracing---good ones are a delight to read (e.g., lot descriptions written by experienced catalogers like John Kraljevich).

They can range from very important references to doorstops. >>





For some series older auction catalogs are the only major reference material available.

However I was shocked this morning that I was able to read a few copies of the ANA's Numismatist on Google books this morning from 1900, 1901, and 1914 which I needed for research.

So the internet seem to be becoming a semi more valid tool then just providing info from the last two decades.

coinman23885

<< <i>

<< <i>Depending on what you collect, old auction catalogs can contain information that you will not find in any book. Catalogs are useful for more than pedigree-tracing---good ones are a delight to read (e.g., lot descriptions written by experienced catalogers like John Kraljevich).

They can range from very important references to doorstops. >>





For some series older auction catalogs are the only major reference material available.

However I was shocked this morning that I was able to read a few copies of the ANA's Numismatist on Google books this morning from 1900, 1901, and 1914 which I needed for research.

So the internet seem to be becoming a semi more valid tool then just providing info from the last two decades. >>



I think they are now in the public domain (and the previous copyright laws, now replaced, apply). I'm not surprised at all.

bidask

I say sign up for Coinfacts.

firstmint

There is a small segment of numismatists that collect (and relish) old auction catalogues and reference materials, such as books and periodicals.

If you ever want to conduct accurate research, they are a must have.

A quality reference library can also save you from numerous (aka:costly) mistakes in this hobby, and help with providing the pedigrees.

Get what you want, and enjoy owning them. They do have value; not just because I say so, but people such as Eric P. Newman, Harry Bass, Armand Champa, John J. Ford, Jr., John J. Pittman, Abe Kosoff, etc.,etc. all had substantial libraries.

There are numerous modern day numismatic bibliophhiles ("bookies" - or book collectors) that have incredible libraries, due in part because of the previously mentioned individuals.

FYI - American auction catalogues that are less than 20 years old are not considered "old" in the literature business.

Sonorandesertrat

Karl,
Where do you draw the line regarding 'old' numismatic literature? Pre-1945?

WE

roadrunner

I probably get about 2 dozen auction catalogs a year. Used to get more. A few are worth keeping but the bulk of them get carted off to a coin show where I dole them out for free.

roadrunner

Coinosaurus

I have close to a thousand of these things.

But only a handful are referenced w/any regularity.

To be honest, the research value of a random catalog from the 1960s with halftone plates and boilerplate descriptions is about zero.

DaveG

Eagleguy,

If you're interested in older auction catalogs, pay a visit to Karl Moulton's (firstmint) website to see what he sells them for.

That should give you a good idea if you should be looking out for catalogs in used book stores.