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My favorite numismatic purchase this year is not a coin....
Raufus
Posts: 7,343 ✭✭✭✭✭
I first heard the story about Frank H. Stewart and the First U.S. Mint years ago while attending a talk by Q. David Bowers in Baltimore. During that same talk Mr. Bowers mentioned that Mr. Stewart had published a book about the first Mint in 1924. Ever since then I've wanted an original, 1924 copy of Stewart's "Frist United States Mint, Its People and Its Operations".
Finally, after several years of searching, I was able to obtain a very nice copy at a very reasonable price from a dealer specializing in numismatic literature.
I could not be more thrilled with this purchase.
The book is in incredible shape for a 91 year old text.
While I've seen some of the photos of the first Mint which appear in the book reproduced, the photos in the book are sharper.
I'm sure that many of you already have an original copy of this text. If you don't you may want to consider acquiring one.
It never ceases to amaze me that the first public building authorized by Congress and our first Mint lasted over 100 years yet it was not preserved. Looking at the photos I can only imagine how fantastic that it would be to have had these buildings restored and available for tour along with original artifacts. Such as tragic loss. It just astounds me to know that now all that remains is a plaque.
Having an original copy of Stewart's book is, I think, a very cool direct connection to the last owner of the first Mint buildings and thus to the very foundation of U.S. coinage. I'm most grateful to have finally found a copy.
Finally, after several years of searching, I was able to obtain a very nice copy at a very reasonable price from a dealer specializing in numismatic literature.
I could not be more thrilled with this purchase.
The book is in incredible shape for a 91 year old text.
While I've seen some of the photos of the first Mint which appear in the book reproduced, the photos in the book are sharper.
I'm sure that many of you already have an original copy of this text. If you don't you may want to consider acquiring one.
It never ceases to amaze me that the first public building authorized by Congress and our first Mint lasted over 100 years yet it was not preserved. Looking at the photos I can only imagine how fantastic that it would be to have had these buildings restored and available for tour along with original artifacts. Such as tragic loss. It just astounds me to know that now all that remains is a plaque.
Having an original copy of Stewart's book is, I think, a very cool direct connection to the last owner of the first Mint buildings and thus to the very foundation of U.S. coinage. I'm most grateful to have finally found a copy.
Land of the Free because of the Brave!
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Here it is....
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
are treasures to be had from time to time. Thanks for posting that...Cheers, RickO
I have never seen an original copy of this book. I have the Quarterman reprint.
Nice purchase!
I have never seen an original copy of this book. I have the Quarterman reprint.
I searched for several years before finding one. It was well worth the wait.
I meant to include the copyright page in my OP.
If you enjoyed the Frank Stewart book on the history of the first United States Mint, then you will certainly enjoy reading "The Secret History of the First United States Mint - How Frank H. Stewart Destroyed and Then Saved a National Treasure" by our own Coinosaurus (Len Augsberger) and Joel Orosz. The question of how and why it was not preserved is answered in the book. I was going to post a link to an Amazon site where this book can be purchased but noticed that the link options appear to be missing. No matter - you can easily find it with a little searching. This is one of the most thoroughly researched and well written books on early US mint history, and is a must on any numismatist's library shelves.
Thanks to all for your posts. Sharing is much of the fun.
Thanks also for the great tip re: The Secret History. I can't wait to read it.
If you enjoyed the Frank Stewart book on the history of the first United States Mint, then you will certainly enjoy reading "The Secret History of the First United States Mint - How Frank H. Stewart Destroyed and Then Saved a National Treasure" by our own Coinosaurus (Len Augsberger) and Joel Orosz. The question of how and why it was not preserved is answered in the book. I was going to post a link to an Amazon site where this book can be purchased but noticed that the link options appear to be missing. No matter - you can easily find it with a little searching. This is one of the most thoroughly researched and well written books on early US mint history, and is a must on any numismatist's library shelves.
Thanks to all for your posts. Sharing is much of the fun.
Thanks also for the great tip re: The Secret History. I can't wait to read it.
Great info MHD! I was just looking at that book on Amazon but didn't realize that Coinosaurus wrote it! What a great community here.
Seriously, that is a nice copy of it. Most are not that nice. The reason so few of these copies exist is that in Clain-Stefanelli, she wrote that most of the first printing was lost to a warehouse fire. How many were lost, no one knows.
I hope you didn't pay more than the original price of $5 for an old used book.
Seriously, that is a nice copy of it. Most are not that nice. The reason so few of these copies exist is that in Clain-Stefanelli, she wrote that most of the first printing was lost to a warehouse fire. How many were lost, no one knows.
That is so cool!! Where did you ever find that? Fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
As to the $5, perhaps a bit more but inflation adjusted, maybe not too bad :-)
Your original 1924 copy of the Frank H. Stewart monograph is indeed rare, and as Bill Jones states, most people never see one, settling for the Quarterman reprint. Estimates of the number of original copies vary, and range from 100 - 300 copies, but some may have been destroyed while in storage before they were sold. There apparently were a very few (25 copies?) that had a portrait of Stewart bound between the second and third signatures, so you may want to check your copy for this plate. I have an original 1924 edition (without the Stewart portrait), plus the Quarterman reprint. More interesting details about Stewart and the first US Mint can be learned in the "Secret History" book I mentioned earlier.
UGH!! Looks like mine was one of the 25 but the Stewart portrait looks to have fallen out years ago. Bummer!! I just figured that someone's personal library label had been affixed. My copy is in otherwise fantastic shape. Just incredible given it's age.
Thanks so much for the info!! I didn't realize that there were so few published. Now I understand why it took me so long to find one.
Do not despair. It is slightly difficult to tell from your photo, but it appears that what is missing from your first edition Frank Stewart book was just a book plate, probably from a library, and was affixed to the inside cover. The portrait of Frank Stewart that I mentioned that was included in a small number of the first editions was bound between the second and third signatures. A signature is one unit of a book comprising a group of printed sheets that are folded and stitched together. Look at the tops or bottoms of the pages, with the book closed, to see the numerous 'signatures', or groups of pages as they were bound. Look between the second and third signature, or group of bound pages. The Stewart portrait is likely not there, but it is worth a look.
Thanks very much. I didn't know that terminology. I'll check it out.