Questions re numismatic literature (auction catalogues).

tjc2120 · August 16, 2009 10:41AM

Today I found a used book store near my house with over 150 auction catalogues (mostly from the 80s and 90s) and a few other books.

I bought the Bowers and Merena May 20-22, 1996 Eliasberg Sr auction catalogue. I also picked up a 1971 redbook, the 1977 ANA grading Standards for US Coins signed by (I think) QDB and An Illustrated Guide to US Commerative Coinage by Don Taxay, 1967.

Are there any other sentinel auctions catalogues I should look for to pick out and buy? What are some of the forum members recommendations?

Thanks

mdwoods · August 16, 2009 11:41AM

I think there is a catalog of a 1989 Sale of Jack Robinson's Large Cents that is very nice. Good for attribution.

Aegis3 · August 16, 2009 11:54AM

The first thing I did when I saw that was try to figure out if this used book store would be anywhere near me. Apparently, it isn't.

So, for the real answer, it depends what coins you are interested in, mainly. Important general catalogs from the 80's and 90's would be Garrett, Eliasberg, Norweb, and Pittman. I'd also consider any summer ANA sales. Other people's views may differ on this one; I can easily go overboard on these.

Beyond these you go into specialist areas. But some suggestions in that timeframe:

Bowers & Ruddy/Merena: Henry Clifford, Virgil Brand, David Dreyfuss, Frederick Taylor, Harry Bass, Walter Childs
Christie's: Byron Reed
Kagin's: Van Cleave
NASCA: Kessler/Spangenberger
Sotheby's: Gene Reale, SS Central America
Stack's: John Rper, Richard Picker, Amon Carter, Floyd Starr, Harold Bareford, Jimmy Hayes, Herman Halpern, Oeschner, Steinberg, Lovejoy, Reed Hawn, James Stack, John Whitney 1796
Superior: Wayne Miller, Robinson Brown, Jack Robinson, Roger Cohen, many other copper-based cataloges, Trompeter.

Actually, I think my best advice would be to get some free time, park yourself in the store, and decide which ones you would want.

pruebas · August 16, 2009 11:58AM

Within the 1980s-90s time period you mentioned, for US coins in general (not specific series), the following are considered important:

Bowers & Ruddy:

The 4 Garrett sales (1979-81)
The 2 Brand sales (1983-84)
The 3 Norweb sales (1987-88)
The Eliasberg gold sale (1982)

Bowers & Merena:

The 2 Eliasberg sales (1996-97) [one of which you already got]
The 4 Bass sales (1999-2000?)

David Akers:

The 3 Pittman sales (1997-99?)

MidLifeCrisis · August 16, 2009 12:30PM

The answer really depends on your areas of interest. I will echo other comments and say:

Any (all) of Stack's series of the John Ford Sales
- John J. Ford’s collection contained over 11,000 coins, tokens, medals and other numismatic items covering all aspects of American numismatics - except regularly issued federal US coinage. This massive collection was sold by Stack’s in a series of 21 auctions for over $56 million.

Stack's sale of the John L. Roper, 2nd Collection
- John L. Roper, 2nd, was "a prominent Virginia industrialist and public figure". He assembled one of the finest collections of colonial era coins ever to come to public auction. The coins were sold by Stack's in December 1983.

Bowers and Ruddy's series of Garrett Collection sales

Bower's and Merena's Eliasberg Collection Sales

Bowers and Merena's series of Norweb Collection sales

MidLifeCrisis · August 16, 2009 12:47PM

I just saw the OPs note that the catalogs were mostly from the 80s and 90s. Still, if you find any from the Ford sales, you should grab them.

savoyspecial · August 16, 2009 1:00PM

Stack's held the Amon Carter sale in 1984 and produced a quality catalog

Likewise for the 1985 Bowers and Merena treatment of the Abe Kosoff estate

EagleEye · August 16, 2009 1:41PM

1983 Doyle Galleries "Loy Lauder" sale is a very obscure but interesting catalog.

Ms. Lauder assembled a super us/colonial/pattern type set through Abe Kosoff when he was getting some phenomenal stuff.

MidLifeCrisis · August 16, 2009 1:47PM

<< <i>1983 Doyle Galleries "Loy Lauder" sale is a very obscure but interesting catalog.

Ms. Lauder assembled a super us/colonial/pattern type set through Abe Kosoff when he was getting some phenomenal stuff. >>

Indeed...this is one I need to get for my own collection.

tjc2120 · August 16, 2009 1:50PM

Thanks for all the input and suggestions.

I will head back later this week for a more compreshensive look to see what I can find.

My interests in numismatic reading are varied, although my collecting interests are more focused due to my budget.

speety · August 17, 2009 4:04AM

The Amon Carter and James A Stack auction catalogs are worth a nice premium.

shorecoll · August 17, 2009 5:23AM

Generally catalogs with high-grade plated copper, bust halves, colonials (high grade meaning VF+), etc. generally carry some premium. Anything with Morgans you can burn (joke), book burning should be a capital offense.

tjc2120 · December 27, 2009 12:27PM

Actually, I think my best advice would be to get some free time, park yourself in the store, and decide which ones you would want.

So I finally did just that - amazing how time flies with family and work. Here is what I picked out today.

Stacks:
Jimmy Hayes Collection of US Silver October '85
Richard Picker Collection of Colonial and Early American Coins October '84
John L Roper Collection of Colonial and Early American Coins December '83
J. Peirport Morgan Greek and Roman Coins September '83
Robison Collection of US Silver, Coper and Colonial Coins February '82
Robison Collection of US Gold Coins February '79

Bowers and Ruddy:
W Foster Schreeder Collection April '79
Donald F Herdman Collection December '77
Henry H Clifford Coins of the American West March '82

Bowers and Merena:
Selections from the Boyd, Brand and Ryder Collections March '90
Four Landmark Collections Hagle, Grinder Rudduck, Bebee March '89

Not many of the names mentioned above but these all seem very interesting and will help me through this winter.

Cheers

savoyspecial · December 27, 2009 12:55PM

well done! i know alot of collectors after that Roper catalog

shorecoll · December 27, 2009 11:37PM

You did well with Picker, Roper and some of the others.

MidLifeCrisis · December 28, 2009 3:27AM

<< <i>You did well with Picker, Roper and some of the others. >>

I agree. Nice pick-ups.

Questions re numismatic literature (auction catalogues).

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