On January 9th, 2010, George Frederick Kolbe/Fine Numismatic Books will offer for sale at public auction the remarkable numismatic library carefully assembled over seven decades by the New York numismatic firm founded by brothers Morton and Joseph and ably carried on by Norman, Benjamin, Harvey, Susan, and Lawrence Stack. For over fifty years, the fabled American portion of the library has resided in antique bookcases lining one wall of Harvey Stack’s office, and along the opposite wall as well. Other portions of the library were, for many years, located throughout the main floor of the firm’s New York City retail location at 123 West 57th Street and many of the great classic works on ancient and foreign coins and medals were carefully arranged on the second floor in the Coin Galleries offices. Covering virtually all aspects of numismatics and replete with rarities, it is the finest comprehensive working library on numismatics ever formed in the United States.

Key works from this magnificent library will be sold at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City in conjunction with the New York International Numismatic Convention this coming January. The profusely illustrated catalogue will be arranged in two parts: rare and classic works on American coins, medals, and tokens, and key works on ancient, medieval, and modern numismatics. Copies of the catalogue may be reserved by sending $35.00 to George Frederick Kolbe, P. O. Drawer 3100, Crestline, CA 92325. Telephone: (909) 338-6527; Fax: (909) 338-6980; Email: GFK@numislit.com. The catalogue will also be accessible free of charge several weeks before the sale at the firm’s web site: www.numislit.com. (more…)

George Fuld, Alan Meghrig, and George Frederick Kolbe are pleased to announce publication of a new book listing in detail all known specimens of the Silver Getz half-dollar, the Getz 1792 copper “cents,” and the related 1797 Getz Masonic medals. Based on the early researches of Jack Collins, the work was brought to fruition by George Fuld, with assistance from Alan Meghrig and George Kolbe. It is a meticulous census of all specimens known, accompanied by pedigrees, auction records, weight, diameter, condition, detailed descriptions, and other pertinent data. Copies will be produced on a high quality laser printer and will feature full-color enlargements of virtually all of the pieces described.

Although estimates of the number known of the Getz issues have varied widely, the author has been able to trace probably twice as many pieces as had been previously estimated. Twenty-two different Silver Getz 1792 half-dollars are listed, as are fifty-five different Copper 1792 “cents” and twenty different Baker 288 1797 Getz Masonic medals. The consensus of early estimates of the number of Getz copper issues struck was about one hundred. This is obviously quite low as a retention of over fifty percent of a two hundred year old issue is quite improbable. Certainly, not all Getz survivors have been located and information from collectors who might have an unlisted specimen is welcomed.

Two chapters in the book cover new aspects of Getz material. There is a thorough discussion of the unique Getz silver large eagle (Baker 23). It is condemned as a non-contemporary production from about 1850. Also, the story of the Washington Ladle is presented for the first time to the numismatic world. The fascinating details surrounding the 1797 presentation of this buffalo horn ladle by George Washington to Francis Preston are given in detail. The ladle had in its bowl a silver specimen of the Getz Masonic medal dated 1797.
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On January 10th, 2009, George Frederick Kolbe/Fine Numismatic Books will offer for sale at public auction the highlights of two outstanding numismatic libraries, both remarkable for their exceptionally fine overall condition. They will be sold at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City in conjunction with the New York International Numismatic Convention. The first 72 page catalogue features 100 lots of rare and classic works on American numismatics, with some fifty full color illustrations.

Lots 1-75 are from The Twinleaf Library and lots 76-100 are the property of several additional consignors. The second 108 page catalogue, with over one hundred full color illustrations, is comprised of 175 early printed numismatic books and classic titles on Italian coins and medals from the library of Dr. Ferdinando Bassoli of Turin, Italy, numbered from 101 to 275.

Further information on any of the lots that follow may be found in the two catalogues, both of which are accessible at our web site.

Lot 1 is an extremely rare original 1881 Frank Andrews work on U. S. Cents, 1816-57, one of only forty copies issued and one of as few as eight to ten copies known to have survived. It is the first work to cover the later date cents. The estimate is $8,500.

Lot 41 is S. H. Chapman’s Own Superb Plated 1921 J. M. Henderson auction sale catalogue, one of only a half dozen known and perhaps the finest to have survived. The 4 superb photographic plates depict outstanding United States large cents and half cents. The estimate is $12,500.

Lot 88 features the first two works on American medals, published in the 1830s and arranged in a leather-bound volume and annotated by Charles Ira Bushnell, one of America’s most famous 19th century numismatists. The estimate is $5,000. (more…)