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.

Lot 94 is an extremely rare 1724 work attributed to Jonathan Swift entitled ” A Defence of the Conduct of the People of Ireland in Their Unanimous Refusal of Mr. Wood’s Copper Money.” Again, it is from the Bushnell library and is prominently cited in Crosby’s 1875 “Early Coins of America.” No institutional copies of this rare second edition were located. The estimate is $5,000.

Lot 150 is an outstanding example of Guillaume Du Choul’s illustrated 1555 & 1556 works on ancient Roman coins, religion, and military camps, bound in remarkable n armorial leather-bound volume dated 1558. The estimate is $10,000

Lot 162 is the rare 1524 second edition of the first illustrated numismatic book, Andrea Fulvio’s “Illustrium Imagines.” Estimate $4,500.

Lot 193 is a remarkable copy of Antoine Le Pois’s well-illustrated 1579 work on ancient Greek, Jewish, and Roman coins in a superb French red morocco binding decorated in gilt, executed by one of the most famous Parisian bookbinders of the period. The estimate is $8,500. [Lot 193 TIFF]

Lot 270 is and exceptionally fine set of the most comprehensive work ever written on the coinage of a single country, namely King Victor Emmanuel’s monumental twenty folio volume set of “Corpus Nummorum Italicorum,” published from 1910 to 1943. Dr. Bassoli’s set is remarkable in that it features an original edition of the twentieth volume, a gift from the King’s son. This final volume never advanced beyond the “proof” stage and perhaps a dozen or fewer copies are extant today. The estimate is $12,500. [Lot 270 TIFF]

There are many other outstanding books in the two sale catalogues and, if desired, high quality images of other books depicted in the catalogues may be obtained by contacting Alan Meghrig at tech1@numislit.com