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Kolbe & Fanning
Auction 159  6 Mar 2021
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Lot 247

Starting price: 250 USD
Price realized: 1100 USD
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First Edition Set of Forrer's Biographical Dictionary of Medalists
Forrer, L. BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF MEDALLISTS, COIN-, GEM-, AND SEAL-ENGRAVERS, MINT-MASTERS, &C. ANCIENT AND MODERN, WITH REFERENCES TO THEIR WORKS, B.C. 500 – A.D. 1900. London, 1904–1930. Eight volumes, complete. First editions [Volume I is the revised printing of the first edition]. 8vo, original matching dark blue half morocco; spines with five raised bands, ruled and lettered in gilt; marbled endpapers; top page edges gilt. 5278 pages; numerous text illustrations. Original text pages a bit browned, as usual. Second volume cracked with sprung signatures; sixth volume with text block detached from binding. Very good. [with] Martin, J.S. [compiler]. BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF MEDALLISTS BY L. FORRER. INDEX. London, 1987. 8vo, original blue cloth, gilt. viii, 312 pages. Fine. Comprehensive and indispensable, this enduring work provides valuable information on coin and medal engravers and their work from ancient to modern times. Printed on high acid content paper and bound in half leather that is often fragile, the original edition is often usable only with great care: the present set is in above-average condition. Only 300 sets of the original edition were printed. Clain-Stefanelli 14115*. Grierson 256. Modesti 806. With the indispensable subject index to Forrer's work, which is arranged by engraver. Joan Martin's index, published posthumously and the result of ten years of diligent work, adds greatly to the utility of Forrer's magnum opus.
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