The Magnaguti Ancient Coins
Santamaria, P. & P. CONTE ALESSANDRO MAGNAGUTI. EX NUMMIS HISTORIA. I: MONETE GRECHE. Roma, 12–13 Ottobre 1949. xxii, 74 pages; 484 lots; plate of monograms; 20 exceptionally fine plates. Prices realized list laid in. [bound with] II: MONETE DELL'AES GRAVE. MONETE ROMANE, DELLA REPUBBLICA E DELL'IMPERO (FINO A NERVA–98 DE C.). Roma, 14–15 Ottobre 1949. vii, (1), 100 pages; 641 lots; 28 fine plates. Prices realized list laid in. [bound with] III: MONETE DE TRAIANO, ADRIANO E LORO FAMIGLIE (98–138). Roma, 26–28 Giugno 1950. vi, 161, (1) pages; 1128 lots; 34 fine plates. Prices realized list laid in. Three catalogues, bound in one volume. 4to, later blue cloth, gilt. Near fine. [with] IV: MONETE ROMANE DA ANTONINO PIO ALLA CADUTA DELL'IMPERO D'OCCIDENTE (138–476). Roma, 23–24 Ottobre 1951. 4to, original printed card covers with integral plate folder. vii, (1) 110 pages; 688 lots; 21 fine plates. Intermittent annotations throughout. Prices realized list laid in, along with valuations sheet and Mark Salton's correspondence concerning his bids for the sale. Binding worn; very good or so. The sole catalogue featuring ancient Greek coins from this magnificent collection, plus all three catalogues devoted to ancient Roman coins. Clain-Stefanelli 1974 & 3680*. Grierson 273. Spring 647–650 [also listed under "Most important sales of ancient Greek coins," "Most important sales of aes grave," "Most important sales of struck Roman Republican coins" and "Most important sales of Roman Imperial coins"]. Founded by Pietro (1863–1930) and Pio (1881–1947) Santamaria in 1898, the firm was continued by Pietro's sons Alberto and Ernesto, and for several years after the war employed Vladimir and Elvira Clain-Stefanelli. The massive collection of Count Dr. Alessandro Magnaguti (1887–1966), catalogued in twelve volumes from 1949 to 1965, was perhaps their greatest achievement.