Kolbe & Fanning
Auction 162 22 Jan 2022
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An Intact First Edition Set of Humphreys
Humphreys, H. Noel. THE COIN COLLECTOR'S MANUAL, OR GUIDE TO THE NUMISMATIC STUDENT IN THE FORMATION OF A CABINET OF COINS... London, 1853. First edition. Two volumes. 12mo, contemporary matching full English calf, sides bordered in blind; spines with five raised bands, ruled and decorated in gilt; red and brown morocco spine labels, gilt; board edges decorated in gilt; marbled endpapers; all page edges marbled. xxiv, 726 pages; 11 engraved plates of coins. Bindings rubbed and somewhat worn, but sound and rather attractive. Very good or better. The first edition of this important collectors' guide, the most popular of its era. The Humphreys Manual appeared in at least eight editions and was still in print at the turn of the 20th century. Sets of the first edition seem invariably to have loose boards and other problems indicative of heavy use. Humphreys (1810–1897) was an artist and book illustrator of note, admired especially for his natural history illustrations. While the work at hand is his most enduring contribution to numismatics, his avocations as numismatist and bibliophile also merged in two other marvelous Victorian productions, his 1850 Ancient Coins and Medals, with gold, silver and copper foil coin facsimiles of ancient coins in full relief, and his 1854–1855 Coinage of the British Empire, featuring handsome chromolithographic coin plates and a limited issue bound in an extravagant papier maché binding, intricately worked to give the effect of engraved oak boards. Manville 381. Ex George and Melvin Fuld Library (Katen, August 15, 1971 sale, lot 36); ex Harry W. Bass, Jr. Library (Kolbe Sale 78, lot 506).
Humphreys, H. Noel. THE COIN COLLECTOR'S MANUAL, OR GUIDE TO THE NUMISMATIC STUDENT IN THE FORMATION OF A CABINET OF COINS... London, 1853. First edition. Two volumes. 12mo, contemporary matching full English calf, sides bordered in blind; spines with five raised bands, ruled and decorated in gilt; red and brown morocco spine labels, gilt; board edges decorated in gilt; marbled endpapers; all page edges marbled. xxiv, 726 pages; 11 engraved plates of coins. Bindings rubbed and somewhat worn, but sound and rather attractive. Very good or better. The first edition of this important collectors' guide, the most popular of its era. The Humphreys Manual appeared in at least eight editions and was still in print at the turn of the 20th century. Sets of the first edition seem invariably to have loose boards and other problems indicative of heavy use. Humphreys (1810–1897) was an artist and book illustrator of note, admired especially for his natural history illustrations. While the work at hand is his most enduring contribution to numismatics, his avocations as numismatist and bibliophile also merged in two other marvelous Victorian productions, his 1850 Ancient Coins and Medals, with gold, silver and copper foil coin facsimiles of ancient coins in full relief, and his 1854–1855 Coinage of the British Empire, featuring handsome chromolithographic coin plates and a limited issue bound in an extravagant papier maché binding, intricately worked to give the effect of engraved oak boards. Manville 381. Ex George and Melvin Fuld Library (Katen, August 15, 1971 sale, lot 36); ex Harry W. Bass, Jr. Library (Kolbe Sale 78, lot 506).