I'm wondering if anyone can further identify these printing blocks, which were supposedly used to create images of coins onto a book. The blocks are made of wood with round copper "stampers" (not sure what the terminology is) nailed to the blocks. The images are of the obverse and reverse of very old colonial era coins - one is the Massachusetts Cent and the other is the Willow Tree Shilling. I believe it's from at least the 19th century, judging by how some of the printing blocks look. I even tried searching for antique books online with images of coins that are roughly 1" in diameter that match these in likeness. But after a decent attempt, it was just too much to go through... I believe that the marker writing was added for auctioning off the printing blocks a long while back. Maybe the company went under or they needed newer printing blocks. Not sure what the history is. Does anyone have an educated guess, or perhaps know exactly what these are? Thanks in advance!
The term is "printing plates" and these are probably quite valuable by themselves! Great find and I suggest you contact the nearest legitimate university with an expert in the field to get them authenticated
Those are really really cool. Charles Davis is a dealer in numismatic books, he might be able to help you with identifying what they were used for.
Just a thought... it'd be really neat if these were for the US Mint's publications way back when, as I know they've published historical and spec info on coins before.
I should have probably cited the website I found that info from lol... It doesn't say much on what it is though. https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/737597_printing-block-willow-tree-shilling I'll wait to get some more responses before taking it to an expert.
Okay here ya go: Good news, bad news: 1) they were used primarily be Whitman Publishing for early Red & Blue books. In addition, those for foreign coins, were used in their "World Coins" books. I have a number of them, and they are fairly common. Whoever appraised these for you should be willing to pay that, take the money and RUN! That is a ridiculous valuation, even if it is for the entire lot. I have purchased them for no more than $10 a block, and was once offered [about 10 years ago] a group of about #1,000 or so, for about $1,000 -- he wanted to get rid of them I guess. That was a great price, but, I had no room to keep them. Needless to say, they are sill available, if you know where to search. The story is that during one of the many times that Whitman Publishing was sold, this time late 1960's early to mid 1970's, the company that bought them did not want them, and they were thrown out, along with many other items of Company historical memorabilia. I happen to know one of the individuals (who shall forever remain nameless) who was one of the 'dumpster divers' and 'saved' them for posterity. That said, if you want some more, mostly US at your appraised valuation, feel to PM me, I could use the cash. [Mods: sarcasm, not an offer to buy or sell. or is it?}
PS: If you read my book, they are mentioned on page: 274-275, where I mention prices realized at the time of $12 to $25, except for larger coins that sold for $30 to $40 . The seller that I reference had #200 pieces for sale, and I was offered a total lot. Again, I had no desire to #200 pieces. oops: here is the book: edited
Thanks, not sure what the forum rules are on this, but can you please PM me your book's page that you're referencing? These are the Whitman printing blocks I saw while searching online - I guess they do look similar:
This book may help https://www.whitman.com/store/Inven...he-Official-Red-Book-of-U-S--Coins+079482580X @iPen go to your settings and enable signature lines.
I'm guessing that's Frank's book (?). And, I entered my signature (below)... not sure why though lol.
No you enable signature lines. If you can see mine than you're good. Some people link to websites, eBay stores, or books they've published in their signature line. It's one of the few allowed places to self-promote.
Hover your mouse over your username in the blue bar on the upper-right of this forum's page (not your username next to your avatar), a drop down menu appears. Click "Preferences", and check "Show people's signatures with their messages".
