How many are familiar with this name ? Probably not as many that should be given his important contributions to the field of Numismatics and literary works. Recently I offered for sale at auction and Original, 1885 copy of the " Visitor's Guide to the U.S. Mint , Philadelphia. I had purchased this copy sometime back in the late 80's in an Auction Style format and won the item with a bid of $ 265.00 . It is a tremendous piece of Mint History. This specific copy , is the full Deluxe version, which highlights over 1900 Fine engravings. The more common 1885 copies list only 1600 Fine engravings. A.M. Smith was one of America's early Coin Dealers and one of the first to write and publish Numismatic references . Acquiring copies of all his works, has been a challenge for many notable numismatists. Collecting an example of each title, at this time is probably an almost impossible task . It is a challenge to understand the titles of his publications as often one will find different titles appear on the cover, from the title on the spine or inside covers. Such is the case with my personal copy . The spine ( in Gilt ) reads " Visitors Guide to the U.S. Mint " , while the cover reads " Visitor's guide to the U.S. Mint Philadelphia and the inside cover reads " " Visitor's Guide and History of the United States Mint, Philadelphia, PA. subtitled " Current Coins of the World "Colonial and Continental Currency, Ancient Greece and Rome. The book elaborately illustrates each mint department, the business routine, all Scientific and Mechanical operations in every stage of the work, the wonderful machinery, rare Coins, Relics, and curios in the cabinet. What sets my copy apart from those usually found, is the Binding, which is the " Full Russian Leather " example with the additional total of engravings, which are usually noted as 1600 and not 1900 . I decided to test the " Waters" so to speak, by recently offering this for sale through the EBAY auction venue. To somewhat of a surprise, I had not a single offer. I can only surmise that with the availability of the Internet, collectors disregard the importance of having a copy in a personal library. I find that sad . I have also attempted to sell other great Numismatic references , such as Crosby's " Early Coins of America " reprint 1965 by the Token & Medal Society , and a copy of Von Bergen's " Rare Coin Encyclopedia " published in 1899 . These are incredible Numismatic references , that seem to be disregarded with collectors these days. I wonder how many know who Smith, Crosby or Von Bergen were, not to mention any of their accomplished works . Sad. I would challenge any Y/N to start to build your own Personal Library of Important Numismatic Literature, instead of depending upon the Internet to being your only source of information. The book I mentioned in my thread topic, I'll try once more to see if I can't encourage someone to take advantage of a " RARE " offering . Should anyone from this thread be interested, you may see my listing on EBAY, or contact me directly through my e-mail here.
I recognize A M Smith and Crosby (I may have a copy of the 1965 reprint you mentioned. I have three different editions but I don't remember which ones.) I think I have one work by A M Smith but I don't recall the title. I don't recognize Von Bergen.
That is his middle name. Andrew Madsen Smith. Actually the original birth-name was Schmidt, I believe.
Coinman, I would recommend photos of the interior of the book and close ups concerning its condition. That is what rare book collectors will want to see. I collect items like these, but for ancient coins. I am not sure its totally disinterest because of the internet. There are serious collectors of books like this, US books too, but I would either repost your auction with much better specific pictures of this book or consign it to someplace like Kolbe and fanning numismatic book auctions. If this book were on a topic I wanted, paying $285 for such far away photos and not knowing better the books condition, I would not put a bid in either, unless I knew the title was worth $1000 and I was willing to take a gamble.
Easier said than done. You can have a look at the EBAY Listing. Item # 270665925658 The books condition is VF++, which is far better than any of the last recorded sales. Trust me, I would not be asking $265.00 for a book that is falling apart. Also, you won't see any photo's in any numismatic literature auction, simply the assigned grade. If I had the equipment, I sure would have added some close up's , but I don't , so I can't. I'm not spending more money to have this professionally photographed. I'm probably going to take a loss as it is.
Ok, I was just offering selling advice. I looked at the listing, that is why I was commenting. Something unusual like this maybe would be better served being listed in a specialty auction.
The is one listed on worthopedia, which has some inside photo's, my copy is one hundred times better than that one. Thanks for the selling advice.
I just happened to come across a past article about the very same situation I am attempting to address here. Folks will easily spend $1000.00's of dollars on a coin, but when it comes to spending , say $50.00 on a reference book, you need a dentist . I look at it this way, my reference material's are my Investment. The tool I use to hopefully make educated purchases either in the coin or paper collector's market. Very few Y/N's appreciate this practice . Recently, I just invested approximately a little over $300.00 in reference materials. It's a never ending necessity for me, and hopefully, I can convince just one other Y/N .
I agree with medoraman, either a few more pics or consign to a Auction(ex. Kolbe,Davis,etc).To add extra pics doesn't cost much to add on Ebay( I believe 15 cent a shot).Did you use a digital camera? I have a nice copy of Von Bergen's "Rare Coin" and a 1945 reprint of Crosby's "Early Coins of America".
It's not the cost of pictures, rather it is the capability to photograph. I have no equipment. Of course I would have offered better pictures if I could have.
well, if you offered the books, both the Smith and the Von Bergen either: 1) I was tired that day and missed the listings. or 2) the prices were too high. I do collect them, I have several of Von Bergen's and one or two of the Smith books. How much were you asking for them? I have seen them with silly prices and ignore such listings. for example, there was recently a Von Bergen listed for over $100, for a $10 book.
Frank, I only listed the A.M. Smith copy. The Von Bergen 1899 Rare Coin Encyclopedia, has just been mentioned in a recent edition of CW. They suggested a value of approximately $40.00 . I've done my research in recent auctions and that price is probably on target. The A.M. Smith however, is a much more Rare piece of Literature. THis particular copy has not presented at auction probably in over fifteen - twenty years at best. What I am offering it for at auction, is exactly what it cost me, when I purchased it. The point I'm trying to make here, is that very few Y/N's have any appreciation for such literature. They would more easily spend a $1,000.00 on a coin purchase, than to seriously consider spending $50.00 on a book, that they would have to sit down and read. They, IMHO have no patience for it. Regardless, whether my book sells, or not is not the issue, rather the noticeable lack of interest in such Numismatic Treasures are. You should recall, when I purchased your authored edition of the Red Book, and your Pattern nickel.. It's an important piece of Numismatic History, and worth every cent of my cost. I , treasure such items more so than some of my coins. I'm not strapped for money and have no real urgency to sell anything from my library. However, every so often I like to test the waters, so to speak. More and more , the lack of interest is increasingly disappointing . I have some very old and good friends that are Dealers in such Literature, and a recent conversation with one, confirms the interest in such offering's is probably at it's lowest it has ever been .
That's because most coin collectors are exactly that, COIN COLLECTORS. They are not numismatists, nor are they numismatic bibliophiles. I have known many collectors who are very proud of their "libraries". They buy a new Redbook EVERY year.
I am not so sure that the numismatic literature market is so bad. I have put in good bids in auctions this year, (good bids meaning at least estimate), in excess of $10,000 and have only purchased about $3,000 worth. Ebay is not a very serious location for good numismatic literature, so I don't count there. I have bought excellent deals there since there isn't a lot of competition. Consign serious books to serious auctions and you will reach hundreds of people like me who spend thousands a year on books.
Consign serious books to serious auctions and you will reach hundreds of people like me who spend thousands a year on books.[/QUOTE] Your missing my point entirely. But thanks anyway.
