I thought it would be interesting to see what books and pamphlets -- apart from pricing catalogs -- exist in the field of paper money and securities. I'm sure most of you have small libraries of references and might be willing to share some specifics on individual publications. I came across one I'd never heard of last month and was able to pick up a copy relatively cheaply. It's a thin paperback, 64 pages, entitled "Beauty and the Banknote: Images of Women on Paper Money" by Virginia Hewitt, published in 1994 by the British Museum -- where Hewitt happened to be the curator of paper money. The writing is fairly academic; Hewitt covers a range of perspectives on women as depicted in allegories, portraits, and in realistic activities. Beauty itself is considered, and how banknotes played a role in defining or reflecting cultural norms. What most collectors will probably like the most, however, are the many illustrations from banknotes around the globe -- 8 color plates and b/w images on most other pages. Hewitt shows a somewhat Eurocentric bias in her choice of notes, and there is a notable lack of U.S. federal currency, though a fair number of engravings from U.S. obsoletes show up. I know of at least a few members of this forum, who appreciate the feminine aesthetic and would also appreciate this book. I was surprised that not a single U.S. library had a copy available for interlibrary loan, probably because it was a niche book, published in the U.K. You can find it through online booksellers starting around $25. So what obscure book do you have in your collection?
Don't have much but I have this It shows a little bit of paper money from around the world. Aside from this I have magazines from the SPMC.
Purchased it, three months ago A short story (56 pages) of Confederate Currency that explains the origin of the various notes issued by the South, putting the money into historical context. Not a complete book, but useful for beginners. Cheap price in Italy, at amazon.it...Eur 7.89 including shipment. Nice color photos petronius
Conversely, I've noticed you can typically get European books more cheaply in the States. Less demand the further away you go.
