September 16, 2020 09:00 AM PDT Annex
31
Jacob R. Eckfeldt & Wm Dubois, New Varieties of Gold and Silver Coins
Jacob R. Eckfeldt and William Dubois, New Varieties of Gold and Silver Coins, Counterfeit Coins and Bullion; with Mint Values. Assayers of the Mint of the United States. [vignette of two coins] Philadelphia: Publ by the Authors and for sale by the Principal Booksellers; also at the Agencies of Adams & Co at Panama and San Francisco, 1850. Collation: Front, [1]title, [2]copyright (1849 and printer's imprint, [3]4-60[61]text, [62]blank. 7 1/4 x 4 5/8 in. Plates: Steel engraved frontispiece of U.S. Mint with tissue guard; between pp.24 & 25, plate of "California and Mormon coins" on blue paper with illustrations of coins embossed in gold. Page 45: Two genuine samples of California gold mounted on the page. Binding: Original blue paper boards with gold gilt lettering and illustrations of gold coins on front cover and silver lettering of table of contents and coins on rear cover. All edges gilt. References: Cowan I, p.76; Cowan II, p.191; Eberstadt 114:139; Holliday 335; Howell 74; Kurutz 217a; Sloan, Gold Rush 55; Streeter 2629; Wheat, Books, 67.
Eckfeldt and Dubois' work ranks as one of the top rarities in numismatic literature. The authors privately published this pamphlet in reaction to the many counterfeit coins that were surfacing following the California gold rush. The front free endpaper is inscribed: "F. Peale Esq with respects of The authors, Feb 14: 1850, "making it one of the first copies distributed. Noted collector T.W. Streeter calls this "an important reference book for the beginnings of gold mining in California." Pages 21 to 31 describe four varieties of California coins produced at San Francisco mints. Following page 60 is an inserted leaf with information on Mormon coins just received. Certainly the plate of embossed gold coins and the page with mounted specimens of California gold make this slender publication especially desirable. The introduction to the 1851 second edition states, the first edition "was designed as a convenient and authentic manual for individuals or institutions dealing in the precious metals and especially those engaged in the California trade."
Processing and shipping within the continental U.S. $25.00 plus 1.5% replacement cost insurance. Witherell's strives to provide as much information and photographs as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Condition statements are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Witherell's. All lots are sold "AS IS" under terms and conditions. Please be advised we do not provide porters nor packing materials for pick ups.
Condition:
Several text pages show damp staining. Covers show moderate wear along the edges and slight creases on both text covers; tear on rear cover.
Array
(
[live_biddable] =>
[inquire] =>
[phone] =>
[phone_bid] => 0
[sold] => 1
[unsold] =>
[make_offer] =>
[estimate] => 1
[timer] =>
[current_bid] =>
[asking_bid] =>
[start_price] => 1
[buy_it_now_price] =>
[bid_activity] =>
[bid] =>
[high_timed_bid] =>
[purchase] =>
[following] =>
)
Estimate:
$2,500 -
$5,000
Price Realized Including Buyer's Premium
$3,933
09/16/2020
Have a Similar Item?
Consign With UsWitherell strives to provide as much information and photographs as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Condition statements are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Witherell. All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms and Conditions. Methods of payment are cash, check, money orders, or wire transfer for foreign payments. Please note we do not accept credit cards. This auction has a buyer's premium of 15%.
