Special Edition Plated Gschwend Sale

Elder, Thomas L. CATALOGUE OF THE EIGHTEENTH PUBLIC AUCTION SALE OF A SPLENDID COLLECTION OF AMERICAN AND ENGLISH COINS, THE PROPERTY OF PETER GSCHWEND, ESQ. OF PITTSBURGH, PENNA. New York: Daniel R. Kennedy, Auctioneer, June 15–16, 1908. Small 4to, original reddish-brown cloth, gilt. 83, (1) pages + 2 leaves of addenda laid in at end; 1097 lots + addenda lots 1098–1108 and A–BB; 17 fine photographic plates throughout, first with tissue guard. Printed sale announcement dated May 12, 1908 also laid in. Hand-priced in ink through lot 517; occasional pencil annotations. Near fine. Adams 18. The hardcover version of the photographically illustrated edition of Elder’s first blockbuster catalogue. In Elder’s May 1, 1924 sale, he wrote that only six of these hardcovers were produced, and about that many are known today. This example is among the best that we have encountered and includes the rarely seen sale announcement as well as the scarce addenda leaves. The collection itself was of the highest importance. The sale begins with exceptional colonials, many of which are plated: an NE shilling; Higley coppers; a Rosa Sine Spina; two Liber Natus pieces; Maryland silver; and so on. (The NE sixpence appears to be the fake from the Clay sale; this and the threepence were pulled from the auction.) The large cents and half cents include important specimens in remarkable condition. Pattern coins of the 1860s are very well represented. William Hartman Woodin had purchased the collection intact from Gschwend and, after removing a small number of coins needed for his collection, consigned it to Elder. Elder called it “the finest and most important that has been held in this city since the Parmelee sale in 1890.” Originally from Pennsylvania, Gschwend later moved to New York City, engaging in the dry goods business on Fifth Avenue. At the time of the sale, he was one of the few remaining numismatists who had been involved since the heady days following the Civil War. The interesting scattered annotations and notes are sometimes accompanied by “CW” in pencil (doubtless indicating Carl Würtzbach), who was apparently the underbidder on lot 45, a Higley at $275: “I bid 250 CW.” He notes of the 1792 silver center cent and 1792 disme: “Mine from Earle Sale CW.” Lots 126, 127, and 128, expensive 1792 Washington pieces, were bought by him. He also bought a few relatively inexpensive Massachusetts silver coins and deems a few others “Fake.” A nice example of this rare catalogue from the library of a legendary American numismatist. Adams rated A+ overall (“Superb colonials: Rosa Sine Spina, Higleys (2), Virginia shilling, Castorland in gold. Disme, silver center 1¢. Choice Washington patterns & silver. 1865 proof set, 5¢ to $20, in copper. Palmetto medal. First rate copper.” Davis 349. Fanning, Ancient Coins in Early American Auctions, 26. Ex Kolbe Sale 107 (Twinleaf & Other Properties), lot 81 at $5750 hammer.