Würtzbach Plates on Massachusetts Silver

Würtzbach, Carl. (COMPLETE SET OF MASSACHUSETTS COLONIAL SILVER MONEY). Lee: Carl Würtzbach, 1937. Oblong 4to, original maroon leatherette folder. Blank leaf, 8 printed leaves; portrait of the author; 8 fine facing photographic plates depicting both sides of eighty coins. Addendum slip affixed to seventh leaf. Binding somewhat worn, particularly at spine; contents fine. A scarce and important illustrated record of Würtzbach’s notable collection, prepared for presentation purposes. Würtzbach apparently gave out few copies, however, and most were probably distributed after his death in 1947. Würtzbach dedicated his work “To the lovers and collectors of the most interesting and historically the most important issues of all our colonial and United States coinage.” The excellent plates remain useful for establishing pedigrees. Depicted are coins once in the collections of famous numismatists such as Finotti, McCoy, Mickley, Clay, Bushnell, Davis, Cleneay, Parmelee, Whitman, Winsor, Mills, H.P. Smith, Stickney, Gschwend, Zabriski, Earle, Parsons, Bement, Jackman, Jenks, Ten Eyck, Brand, Clapp, Ellsworth, Hall, Granberg, Col. Green, Guttag, Newcomer, Ryder, DeWitt Smith, Newcomer, T. James Clarke, Stearns, W.S. Lincoln and Dr. Clay. Würtzbach’s collection was purchased by T. James Clarke, passed in turn to F.C.C. Boyd, and thence to John J. Ford, Jr., finally being dispersed in the remarkable October 18, 2004 Stack’s sale. The portfolio’s binding is fragile, and copies are frequently encountered with one or both covers detached. Intact examples such as this are seldom offered. Ex Dr. Jasper L. Robertson Library, with his bookplate.