The Very Rare Carlos de Beistegui Collection

[Beistegui, Carlos de]. Babelon, Jean. LA COLLECTION DE MONNAIES ET MÉDAILLES DE M. CARLOS DE BEISTEGUI. Paris: Les Beaux-Arts, Édition d’Études et de Documents, (1933–1934). 4to, loose signatures and plates, as issued. Housed in a modern clamshell box of tan morocco, lettered in black, to which the gilt-lettered original white box front is mounted. xii, 110, (2) pages; title printed in red and black; 1226 descriptions of coins and medals, the great majority depicted on the 64 very fine plates. Contents fine or very nearly so. The original edition of the catalogue of this remarkable collection, now part of the Cabinet des Médailles at the Bibliothèque Nationale. One of only “80 exemplaires hors commerce” reserved for friends of Carlos de Beistegui. Predominantly comprised of superb gold coins from ancient to modern times and especially rich in important French coins, the first 13 plates are devoted to ancient coins. The photographically printed plates were based on photographs of the coins themselves, as opposed to casts of the coins (as was the common European practice at the time). Jean Babelon’s introduction is charming and heart-felt, and includes his recollections of visiting the great collector in the company of his father Ernest Babelon. Clain-Stefanelli 16534.