Mommsen, Théodore. HISTOIRE DE LA MONNAIE ROMAINE. Trans. le Duc de Blacas; continued by J. de Witte. Paris: Rollin et Feuardent, 1865–1875. First edition. Four volumes, complete. 8vo, contemporary matching tan half calf with marbled sides; spines with five raised bands, ruled and lettered in gilt; black morocco lettering pieces, gilt; all page edges speckled red. (2), clxviii, 415, (1) + xi, (1), 559, (1) + vi, 564 + (2), li, (1), 117, (3) pages; folding table; 40 fine plates of coins, engraved by Dardel. Binding somewhat worn and rubbed; second volume lacking top of spine covering. Contents near fine. The French edition, translated and augmented by the Duc de Blacas and Baron Jean de Witte. Rare: when we sold this set in our sale of the RBW Library, it was the first original set we had offered in over 25 years. Babelon, page 145: “The Duc de Blacas, the owner of a fine coin cabinet and one of the first, along with the Duc de Luynes, to be involved with the Archaeological Institute in Rome, published some papers on numismatics between 1862 and 1865. He is mainly remembered today for his annotated translation of Theodore Mommsen’s Histoire de la monnaie romaine, published on his behalf after his death by his friend Baron Jean de Witte.” Bassoli, page 47, where he describes Mommsen as “a man who dominated nineteenth century European numismatics with his unshakeable reputation.” Ex Frederick W. Madden, who recorded his outrage at seemingly being slighted by omission in the extensive bibliography included in the first volume. Recording his contributions in pencil, he notes, “This omission of my name here & elsewhere in these volumes ... is scandalous & must have been done on purpose.” Clain-Stefanelli 3625*. Ex Third Joint Kolbe/Spink sale (1984), lot 489; ex RBW Library (Kolbe & Fanning 2016 New York Book Auction), lot 193, where it realized $3000 hammer.