Vattemare, Alexandre. COLLECTION DE MONNAIES ET MÉDAILLES DE L’AMÉRIQUE DU NORD DE 1652 À 1858, OFFERTE A LA BIBLIOTHÈQUE IMPÉRIALE TANT AU NOM DU GOUVERNEMENT FÉDÉRAL ET DES CITOYENS DES DIVERS ÉTATS DE L’UNION AMÉRICAINE QU’EN SON PROPRE NOM... CATALOGUE AVEC NOTICES HISTORIQUES ET BIOGRAPHIQUES. Paris: Imprimerie de Ad. Lainé et J. Havard, 1861. 12mo, later black quarter morocco with marbled sides; spine ruled and lettered in gilt; original printed paper covers, with printed hors commerce label, bound in. 134, (2) pages. Original postal wrap showing the address of P.O. van der Chijs, signed by Vattemare and bearing the ink stamp of the Systèm International and the handwritten postage paid, trimmed and mounted to opening blank. Very good or better; binding fine. A fascinating copy, this was sent by Vattemare to Dutch numismatist Pieter Otto van der Chijs, author of De munten der Nederlanden, van de vroegste tijden tot aan de Pacificatie van Gend (Haarlem, 1851–1866), a still-indispensable nine-volume reference work on the coinages of the Low Countries. Van der Chijs clipped the original wrapping in which it was sent, preserving his name and address, but also Vattemare’s signature, the ink stamp of the Système d’Échange International (with the initials “A.V.” in the center), and the handwritten “10 cent” postage amount. Vattemare’s System of International Exchanges was initially aimed at the exchange of duplicate books between libraries, and was later extended to include works of art, maps, natural history specimens, coins, medals and other similar objects. He came to America in 1839 and again in 1847, and was granted funds by Congress and by several state legislatures to further his scheme, which met with greater success here than in Europe. This elusive 1861 work describing American coins, medals and tokens from 1652 to 1858 was written to complement the collection given to the Bibliothèque Impériale (Nationale) in the name of the government and citizens of the United States. Following an interesting historical overview, from colonial issues to pioneer gold, some 381 pieces are described in detail. P.O. van der Chijs was the foremost Dutch numismatist of his day; some of the pencil annotations record additional American coins in the numismatic cabinet at Leiden. “Alexandre Vattemare is recognized among American numismatists as one of the fathers of the discipline in the New World, having assembled the first comprehensive collections of American coins, medals, and paper currency, and produced the first comprehensive catalog of American numismatics.” — Alan Stahl, in The Extravagant Ambassador: The True Story of Alexandre Vattemare, the French Ventriloquist Who Changed the World. Ex P.O. van der Chijs Library; ex Schulman Numismatic Library; George F. Kolbe 1997 fixed price list; ex Wayne Homren Library.