CATALOGUE OF THE FINEST EXISTING COLLECTION OF AMERICAN COINS, THE PROPERTY OF MR. LORIN G. PARMELEE
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The One Hundred Greatest Items Of United States Numismatic Literature Rank: Number 56
Adams 4, Clain-Stefanelli 12413, Davis 784, Gengerke 4, Sigler 1863
Adams United States Numismatic Literature (#21) confers his highest praise (“absolutely definitive”) on the Parmelee cabinet. Prior to Adams-Woodin's United States Pattern, Trial And Experimental Pieces (1913), the catalog served as a useful resource for pattern collectors, describing over two hundred and fifty specimens. The pre-federal content is a necessary companion to Crosby's Early Coins Of America (#2 on our list), including a number of plate coins from that core reference. Not to be outdone was the federal portion of the collection, replete with an 1804 dollar, 1815 and 1822 half eagles, an 1827 quarter, plus massive amounts of proof gold including the 1844 New Orleans delicacies. Davis notes one hundred deluxe editions of the original catalog, quarter calf with thirteen plates. A well done reproduction, priced and plated, was issued by the B&B Coin Company (Marion, IN) in 1975, to the extent of 250 numbered copies.
Unplated Edition
New York Coin & Stamp Co. CATALOGUE OF THE FINEST EXISTING COLLECTION OF AMERICAN COINS, THE PROPERTY OF LORIN G. PARMELEE, OF BOSTON, MASS.
New York: June 25-27, 1890
96pp, 1,443 lots, no prices realized list issued
Octavo: 24.5 x 15.5cm
Softbound: Gilt printed blue card covers
Gengerke 4:RpH
Adams 4
Plated Edition
New York Coin & Stamp Co. CATALOGUE OF THE FINEST EXISTING COLLECTION OF AMERICAN COINS, THE PROPERTY OF LORIN G. PARMELEE, OF BOSTON, MASS.
New York: June 25-27, 1890
96pp, 1,443 lots, 13 Photographic plates, no prices realized list issued
Octavo: 24.5 x 15.5cm
Hardbound: Black quarter calf, black cloth sides, lettered in gilt, original card covers bound in
Limited to 100 plated copies. Spine is never seen intact. Text on standard sized editions has been trimmed to match the plate size.
Plated Edition, Deluxe Presentation
Photo courtesy of Wayne K. Homren Numismatic Library.
New York Coin & Stamp Co. CATALOGUE OF THE FINEST EXISTING COLLECTION OF AMERICAN COINS, THE PROPERTY OF LORIN G. PARMELEE, OF BOSTON, MASS.
New York: June 25-27, 1890
96pp, 1,443 lots, 13 Photographic plates, no prices realized list issued
Octavo: 24.5 x 15.5cm
Hardbound: Black quarter calf, black cloth sides, recipients name stamped in gilt on upper cover, lettered in gilt, original card covers bound in
There are less than six known presentation copies.[1] Spine is never seen intact. Text on standard sized editions has been trimmed to match the plate size.
Plated Edition, Deluxe Large Paper
Photo courtesy of George Frederick Kolbe - Fine Numismatic Books.
New York Coin & Stamp Co. CATALOGUE OF THE FINEST EXISTING COLLECTION OF AMERICAN COINS, THE PROPERTY OF LORIN G. PARMELEE, OF BOSTON, MASS.
New York: June 25-27, 1890
96pp, 1,443 lots, 13 Photographic plates, no prices realized list issued
Octavo: 25.5 x 18.5cm
Hardbound: Brown three quarter morocco, top page edge gilt, lettered in gilt, original card covers bound in
Text on large paper editions was not trimmed to match the plate size and is a full 3cm wider than the plates.
1975 Reprint
Photo courtesy of Kolbe & Fanning Numismatic Booksellers.
Marion, IN: B&B Coin Company, 1975
96pp, 1,443 lots, 13 halftone plates, priced
Octavo
Softbound: Turquoise card covers
13 halftone reprint plates are included, but also available separately.
References
- ↑ George Frederick Kolbe American Numismatic Society Library Chair Endowment Benefit Public And Mail Auction Sale August 19, 2004, Lot 35.