UNITED STATES COPPER CENTS 1816–1857
From NBSwiki
The One Hundred Greatest Items Of United States Numismatic Literature Rank: Number 17
Clain-Stefanelli 12326, Davis 747
“The highest pinnacle for numismatic completeness,” per Sheldon, Newcomb represents a substantial reworking of Frank Andrews’ monograph on the same subject, first published in 1881, and finishing 122nd in our survey. Both were labors of love, Andrew said to have labored on his chef d’oeuvre for twenty years, while Newcomb betrays that “I have long looked forward to completion of this task.” Newcomb honored Andrews’ effort, retaining the previous nomenclature and adding new numbers only for unpublished varieties. Unlike Andrews, Newcomb’s text is hand scripted, an unusual feature for any book, but one which seems to create an intimacy with Newcomb himself – it is almost as if we are reading his personal notebook. While the eleven halftone plates are typical for the period (that is to say, adequate), these can be easily supplemented with modern auction catalogs such as Naftzger or Robinson Brown.
1st Edition, Standard
Photo courtesy of Wayne K. Homren Numismatic Library.
NEWCOMB, Howard R. UNITED STATES COPPER CENTS 1816–1857.
New York, NY: 1944
284pp, 11 halftone plates
Quarto
Hardbound: Maroon cloth, lettered in gilt
An addenda sheet is available.
Limited to ~750 copies, original retail price $5. [1]
1st Edition, Deluxe, Thin Paper
Photo courtesy of Charles Davis Numismatic Literature.
NEWCOMB, Howard R. UNITED STATES COPPER CENTS 1816–1857.
New York, NY: 1944
284pp, 11 halftone plates
Quarto
Hardbound: Full red morocco, lettered in gilt
Limited to ~75 copies, original retail price $10. [1]
1st Edition, Deluxe, Thick Paper
Photo courtesy of NBS Member.
NEWCOMB, Howard R. UNITED STATES COPPER CENTS 1816–1857.
New York, NY: 1944
284pp, 11 halftone plates
Quarto, 31 x 24.5
Hardbound: Full red morocco, lettered in gilt
Limited to ~25 copies, original retail price $15.[1]
2nd Edition
Photo courtesy of Charles Davis Numismatic Literature.
NEWCOMB, Howard R. UNITED STATES COPPER CENTS 1816–1857.
New York, NY: 1956
284pp, 11 halftone plates
Quarto
Hardbound: Maroon cloth, lettered in gilt
3rd Edition
Photo courtesy of Mark Borckardt Numismatic Library.
NEWCOMB, Howard R. UNITED STATES COPPER CENTS 1816–1857.
New York, NY: 1963
284pp, 11 halftone plates
Quarto
Hardbound: Red leatherette, lettered in gilt
1973 Reprint
Lawrence, MA: Quarterman, 1973
246pp, 11 plates
Quarto
Hardbound: Blue cloth, dust jacket
A new foreword by Eric Newman.
1981 Reprint
Photo courtesy of Mark Borckardt Numismatic Library.
Photo courtesy of Mark Borckardt Numismatic Library.
Lawrence, MA: Quarterman, 1981
284pp, 11 halftone plates
Quarto
Hardbound: Brown cloth, lettered in white, dust jacket
New foreword and commentary by John D. Wright
1985 Reprint
Lawrence, MA: Quarterman, 1981
284pp, 11 halftone plates
Quarto
Hardbound: Light brown cloth, lettered in black
Updated and a new price guide by John D. Wright
1986 Reprint
Photo courtesy of Steve Shupe Numismatic Library.
Long Island City, NY: Sanford Durst, 1986
284pp, 11 halftone plates
Quarto
Hardbound: Maroon leatherette, lettered in gilt
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 George Frederick Kolbe, "Numismatica Americana: The John J. Ford, Jr. Reference Library, Parts 1-2", Part 1, Lot 695, June 2004.