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Contemporary Reference to Conder Tokens

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:160.00 USD Estimated At:250.00 USD
Contemporary Reference to Conder Tokens
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Denton, M., and T. Prattent. THE VIRTUOSO’S COMPANION, AND COIN COLLECTOR’S GUIDE. London: M. Denton & T. Prattent, 1795-97. Four volumes, bound in one. 12mo, later black half leather, gilt. Original engraved titles for the first four parts; finely engraved frontispiece of "History protecting Medals from the Ravages of Time"; 15, (1) page Index; Wright’s 4-page Observations on Coins; 120 numbered engraved plates, each illustrating both sides of four tokens. Very good. Ex Robert J. Hudson Library. The first four volumes (of eight) of this classic series of plates, and the only comprehensive early work depicting 18th-century English tokens. Issued serially over three years, complete sets are today decidedly rare. The preface proposed to issue "fac-similes of four hundred and eighty different Coins, in four Volumes twelves, with an elegant frontispiece, at the price of twenty shillings." After the four volumes here present had appeared, such a wealth of tokens remained un-illustrated that it was decided to extend the series to eight volumes. The work appeared at ten- to fourteen-day intervals, price sixpence: three plates depicting twelve tokens comprising a number. Given the method of distribution, a later change in publisher (most sets encountered are incomplete), and the proclivity of early collectors to cut up plates to illustrate other books, it is not surprising that few complete sets have survived, especially with the various indexes and other textual enhancements.