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Rare Third Volume Issues of the American Stamp Mercury & Numismatist

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:65.00 USD Estimated At:100.00 USD
Rare Third Volume Issues of the American Stamp Mercury & Numismatist
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Trifet, F. [publisher]. THE AMERICAN STAMP MERCURY AND NUMISMATIST / THE AMERICAN STAMP MERCURY. Vol. III, Nos. 3, 4, 5, 8-9, and 10-12. As published in five issues. Boston, 1870. 8vo, original printed wraps. Some a bit weak at spine; one with detached front cover; generally very good. Rare Vol. III issues of this early periodical. While Vols. I and II are fairly common, Vols. III and IV are rarely encountered. It was not until over half-way through Vol. II that the publication's name was changed to include "and Numismatist," and the subsequent content reflects this broadened interest. Writings of numismatic interest in subsequent issues include proceedings of the New England Numismatic and Archeological Society and the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Montreal; articles on "Copper Tokens" and "Curious Brunswick Dollars"; a request for assistance from Ed Cogan is cataloguing a few pieces from the Allan silver cabinet; "The Massachusetts Coinage" and "Our Half Cents" by H.E.W. [Harlow E. Woodward, W. Elliot Woodward's son]; continued attacks on Mason & Co.; etc. The inclusion of numismatics apparently did little to increase circulation and the publication reverted to philatelic content only after July 1870, undoubtedly much to the satisfaction of Ebenezer Locke Mason. In the January 1871 issue of Mason's Coin and Stamp Collectors' Magazine, Mason notes that Trifet and Company had "gone up" and lamented the $2 they owed him. The first two volumes were issued in special hardbound editions and examples come to market on occasion. Volumes III and IV, however, are rare. This is unfortunate, as the most interesting numismatic content appears in the third volume, present (mostly) here. The issue constituting Nos. 8 and 9 is erroneously numbered 7 and 8. Attinelli 103. Ex Isaac F. Wood, with his name on three issues.