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The Virtuoso's Companion

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:275.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 USD
The Virtuoso's Companion
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Denton, M., and T. Prattent. THE VIRTUOSO'S COMPANION, AND COIN COLLECTOR'S GUIDE. London: M. Denton & T. Prattent, 1795-96. Six volumes, bound in three. 12mo, contemporary calf. Original engraved titles for the first six parts; finely engraved frontispiece of "History protecting Medals from the Ravages of Time"; single leaf Preface; Continuation of the Virtuoso's Companion ... Issued from the Years 1787 to 1797 leaf; Wright's 4-page Observations on Coins; 15, (1)-page Index; 8-page Index, to the Continuation. 180 numbered engraved plates, each illustrating both sides of four tokens. Bindings worn; covers loose; internally near fine. Finely engraved ex libris J. Bird. The first six 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 had appeared such a wealth of tokens remained un-illustrated that it was decided to extend the series to eight volumes. Initiated by Denton, the last two parts (not present here) were published by Prattent. The work appeared at ten- to fourteen-day intervals, price sixpence: three plates depicting twelve tokens comprising a number. Given the method of distribution, the change in publisher (many sets are comprised of only the first 180 plates), 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.