Sale: CNG 75, Lot: 2473. Estimate $50.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 23 May 2007.  Sold For $65. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Ratto, R. Monete Romane Imperiale (Federico Werth et al). (Milan). 4-6 June, 1913. 1553 lots, 9 photographic plates, tissue guards. Significant Roman Imperial coins, in all metals. Blue half leather with marbled boards, raised bands and gilt spine title, original printed card covers bound in. Fine condition.

Ex libris Domenico Rossi. The history of the numismatic house Ratto in many ways mirrors that of many numismatic firms of the 20th century. Rodolpho Ratto, born in Genoa in 1866, was an established coin dealer by the age of twenty, and conducted his first coin auction in 1895. In 1900 he opened an office in Milan, and by 1910 had transferred his auction business to that branch. Like many European firms, Ratto found the atmosphere in Switzerland more conducive to business, and had moved to Lugano in 1907, opening a foreign branch there in 1921 and holding auctions in that city from 1924-1934. The Milan office continued in operation, probably in reduced circumstances due to the unsettled situation in Italy. They issued periodic lists at least through 1944.

Meanwhile, Rodolpho’s son Mario had taken over the firm of Henri Rolland in Paris in 1928, holding sales under his own name and issuing lists until 1939, when Vinchon bought him out. Mario returned to the family firm in Milan, taking over the company upon Rodolpho’s death in 1949, with his brother Aelio keeping an office in Lugano. The firm of Mario Ratto held sales in Milan from 1952-1972, and then the auction house revived briefly in the 1990’s, conducting several more sales until 1996.