Summer 2019 Literature Auction, Lot: 88. Estimate $10000. Sold for $8000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

[Traité] Babelon, E. Traité des monnaies grecques et romaines. (Paris; Librairie Ernest Leroux, 1901-33). Three parts complete in five text and four plate volumes. Comprising; Première partie. Theorie et doctrine. Tome premier. Paris, 1901. 4to., pp. vii, 1206 double columns, (604 pages), errata, 37 text illustrations; Deuxième partie. Description historique. Tome premier. Comprenant les monnaies grecques depuis les origines jusqu’aux guerres médiques. Paris, 1907. Thick 4to., pp. iv, 1,670 double columns (836 pages), text illustrations; Tome deuxième. Comprenant les monnaies de l’empire des Perses Achéménides, de l’orient sémitique et de l’Asie-Mineure aux Ve et IVe siècles avant J.-C. Paris, 1910. Thick 4to., pp. iii, 1,559 double columns, (782 pages), errata, text illustrations, (2); Tome troisième. Comprenant les monnaies de la Grèce centrale et meridionale aux Ve et IVe siècles avant J.-C. Paris, 1914. 4to., pp. vi, (1), 1143 double columns (572 pages), a few illustrations in the text; Tome quatrième. Comprenant les monnaies de la Grèce septentrionale aux Ve et IVe siècles avant J.-C. Paris, 1932. 4to., pp. iv, 1,099 double columns (550 pages), (2); Troisième partie. Planches I à LXXXV. Paris, 1907. 4to., pp. (4), iii, (1), 85 very fine plates; Planches LXXXVI à CLXXXV. Paris, 1910. 4to., pp. 8 double columns, (4 pages), 100 very fine plates; Planches CLXXXVI à CCLXX. Paris, 1916. Reprinted, 1967. 4to., pp. (4), 6 double columns, (4 pages), 85 scanned plates; Planches CCLXXI à CCCLV. Paris, 1926–1932. 85 very fine plates

. All nine volumes uniformly bound in recent maroon cloth, black morocco titles to spines, gilt. With a hand written letter dated July 2nd 1900 bound into the first volume and sent on behalf of the publisher, Ernest Leroux, to an unnamed recipient (perhaps Babelon?) enquiring after the preferred paper format and stating that the previous paper specimens did not meet with Mr Leroux’s approval and that new examples were being sent for his consideration. Very Fine condition. An attractive set of Babelon’s magnum opus, originally conceived of as a complete corpus of Greek and Roman coins and described by Clain-Stefanelli as Babelon’s ‘greatest work.’ Rarely offered, especially complete and in such fine condition as here.

Clain-Stefanelli 1809*, “An unfinished but monumental work, indispensable for the scholar.” Daehn 19. Kroh p. 8. Grierson p. 45-46, “Une mine de renseignements sur toute l’organisation monétaire antique.” And p. 52, “Conçu d’après un plan monumental, mais inachevé. Couvre l’ensemble de la Grèce classique, sauf la Grande Grèce et la Sicilie, jusqu’à l’avènement d’Alexandre le Grand.”, . Website shipping rates do not apply.

From the Numismatic Library of a Major North American Dealer.