Summer 2019 Literature Auction, Lot: 223. Estimate $350. Sold for $210. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

[Ratto] R. Ratto, Lugano. Monnaies byzantines et d’autres pays contemporaines a l’époque byzantine… La plus riche et la plus vaste collection privée. (Lugano, 9 December 1930). 4to. 151 pages, 2701 plates; 68 fine plates of coins. Bound in full red cloth, with a printed list of estimates bound in, spine gilt. From the library of Joel Malter with his ex-libris on the front pastedown. Fine condition, the boards rubbed and marked, internally browned with some repairs to the page edges, else clean throughout. The rarely offered original edition of Rodolfo Ratto’s extensive collection of Byzantine coins. A remarkable collection and an essential reference.

Clain-Stefanelli 5424*. Grierson pp. 109 & 289, “Catalogue de vente abondamment illustré; essentiel comme instrument de travail.” Kroh p. 94, “a MAJOR reference due to the enormous scope of the collection… Originals of this catalogue are very rare.” Spring 549, listed as number one in the “Most important sales of Byzantine coins”, as well as being listed under the “Most important sales of coins of the barbarian migrations”. Website shipping rates do not apply.

From the Numismatic Library of a Major North American Dealer. Ex Malter Galleries Inc., Auction #88 (4 June 2006), lot 1599.