Sale: CNG 73, Lot: 2048. Estimate $50.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 13 September 2006.  Sold For $30. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Humphreys, H.N. Ancient Coins and Medals. (London, 1850.) iv, 208 pages, with 10 plates and facing coin descriptions. The coin plates are done in Barclay's process, in which transfer dies of the coin types were deeply impressed into heavy paper, then mounted on thick cardboard, the resulting raised relief designs then given a thin metallic foil coating in the proper color for the original metal. As this volume demonstrates, the process was a failure; the foil discolored and flaked, rendering many of the plates illegible and also leaving dark stains on the facing pages. Brown half leather with marbled boards, gilt morocco spine title. Fair condition due to plate deterioration, but an interesting experiment in numismatic publication.