LOT #20470 |
Sold on Apr 21, 2021 for: Not Sold
A Modern "Presentation" Book With All 31 Original Specimen Notes.. ... (Total: 31 notes)
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Description
A Beautifully Bound "Presentation" Book
A Modern "Presentation" Book With All 31 Original Specimen
Notes.Thirteen of these books were presented in May of 1866 to President Andrew Johnson, his cabinet, and several other dignitaries. Twelve presentation books have been definitively traced to this date, seven of them from the original presentation group, two others with Spencer Clark's name on the cover, and three with either missing or blank covers, which may or may not have been part of the presentation group. Our best estimate is that sixteen originally existed: the census group of twelve and four others, which may or may not still exist. Of the census group, three are impounded in museums: the ANA, the ANS, and the Smithsonian. Accordingly, a Fractional Currency presentation book is the ultimate acquisition for any collection of Fractional Currency. The most valuable of these are the big-name books such as President Johnson's, Spinner's personal book, and Johnson's better-known Cabinet Secretaries'. The currently offered book is not an actual presentation book. It is the exact size, and is a replication of the original book. All 31 notes are in spectacular condition save for two tiny missing corner tips on the Third Issue Green Back. All 31 of these are without question original to a presentation book. The notes have been dismounted from the original book and placed in crystal clear, high quality holders that have been cut to size for each individual note and mounted to the appropriate pages. The book itself is an extremely high quality, identical copy of the original books. The gold leaf spine reads "Specimens of United States Fractional Currency." The book's covers are leather, in a regal purple color, enhanced with intricate gold leaf. The pages are entirely new, and the book is the most attractive, highest quality of any of the known books. Using conjecture and probability, we believe we have the story of this great item. One of the very active collectors from the '70s and '80s acquired a coverless presentation book. His son was a professional book binder. This cataloger believes these notes came from that coverless book and were placed into this newly created, magnificent copy by the collector's son. The notes have 100% of their original size and color, and are wholly free of the foxing and staining generally associated with these books. The page edges are brilliantly gold leafed, and the entire book fits in to a custom designed slip cover with a printed spine. The book itself is not an 1860s product. It is likely from the 1980's. All the notes are in incredible condition that surpasses those in any of the seven or eight books that this cataloger has examined. Collectors have often speculated that the sum of the notes is more valuable than the book itself. We will find out this evening as we are presenting a reproduction book of very little value and all 31 notes of great value. A real challenge to estimate. (Total: 31 notes)
From the Tabacco Family Collection
View all of [The Tabacco Family Collection ]
Auction Info
2021 April 21 - 23 Central States Currency Signature Auction - Dallas #3582 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
April, 2021
21st-23rd
Wednesday-Friday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 0
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 879
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
20% of the successful bid per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | Currency Grading Tutorial
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | Currency Grading Tutorial