THE 52 COLLECTION. PARTS I AND 2

Stack s

Published by New York, 2011

4to, exceptionally well bound in full black morocco by Harcourt Bindery; front and rear covers bordered with double gilt fillets, with front cover lettered in gilt; spine with five raised bands, ruled and decorated in gilt; green and red spine labels, lettered in gilt; original pictorial card covers bound in; top page edges gilt. 202 + 242 pages; 781 + 886 lots; illustrated throughout in color. Prices realized lists bound in. Fine. The 52 Collection was conceived by Bruce Roland Hagen, whose personal collection provided much of the material that formed it. The first sale focused on Art & Security on American Paper Currencies. Obsolete currency proofs, particularly ones that used geometric lathe designs, were highlighted, as were other forms of security printing on paper money and related documents. The second sale focused on Iconic Imagery on American Paper Currencies. The artistry of obsolete currency vignettes was highlighted here, with special sections devoted to particular symbols and themes. Beyond the material offered within, the 52 Collection sales are important as masterpieces of the art of the catalogue. While Hagen served as chief cataloguer, the talents of others were also utilized both for writing and production. Todd Rawson, a New York artist, was commissioned to oversee the catalogues design, an unusual step that resulted in catalogues about artistry that were themselves forms of artistic expression. After the completion of the second sale, five volumes were bound by Sam Ellenport of Harcourt Bindery, each incorporating both catalogues. This particular copy was the only one produced for sale, with the others being subscribed to by various parties involved in the project. It was sold for the benefit of the ANA and ANS Libraries at the 2011 ANA Auction held by Stack s Bowers Galleries, where it sold for $2587.50. This is only the second time that a copy has been offered for sale. Seller Inventory # 7435

Bibliographic Details

Title: THE 52 COLLECTION. PARTS I AND 2
Publisher: New York
Publication Date: 2011
Binding: Hardcover