Vintage Coin Collector's Gift Set (4 Whitman Handbooks, 1944-1963, Provenance)

This curated four-volume vintage coin-collector's gift set brings together mid-century reference titles from Whitman Publishing, long regarded as foundational works in American and British numismatics. The set includes: (1) A Guide Book of English Coins, Second Edition, 1962-63 by Kenneth E. Bressett; (2) Handbook of United States Coins with Premium List, Fourth Edition, 1944 by Yeoman, Hewitt, and Green; (3) an additional mid-1940s Handbook of United States Coins bearing a Harris Auction Galleries dealer stamp; and (4) Handbook of United States Coins, Seventeenth Edition, 1960. Together they offer mint records, valuation tables, coin descriptions, illustrations, and collecting guidance, capturing the state of the hobby during a formative period. Condition across the set ranges from Good to Very Good, with expected exterior wear to boards, some rubbing, and light toning, but all bindings remain secure and interiors clean. Two volumes retain the distinctive Whitman millimeter-scale printed inside the front endpapers, an appealing period feature for collectors. The 1962-63 English coin guide also retains an original Sears, Roebuck & Co. price sticker, and two U.S. volumes carry the Harris Auction Galleries ownership stamp, adding provenance and historical interest to the group. Edition diagnostics include a stated Second Edition of the English coin guide (Whitman #9060); a stated Fourth Edition (1944) U.S. handbook, with wartime-era copyright dates (MCMXLII & MCMXLIV); a mid-1940s U.S. handbook identifiable by design and stamp; and a stated Seventeenth Edition (1960) U.S. handbook (Whitman #9050). No Whitman dust jackets were issued for these hardcovers. Collectively, the set is well-preserved for its age and makes an excellent research bundle or gift for numismatic enthusiasts. Harris Auction Galleries was a mid-century Chicago auction house active from the 1940s into the 1960s. Known for handling estates, antiques, jewelry, and collectible specialties - including numismatics - the firm served as a regional hub for dealers and serious collectors during the postwar boom in the hobby trade. Its presence on these books situates them within the working library of a collector active in Chicago's vibrant mid-century auction scene, adding an appealing layer of historical context and use.…