A Fine Collection of American Literature and History

Albany, N.Y: Joel Munsell/London: Trubner & Co., 1858. First edition (one of only 200 copies printed). 4to. viii, 151, (5) pp. Illustrated with five color plates. Publisher's three-quarter brown morocco over brown pebbled cloth-covered boards, stamped in gilt, lightly soiled, upper portion of spine perished, front board detached; old gift inscription on a front blank. Lot includes: Rep. No. 82: Assay Office, Gold Districts N. Carolina & Georgia. (Washington D.C.), February 15, 1831. Printed Congressional Report.

First edition of the first substantial work published on American coins. John H. Hickcox (1832-1897) was a librarian and bookseller, who worked at the New York State Library and the Library of Congress in addition to being a numismatist. He writes in his preface, "The design of this work is to give an account of the legally authorized coinage of the United States of American, during the periods of their colonial history and their existence as a united republic. Nothing as comprehensive has heretofore been attempted..."